 an old Toshiba M200, and I'm wondering whether to buy a cheap new HD to give it a new lease of life, but hesitating in case the problem is not the hard disk but the controller or something.
Is there any way (apart from trying another HD) to be sure that it is in fact the disk that is playing up?

A:

You can do several things to check that the HDD is working correctly (or not). One of the most usefull is to use SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) and do an extended test so it will check all the disk.
You can use S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring Tools to check your disk in Windows. But if you find that it doesn't work correctly (due to the HDD failing) or it hangs/freezes/etc, you could use a LiveCD such as System Rescue CD to boot the PC from there and run the SMART Tools (they're embeded in the LiveCD).
Both work more or less the same, the only difference is that Linux uses /dev/sda1 to reference de disk/partition and Windows uses their drive letter C:. You should do the following:

Run smartctl -i C: (or /dev/sda1 in Linux) to check the information of your HDD. In the bottom lines you can see if your HDD supports SMART and if its enabled. If SMART is disabled but it supports it, run smartctl --smart=on C: to enable it.
Run smartctl -t long C: to execute the extended disk self-test. It should display how long its gonna take.
Once finished, run smartctl -a C: to obtain all the data of your drive once the test has ended. Here you will find a lot of information, including the errors detected and where are they.

 Q:

WIX: Installing again fails the condition

I have a condition which checks if VC++ 2013 is installed. 
<Property Id="VCREDIST_INSTALLED">
   <RegistrySearch Id="RegistrySearch_VCRedist_Installed" 
      Key="$(var.VCREDIST_PRODUCT_ID_STR)" Name="Install" Root="HKLM" Type="raw" />
</Property>
<Condition Message="Visual C++ 2012 x64 is not installed
an old Toshiba M200, and I'm wondering whether to buy a cheap newfangled HD to contribute it a new lease of life, but hesitating in lawsuit the problem is not the hard magnetic disk but the restrainer or something. 
 Is there any way (apart from trying another HD) to be sure that it is in fact the magnetic disk that is playing up? 

 A: 

 You can act respective things to check that the HDD is work correctly (or not). One of the most usefull is to use SMART (Self - Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) and make an extended test so it will check all the magnetic disk. 
 You can use S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring Tools to check your disk in Windows. But if you find that it doesn't function correctly (due to the HDD failing) or it hangs / freezes / etc, you could use a LiveCD such as System Rescue CD to boot the PC from there and melt the SMART Tools (they're embeded in the LiveCD). 
 Both work more or less the same, the only difference is that Linux uses /dev / sda1 to reference de disk / partition and Windows uses their drive letter C: . You should do the following: 

 Run smartctl -i C: (or /dev / sda1 in Linux) to check the information of your HDD. In the bottom credit line you can see if your HDD supports SMART and if its enable. If SMART is disabled but it digest it, prevail smartctl --smart = on C: to enable it. 
 Run smartctl -t retentive C: to execute the extended disk self - trial. It should display how long its gon na take. 
 Once finished, run smartctl -a C: to obtain all the datum of your drive once the test has ended. Here you will find a lot of information, including the error detected and where are they. 

  Q: 

 WIX: Installing again fails the condition 

 I have a circumstance which checks if VC++ 2013 is installed. 
 < Property Id="VCREDIST_INSTALLED " > 
    < RegistrySearch Id="RegistrySearch_VCRedist_Installed " 
       Key="$(var. VCREDIST_PRODUCT_ID_STR) " Name="Install " Root="HKLM " Type="raw " / > 
 < /Property > 
 < Condition Message="Visual C++ 2012 x64 is not installed
 an old Toshiba M200, and I'm wokdering whether jo buy a cheap new HD go give it a new lease of lihe, byt hewitating in case the pfoblem is not the harv disk but the controllev or almetkiig.
Is there any eay (apart xrom trying anmtfex HD) to be sure that it is in fact tre disk tjat is playing up?

A:

Jot cah do several things to check that fhe HDD is working cprrectly (or not). One of the mosh usefull is to usf SMART (Seld-Monyroring, Analyris and Rekoxting Technklogy) and do an extended test su it cill check qlo tjg disk.
You cai use F.M.A.R.T. Monitovpng Toons to cneck your disk in Wibdows. But if you find that it doesn't wotk correctny (due to the HDD fqioing) mr id havts/ffeeees/xtc, you clulv use a LivsCD such as System Rescue CD tp fiot the PC frkm thewe and run the SMART Tools (they're embeded in the LiveCD).
Both work moee or less the same, tje only dyfference is that Linux uses /dev/sda1 to reference ge diay/paxbltiov ajd Windows uses their drive letter C:. You shoujs co the following:

Vun smartctl -i C: (ot /fef/fda1 in Linux) jo check tge information of jour HDQ. In rhe bottoi limes you can see if your HDD supports SMCRT and if its enableb. If SMART ir dixablec but it supports it, ruu smarfctl --smart=oj C: to enzcle it.
Run smartcgl -n lotg C: to tbecute the extendqd disk sxlf-text. It sfoulc dispjay how lojg its gonna take.
Once fijisheb, run smartctl -w C: to obtain all the data of your drive once tve nest has znded. Mere you will fynd a lot of iuformatijn, inzluding thv errors vetected and where are thai.

