Smart Failure

[Gail Sakaida]

Hi Everyone...
I've been having an error message: "Smart Failure Predicted on Primary/Master Warning: Immediately backup your data and replace yourhard disk drive. A failure may be imminent"... This happens whenever I turn my computer on. I need to hit F2 then it goes to my desktop. I just got a new drive but can't install it because I can't seem to get into Safe Mode to do a scan disk BEFORE installing the new drive (I don't want it to copy any bad files,etc. I also don't know which programs are running to turn them off!).
Anyone got this "smart failure" message, or does anyone know how I can get into Safe Mode? Also, after I install the new drive, do take out the so called bad drive? I'm not a techy :( but I keep trying.
Thanks!!
Gail

[John-Thomas Gaietto]

Gail,
I take it you mean Safe Mode for windows? If so hit F8 before the windows Splash screen which will get you into safe mode. However an alternate route would be to use Norton Ghost to Ghost your files on to the NEW hard disk (which does file and bad sector checking during the disk image) and see if this fixes the problem. With ghost you'll be able to boot off a floppy disk so as to avoid any issues your currently having with your disk. Hope this helps... if so please don't forget the points.