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I performed a hard drive test using an online check. Unfortunately I can't remember the site and I cleaned the pc with CCleaner which deleted the History.

The check diagnosed that the HDD speed is only 70% of what is considered "normal" for my HDD.

1. Should I be concerned ?

2. Is this a sign of HDD failure that's on its way ?

3. Is it more a matter of the site trying to push its software and I really don't have anything to worry about ?
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You are correct that online scans can be iffy. Most of them I don't trust especially if they are trying to sell you something. If they are trying to sell you a solution I would be suspicious because I have never heard of 3rd party software controlling hard drive speed. I don't even know if the operating system can. It is however hard to say without knowing what site you used. If you are concerned that something is wrong with the drive you should download the manufacturer's diagnostic software and it is always a good idea to have it backed up. I might be able to help you more if I knew more about your computer, especially make/model and, since this refers to your hard drive, the drive brand/type/size. Did it just give you a percentage or did it also include a rate in terms of revolutions per minute (rpm). Does your computer seem slow to you? How did you learn about this site? Was it from a pop up? If it was a pop up it might not have even really scanned your computer. If they are trying to sell you something don't buy it.

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Thanks for the reply townsbg.

In terms of the site and software, I just can't recall. It wasn't a pop up and yes, the pc does seem a bit slower at the moment.

In the other thread I started on this site http://www.d-a-l.com/help/windows-xp...-software.html, you may recall that I need to do a clean re-install. I haven't done that yet. I just did a quick recovery to allow me to backup my personal files and drivers. After the quick recovery I did not download any updates for XP or for software. Could the reduced speed be as a result of this ?

I seem to recall that the online check expressed the hard drive speed in terms of Mb per second (Mb/s) and mine was diagnosed at approx 30 Mb/s while the normal range that they quoted was between 40 - 60 Mb/s.

The HP site has diagnostic tools that I can use and I will post the results of those tests soon.
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If the diagnostic software reports no problems I wouldn't worry about it. There is nothing you can do about disk transfer rate in fact there are a number of reasons why that can be low & those reasons don't all have to do with the drive itself. Besides that is probably an "optimal" rate that your computer won't necessarily maintain. As for your computer being slow, there are a lot of reasons that do or don't have to do with the hard drive.

As for pop ups, don't ever click on them unless you initiated them on a trusted website.

Originally Posted by ddk1979

I seem to recall that the online check expressed the hard drive speed in terms of Mb per second (Mb/s) and mine was diagnosed at approx 30 Mb/s while the normal range that they quoted was between 40 - 60 Mb/s.

Like I said it might not have really scanned your computer but it could be just trying to freak you into buying something.

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Thanks
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