Hi Guys!

So this is what's happening with my new Windows 7 PC (Just a few weeks old):

1.) System hangs (with exception of mouse) for 5 to 10 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. During this time the hard-drive makes a spinning noise.

2.) If I switch off the power during this and restart the machine I get the 'Select Proper Boot Device' message. When this happens I see the following under SATA configuration in BIOS:

Sata port 1: Not present
Sata port 2: Not present
Sata port 3: Not present
Sata port 4: Not present

So it does not detect the HDD!!

After sometime the machine boots properly again. At this time the SATA configuration is as follows:

Sata port 1: Not present
Sata port 2: Not present
Sata port 3: Not present
Sata port 4: WDC WD5000AVVS

Now it is detecting the HDD out of the blue.

I thought initially that it was the SATA cable which was creating the issue, so I replaced the SATA cable but nothing has changed. I also ran a CHKDSK but to no avail.

Tests Done:
---------------
I downloaded and ran seatools for windows but it did not work properly. It gets stuck.

I later downloaded the 'Data Lifeguard Tools 11 for Windows' from here:
http://support.wdc.com/product/download ... =3&lang=en

It returned the following results:

Test Option: EXTENDED TEST
Model Number: WDC WD5000AVVS-63ZWB0
Unit Serial Number: WD-WCASU5927634
Firmware Number: 01.01B01
Capacity: 500.11 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: FAIL
Test Error Code: 08-Unable to repair bad sectors.
Test Time: 17:45:33, November 22, 2014

I am confused as to what is causing this and what possibly my next step could be. Is there anything else that I can do? Or is there no other way other than to replace the drive? Could taking it to a technician help? Any help would be highly appreciated!

System details are as follows:
------------------------------------

OS Name: Windows 7 Ultimate Service pack 1
System Type: x64-based PC
Processor: Intel® Pentium® CPU G2030 @ 3.00GHz, 3000 Mhz, 2 Cores, 2 Logical Processors
Bios Version/Date: American Megatrends Inc. 4.6.5
SMBIOS Version: 2.7
Disk: WDC WD5000AVVS-63ZWB0 ATA Device
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT610
File System: NTFS

Best to use a new drive to book windows off, then attach the old drive to a external enclosure then try and connect it. Once it works copy all your important stuff off and then bin the drive,

The PC may be new, but the drive is old.

https://wdsupport.wdc.com/warranty/warr ... sttype=end



Try cleaning any oxidisation from the preamp contacts.

Oxidisation on Western Digital PCBs:
http://www.alexsoft.org/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=649

Examine the drive's SMART report with a tool such as CrystalDiskInfo.

http://crystalmark.info/software/Crysta ... dex-e.html

Look for reallocated, pending, or uncorrectable sectors.

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

You don't have any warranty for the new computer??

I would be replacing the drive.