Let us know what results you get from gpart, again, READ the documentation on that utility. Copy gpart into a floppy and boot the rescue system from CD number 1, then you can run it. Another option you have is to get a disk test tool from the manufacturer of your drive. Other hard disk manufacturers' tools usually can test drives too, you can try those. One more option is to contact the mantainers of fdisk and ask them what the meaning of the error messages you are. They may assist you more effectively. Rafael