Dell complaints

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject:

How many times do I have to say this? 9090 is a VENDOR diagnostic. It is not going to say something is wrong if it isn't.

There is almost no such thing as one bad sector. When sectors start going bad, they keep going bad. Chkdsk and reinstalls move things around, but it is only a matter of time before the places they moved things to go bad too. This has been demonstrated over and over again.

It is ludicrous--if not criminal--for Dell to assert that error code 7 means nothing. Considering they get the drives for free--each carries a 5-year vendor warranty--and Dell grumbles about replacing them within ONE year, and doesn't replace them at all beyond that unless you pay extra.
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FallenAngel · Emperor of Dellhateology Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1606

CHKDSK /R is A TRICK/A MANIPULATION, and nothing more. It is NOT a fix or a cure. Anyone that tells you different doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

Simple manipulation to reallocate data to KNOWN WORKING/KNOWN VALID sectors, while writing the bad sectors as zero, or "zeroing out" the bad stuff. IT DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE.

It delays it.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Your drive, whatever vendor, WILL FAIL AGAIN. You can count on that as easy as death and taxes.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 11:00 pm Post subject:

See above. I've never had a sector "go bad" on a 10yo Maxtor, or the 10yo Seagate before that.

Like I said, one sector doesn't just "go bad". When Windows can't read its boot files, you don't really need a diagnostic to tell you the drive is failing.

There are nearly-microscopic exceptions, like if it happened during a power outage. WXP can destroy itself if power is interrupted during boot, I've seen it happen twice. But in 10 years of Cental Texas power outages, and IE6/Flash lockups requiring hardware resets, my W98 image is still intact and working, and speaking to you now.
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FallenAngel · Emperor of Dellhateology Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1606

I'm just so amazed at the number of people in and out of the field that claim this is a "fix". It fixes nothing. It merely tricks the system and hard drive to possibly boot again if you're lucky.

Dell will always use this (as I suspect other OEM's as well), and say that the drive is not bad just had a bad day but this CHKDSK /R will "fix" it. Or talking to "technicians" who claim with equal verve that this will "fix" the ailing drive. I've engaged in heated exchanges with these types so many times I lost count. It just makes me want to punch them right in the side of the head.

You can't "fix" bad eyes with glasses - you can only trick your eyes into working a little better. Same application. It's not a "fix", it's a trick.

biff's buddy · Graduate Dellhater Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 63

while chkdsk /r is is not a fix for a failing HD, it will often allow the victim to load windows and recover data (for a $129 DOC fee). The most useful aspect of chkdsk /r is the time it takes to run, offer to stay on the call and presto you have a 45 minute break on Dell's dollar.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject:

Recognizing that the only absolute in computers is that anything is possible, chkdsk can fix certain filesystem anomalies, like stranded sectors a program might have abandoned on unexpected shutdown. But it sure the hell can't fix 9090 fail codes.

According to my drive guy, Windows will refuse to start if it takes more than one try to read boot files. That's sort of a safety, that lets you know something is wrong before the drive becomes completely unreadable. Even Windows assumes that if it's struggling to read boot, the drive is failing.
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manofice · Discovering Dellhate Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 1

I have a hdd that is going bad etc, I used error code 4 by a 90/90 and dell said thats odd because they don't see that error with laptops, lol. But he replaced the hdd anyways.

Frm_GTS_Tech · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

All I can add to any of the above comments is that when you get a Fail Return Error Code running the 90/90 HDD Test, you will need to replace out that hard drive. The CHKDSK process is only for trying to retrieve data if possible. To any customers out there, please remember to constantly back up your important data on your hard drive. You will not regret it.

easystreets · Discovering Dellhate Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Windows forced update followed by blue screen of death. Temporarily remedied with a reboot and chkdsk run. Upon next reboot, hung at mup.sys (http://www.aitechsolutions.net/mupdotsysXPhang.html). Ran diagnostics, return error code 7 - am assuming that means drive is going downhill fast or gone and not a problem with mup.sys - opinions?

Several attempts to get past that in a stepped reboot with no avail. Could care less about the drive - want the data. As the drive that failed is the boot, am thinking of picking up a SATA-USB enclosure and trying to read what I can back off. Anyone tried this or have suggestions (no flame please- I know, I know, should have done a more recent backup).

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

This isn't a flame site. It's policy.

Windows gives you warnings your HDD is disintegrating, by not booting. What it does, is refuse to read boot files which require error correction. They're still readable, and most data on the drive will be at that point.

Acquire a new drive, install Windows and its drivers, then hookup the old drive as a slave or secondary and retrieve files.

Programs have to be reinstalled from their source discs, they cannot transport from one drive to another.
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easystreets · Discovering Dellhate Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

So I popped the drive out, ran chkdsk /r, recovered all data and am now thoroughly backed up. Ran chkdsk a second time just to make sure I wasn't confused - no bad sectors reported. I would assume this means the drive is OK - first run through caught a bad index. Whaddya think?

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

No, drive is not OK. Fail codes are hardware. Chkdsk fixes errored files but it does not repair hardware. Drive replacement will be required. You may be able to put it off, but you cannot prevent it.
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FallenAngel · Emperor of Dellhateology Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1606

Yeah, this is where the bulk of users fail themselves by thinking that it's "fixed" now. It is not fixed by any means. It is simply back to a functioning state, FOR NOW.

It is not fixed.

It WILL need to be replaced.

metroman · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:41 am Post subject: Hard Drive Fail Return Code 7

Hi,
After just getting my laptop up and running again, I thought that I would do a diagnostic check on my Dell Dimension 8400 system. When it completed this, it failed with the Return Code 7. Do I now have to get a new HDD for this machine? I have just ran chkdsk and there were no problems found. Thanks
Martin

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject:

The count of failed sectors tends strongly to increase over time, and not very much time either. So yes, you will need a new drive shortly.
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