BleepingComputer.com: Is a failing hard drive salvageable?

Every so often I am getting the "blue screen of death". Usually when I'm watching videos like on Youtube. It'll freeze, the screen turns blue with yellow jibberish and I have to restart. I am assuming it's my hard drive going bad. If my hard drive is failing is there a way to fix it? I have my Windows CD and will reinstall if that will cure the problem. If not, is there anything I can do other than purchase a new hard drive?

I'm not a computer whiz by any means so any help is appreciated!

Hi, first step...let's see what your error messages might reveal , then we might have a better idea of what's going on.

Download/install BlueScreenView, http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html.

Double-click BlueScreenView.exe file.

When scanning is done, Edit/Select All...then File/Save Selected Items. Save the report as BSOD.txt.

Open BSOD.txt in Notepad, copy all content, and paste it into your next reply.

Louis

Hey, first of all thanks for responding! I ran the program and here is what I got:

==================================================
Dump File : Mini052210-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/22/2010 4:08:50 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xa9c68ffc
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7ddb706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini052210-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini050710-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/7/2010 10:13:21 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa2cc200
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7dd0706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini050710-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini032310-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/23/2010 7:03:10 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa02eb40
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7daf706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini032310-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini031710-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/17/2010 12:06:02 AM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xa9fb5ffc
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7dd2706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini031710-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini031410-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/14/2010 11:38:54 AM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xa9f9effc
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7df5706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini031410-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini030610-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/7/2010 12:21:38 AM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa590000
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7e6c706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini030610-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini022810-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/28/2010 5:25:07 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xa9adaffc
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7d8f706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini022810-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini022410-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/25/2010 12:28:11 AM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa02e840
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7665706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini022410-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini022310-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/23/2010 11:34:39 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa007cfc
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf77a1706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini022310-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini022110-02.dmp
Crash Time : 2/21/2010 10:31:20 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xa9d11d40
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf752c706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini022110-02.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini022110-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/21/2010 2:09:43 AM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xa9fee7c0
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf77ed706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000003
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini022110-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini021810-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/18/2010 2:56:07 AM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xa9cdc2c0
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf75ef706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini021810-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini092709-01.dmp
Crash Time : 9/27/2009 9:00:30 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa63fcc0
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf7a33706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini092709-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini032709-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/27/2009 11:10:09 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa474ffc
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf79e8706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini032709-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini032009-01.dmp
Crash Time : 3/20/2009 11:10:52 PM
Bug Check String : PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
Bug Check Code : 0x10000050
Parameter 1 : 0xaa4a5ffc
Parameter 2 : 0x00000000
Parameter 3 : 0xf78d3706
Parameter 4 : 0x00000000
Caused By Driver : ati2mtag.sys
Caused By Address : ati2mtag.sys+1706
File Description : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Product Name : ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.
File Version : 6.14.10.6727
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini032009-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini072608-01.dmp
Crash Time : 7/26/2008 3:44:46 PM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x100000d1
Parameter 1 : 0x00000000
Parameter 2 : 0x00000002
Parameter 3 : 0x00000000
Parameter 4 : 0xf77589b0
Caused By Driver : ALCXSENS.SYS
Caused By Address : ALCXSENS.SYS+109b0
File Description : Sensaura WDM 3D Audio Driver
Product Name :
Company : Sensaura Ltd
File Version : 5.10.00.3508
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini072608-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini021908-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/19/2008 9:57:15 AM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x100000d1
Parameter 1 : 0x00000000
Parameter 2 : 0x00000002
Parameter 3 : 0x00000000
Parameter 4 : 0xf76339b0
Caused By Driver : ALCXSENS.SYS
Caused By Address : ALCXSENS.SYS+109b0
File Description : Sensaura WDM 3D Audio Driver
Product Name :
Company : Sensaura Ltd
File Version : 5.10.00.3508
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini021908-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini070805-01.dmp
Crash Time : 7/8/2005 4:28:18 AM
Bug Check String : DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x100000d1
Parameter 1 : 0x00300016
Parameter 2 : 0x00000002
Parameter 3 : 0x00000001
Parameter 4 : 0xf81898de
Caused By Driver : ALCXSENS.SYS
Caused By Address : ALCXSENS.SYS+538de
File Description : Sensaura WDM 3D Audio Driver
Product Name :
Company : Sensaura Ltd
File Version : 5.10.00.3508
Processor : 32-bit
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini070805-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 2600
==================================================

Appears to me that your video and audio drivers are culprits...what makes you think that your hard drive is faulty?

I would uninstall the ATI video drivers and the audio drivers (using Device Manager) and then install fresh ones and see if that stops the BSODs.

Louis