It depends on what is reporting what errors.
You could try to check the hard disk. From Windows Explorer click on
<Properties><Tools><Check Now>. This will check and try to repair the
magnetic media on the platter of the hard disk drive. With 300Gb even a few
bad sectors shouldn't give you too much concern - although you should be
asking yourself why they appeared. Was the computer moved whilst it was
reading from or writing to the hard disk? If more bad sectors appear you
should consider replacing the hard disk drive before it starts to take your
data with it.
If the error is that files are not found then you've probably acquired some
virus / spyware threats. Update your threat prevention software and scan
for viruses. This may resolve the problem. If not you'll need to recover
you personal data and reformat the hard disk drive and re-install
everything.
If the fault is a physical problem with the hard disk drive recover you
personal data, get another hard disk immediately and re-install everything.
I'm afraid that the age of the hard disk and how much it's used is
irrelevant. I've seen a hard disk drive fail straight out of a sealed
packet.
Regards.
Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
