Dual boot win 7 and ubuntu pc hdd has i/o bad block errors but scans reveal no problems

Yes it is a WD disk and I used the WD utility.
Can you list the steps to do, "make sure you have connected the disk to another PC running Windows, and you haven't started from the OS on the disk" please?  Thank you!
Mark88

He meant this:

Use the UBCD tool to create a bootable CD. Boot from that CD, then run the disk scan tools.

Almost. There are 2 versions of the WD diagnostic tool. The one that runs from the UBCD runs in it's own environment which is similar to DOS. You wouldn't have any issues running that diagnostic, as your HD wouldn't be used for anything else.

The other version is a windows utility you can start from within windows. But you can't use it to diagnose the same disk you are running it from. So if you are using this tool you must start it from a PC running windows from another PC, then use it to scan your failing disk which is also connected to that other PC.

What user that's not already an expert would have the knowledge or hardware to do that?

Please stop suggesting such a "solution" - there are several disk diagnostics that can run from a bootable CD, DVD or USB stick. Just a few examples are UBCD, Bart, Riplinux, and System Rescue CD.

Ok.  What if I run the hdd scan but still nothing is found?

Run the other tool I mentioned, HDDREG. Or clone the disk to another one and if you don't have any issues with the new disk, you'll see there's a problem with the original. I have seen some situations where the disk had a problem and yet it's diagnostic utility didn't show any problems. So the diags aren't a "catch all" tool.

I tried to download ubcd and all I got was spyware

When you click on the download link of the UBCD site, scroll down to "Download Mirrors". In that section click on one of the icons that looks like a hard-disk. That should download the iso file of the UBCD and nothing else. If one of the mirrors doesn't do that, select the icon I mentioned from another mirror.

here a direct link :  http://ubcd.mirror.fusa.be/ubcd511.iso
you can also reseat all connectors, or hook the drive to another sata port

You know Netrolller3d, I wonder if that's the issue.  I have been unable to find GOOD quality sata cables around.  They never fit tight on the board or the hdd.  

Do you know where to get good ones?  Ive tried many and they just dont make it.

Mark88

i have (not yet) had any problems with them

I think this is the link: http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/download.html

Mark, i already posted the real direct link to UBCD download

Thank you, Nobus. Im at work and I tried that link and it's blocked ---Web Category Blocked
This Web site is in a category that represents a potential information security risk to the Corporation and has been blocked by Corporate Information Security.Blocked URL: http://ubcd.mirror.fusa.be/ubcd511.iso.

But the other one http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/download.html I am actually able to browse to here at work.

Not sure what that's all about.

>>  Information Security.Blocked   <<  they block anything they deem possibly harmful
in this case, there's no reason

Netrolller3d, I went to microcenter and paid the $5 for a new sata cable.  The issue seems to be fixed, but I have to watch the performance awhile.

you can lower your internet explorer security settings, if you wan to access it without that popup

Still have not seen the i/o errors.  It appears the issue was the hdd cable.  But Im afraid to close the question yet.  What do you guys think?  Has it been long enough yet?  Mark88

if younpost an update every 3-4 days you can keep it open longer

ok

lets hope it's ok, and was a bad contact - could be a plug not fully inserted

Exactly.  Well I guess I'll close this for now.

Thank you.  I do see one system hdd event viewer error for an hdd controller since I replaced the sata cable whenever I did that.  Not bad compared to a whole bunch.  Thank you techs for thehelp.<br />Mark88