Dell Inspiron One - Critical Error Message

[Dajstar]

I have a dell message appear that says 'Your memory is operating outside of normal parameters and should be replaced' with a scan result that has the message's :
Hard DriveWDC WD5000AAKX-753CA1
Targeted
Read Test
Failed
Hard DriveWDC WD5000AAKX-753CA1
SMART
Short Self Test
Failed

We only use it for internet access so i am wondering what this means ?
Any advice appreciated

Many thanks in advance.

[VHG]

All your computer files are held on your hard disk. This includes windows, all your programs, and all your personal files.

From the message it looks like your hard disk is failing.

If it does fail you will lose EVERYTHING on your hard disk.

So you need to backup all your personal files URGENTLY. So you need to copy them to an external hard drive, a memory stick, up into the cloud, to another PC, or to CDs or DVDs.

It may be worth copying your personal files to more than one place as an "extra" backup.

[VHG]

There is a program built into Windows called chkdsk (Check Disk).

If you run this it will scan your hard disk for errors and if it finds any it will "block out" that part of hard disk and stop important data being held there.

Search the Windows help for "check disk" or "chkdsk" for details of how to run it. I seem to remember after asking for a check disk you need to restart your PC and the check disk runs after you have rebooted.

Even if you run check disk it is ALSO important to backup all your personal files.

Here is an article about Check disk in Windows Vista but it may be different on your version of Windows.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/guide-to-using-check-disk-in-windows-vista/

[Dajstar]

Ok thanks very much