"surface test failure,HD about to fail?

It could mean your HD is about to fail. I suggest you go to the Maxtor web site and download their diagnostic utility. If that shows simular results to tufftest call Maxtor support and see if they will replace the drive. You should contact Maxtor even if you don't run their utilities. Please make sure you backup your files to CD or another drive before the HD totally fails.

If you go http://www.maxtor.com/Maxtorhome.htm and look at "Software and Utilities for Maxtor Hard Drives: and check out Powermax v3.04. It will test the hard drive in a non-destructive way. That will be your ultimate test. Make sure you reviewthe instructions on running Powermax.

Although from your description it sounds like the drive is toast.

Thanks Norm

First things first! Get your data protected. Copy it to another drive, burn it to disk, back it up to tape, whatever. The drive may not be on the verge of death, but there is no way it is reasonable for a new drive to have surface test issues. That said, your diagnostic software may be in error or being "overly cautious". I would get Maxtors drive testing utility and run it. If the error repeats, you can fill out an RMA right there online. The error code their diagnostics produces seems to be awfully important to them...so make sure to record it. If the Maxtor Diags don't report an error, I'd contact Maxtor tech support and express your concern.

The drive failing would be bad...but it failing and you losing all your data would be much worse. Take care of that immediately...then get a new drive.

Diagnostic Program - $29.95

New Hard Drive - $100.00

Your Data - $$$$$$ Priceless

(Buy a new drive.)

Maxwell

I doubt your drive is failing as the Maxtor utility has shown, as suggested backup your data regularly.
I'd continue to test with Maxtors utility weekly rather than a third party app.

As for the BSOD your OS is causing this not your hard drive, make sure IE5 is updated with all the security updates, suggest you be at IE5.5 SP2, visit the Microsoft Explorer home page to get the proper updates.
You mention being online most of the day using chat programs, is your antivirus up to date & are you running a firewall?
Your crashes & BSOD are more likely caused by not having a very secure PC, chat programs & P2P programs are notorious for security problems. Have a look through this site & the many links.

http://www.wilders.org/index.htm

As others have said. BACKUP WHAT YOU
DON'T WANT TO LOSE. NOW!!!!
Go to Maxtor site and download the test
software. I think it is calledc Max Blast. Run the
recertification test. If there is a problem you
will find it with this software. Youwill be asked
by Maxtor if you have used this to check your
drive.
BACKUP
BACKUP
BACKUP

Once a drive starts to lose blocks it is just a
matter of time.

Good Luck Lee

This question was closed by the author