HDD not detected and gets detected intermittently

[oldtalltree]

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

[ShaneWard]

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,

[fzabkar]

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

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

WCASU5927634
WD5000AVVS-63ZWB0
500 GB WD AV-GP SATA Hard Drive
Out of Limited Warranty
10/14/2011

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.

[HaQue]

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

I would be replacing the drive.