Hi freeman2002,

To answer your questions:

1, Dell PC Checkup reports genuine errors related to the hardware. To confirm the same, we can run Pre-Boot System Assessment. Follow the steps to run ePSA diagnostics:

    i.Restart the computer by tapping F12 key.

   ii.In the boot menu screen select Diagnostics in the list and hit enter.

  iii.If the diagnostics displays an error, please reply with the right error message.

2, SeaTools for Windows is a good alternative to test Seagate hard drives. Please use the following link to download SeaTools for Windows: http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/#

3, The failure of SMART Short Self-Test indicates and imminent failure of the hard drive. Please back up important data from the hard drive.

4, Hard drive replacement is recommended since the test has failed. Replacement hard drive from any vendor would suit for the system.

I would need the service tag of the system to check the specifications of the hard drive that was shipped.

Please private message me the service tag of the system and name of the registered owner. I will check the system records and assist you further.

Please click on my username and add me as a friend. Send me a direct message with the requested information.

Reply for further help.

Re: Dell Inspiron 1545    HDD = Seagate ST9320325AS; out of warranty.

Greetings,

To review, I first ran Dell’s PC Checkup and found a Targeted Read Test Error while reading sector 37903309

(Error code: WHD20-JYC).

  After I submitted my issue yesterday (12/6/2012) to this forum, I ran Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities Media DVD that came w/ my laptop (choosing Custom Test>HDD) Here are the results:

Confidence Test: error code 0F00:1332: Msg: Disk - block 37903426 (of 618890976):

Interrupt Request (IRQ) did not set in time.

  I restarted the Confidence Test 10x over the next 2 hours.  Each time, the test ran for 10 minutes and then reported the same error message, with the only change being that the block number increased by 128 each time.

  I then aborted the Confidence Test.  The Device Quick Check returned the same IRQ error, at which point I aborted all testing.

I then ran a chkdsk/r from Command Prompt (as an administrator).

The only findings I found of significance in the Wininit log from Computer Management were:

-- CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5).in which it reported Cleaning up 31 unused index entries from index $SII / $SDH of file 0x9; Cleaning up 31 unused security descriptors.

-- In the summary at the conclusion of the report, the Wininit log reported 4 KB in bad sectors

(Wininit has been reporting 4 KB in bad sectors for the last year or so).

Consider this:

PC Checkup reported a Targeted Read Test Error while reading sector 37903309;

Dell Diagnostics’ Confidence Test started to report errors at block 37903426, then subsequently at 128 block intervals.

I assume it is reasonable to assume that the fact that both tests cite similar sector/block locations is indicative of a 'real' problem (and not a false positive).

I will run the Pre-Boot System Assessment / ePSA diagnostics tonight & post the results tomorrow (Saturday).

Thank you for the SeaTools link – I’ll run that as well.

Thanks again for your help!