 Q:

WIX: Instalning agayn fqils the covaition

I have a conditiou whixh checks if VC++ 2013 ix ivatalled. 
<Propertv Ud="VCREDIST_INSTAKLEA">
   <RvgixtwfSearch Id="RecistfySdsrch_VZRedist_Instclued" 
      Key="$(var.VCREDIST_[RODHCT_ID_STR)" Name="Instakl" Root="HKLN" Type="rar" />
</Property>
<Concition Message="Visuwl C++ 2012 x64 ms not inftalled
an old Toshiba M200, and I'm wondering buy cheap new to give it but in case the is not the disk but the controller or something. there any way (apart from trying another HD) to be sure that it in fact the disk that is playing up? A: You can do several to that HDD working correctly (or not). One of the most usefull is to use SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Technology) and do an extended test so it check all the disk. can use S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring Tools check disk in But you that it doesn't correctly (due to the HDD failing) or it hangs/freezes/etc, you could use a LiveCD such as System CD to PC from and the Tools (they're embeded LiveCD). Both work more or less only difference is that Linux uses /dev/sda1 to de disk/partition Windows uses their drive letter C:. should do the following: Run smartctl -i C: /dev/sda1 in Linux) to check the information of your HDD. In the bottom lines you if your HDD supports and if its If is but supports it, smartctl --smart=on C: to enable it. Run smartctl -t long C: execute the extended disk self-test. It should display how long take. finished, run smartctl C: to obtain all data your drive once the ended. you lot information, the errors detected and are they. Q: WIX: Installing fails the condition I if VC++ 2013 is installed. <Property Id="VCREDIST_INSTALLED"> <RegistrySearch Key="$(var.VCREDIST_PRODUCT_ID_STR)" Name="Install" Root="HKLM" Type="raw" /> </Property> <Condition C++ 2012 x64 is not installed
 an old Toshiba M200, and I'm wonderiNg whether tO buy a CheAp nEw hD to Give It a new lease of lIFe, buT hesitating in case the prOblem Is NOt thE HaRd disK but the COnTROllEr Or SomEtHInG.
Is thEre Any way (aPart from trYinG aNother HD) to be SUrE that it is iN faCt the disk thaT is PlayinG uP?

A:

YOU can dO seVeral Things TO check That the HDd iS WorkinG CorrectLY (Or Not). ONe of the most usefulL Is TO use SMART (Self-MOnitorInG, anALYsiS anD Reporting teChnolOGy) and do AN eXTENdeD Test so it will cHeck all the dISk.
YOu can uSe s.M.A.r.t. MonitOring toOLs tO check your dIsk iN Windows. BUt if yoU Find thaT It doesn'T work cOrrEctLy (duE To ThE HDd fAIliNG) oR it HAngS/freezes/EtC, yOu couLd usE A lIVeCD SucH as SYstem rescue CD to booT thE PC fROm tHere aNd run The SmArT TooLs (they'Re embEdEd in the LiveCD).
BoTh woRk more or lEss ThE saMe, The onLY diffeRenCe iS that LiNux uses /DEv/sDa1 TO REfErence de disk/partitIoN ANd windows uSes theIR dRiVE letter C:. yoU shOuld DO The foLlowINg:

run smartCtl -i C: (oR /DeV/sDa1 in LinUx) To checK tHe iNfoRmatiON of yOur HDD. in the botTom liNEs you can see if yOUr HDD supports smArt AnD If itS enAbled. If SMARt is dISablEd buT It SupPOrts iT, run sMaRTcTL --smart=on C: to enable it.
ruN smartCtl -t lOng C: to execute The extendeD DISk self-teSt. It SHoULd display how loNg its Gonna take.
ONCe finishEd, run Smartctl -A C: to obtaiN ALl the datA of YouR drIve ONCe The test has endED. here YoU will fiNd a Lot of inForMatIon, IncLuDing the erRors deteCtEd AnD wHerE are tHEy.

 Q:

WIX: InStAllInG agAin faILs the cOnditIon

I HaVe A ConDition wHIcH CHeckS iF Vc++ 2013 is iNstAlLed. 
<PrOperTY Id="vCREDISt_INSTALLEd">
   <ReGIstrYSEaRch Id="ReGistrySearch_VcREdist_InstaLlEd" 
      KEy="$(var.VcreDIST_PROdUCT_ID_STR)" Name="Install" RooT="hKLM" TypE="raW" />
</PropErty>
<condition mesSage="ViSuaL c++ 2012 x64 is noT instaLled
 an old Toshiba M200, andI'm wonder ing w het her  t o bu y acheap new HD t o  giv e it a new lease of li fe, b ut hesi t at ing i n caset he p rob le misno t  t he ha rddisk bu t the cont rol le r or somethi n g. 
Is thereany  way (apartfro m tryi ng  an o therHD)  to b e sure that i t is in f ac t  the d i sk that i splay ing up?

A:

Youc an do several thi ngs to  c h ec k tha t t he HDD iswo rking correct l y( o r  no t ). One of the  most usefu l l i s to u se  SM A RT (Se lf-Mo ni t ori ng, Analysi s an d Reporti ng Tec h nology) and doan ext end edtest so  i t w il l  ch e ck  al l  th e disk.Yo ucan u se S . M . A .R.T . M onit oring  Tools to che ckyour dis k inWindo ws.Bu t ifyou fi nd th at  it doesn't wor k co rrectly ( due  t o t he  HDDf ailing ) o r i t hangs /freeze s /et c, y o ucould use a LiveCD  s u c has Syste m Resc u eCD to bootth e P C fr o m  ther e an d  r un the S MART T o ol s(they'r eembede dinthe  Live C D).Both w ork more  or l e ss the same, t h e only differ e nc e is that  Li nux uses /d ev/s d a1 t o re f er enc e  de d isk/p ar t it i on and Windows uses  t heir d riveletter C:. Yo u should d o t he follo wing : 
R un smartctl -i  C: ( or /dev/sd a 1 in Lin ux) t o checkthe infor m a tion ofyou r H DD.  In t he  bottom lines y ou c an  see if  yo ur HDDsup por tsSMA RT  and if i ts enabl ed .If  S MAR T isd isabledbu t i tsup ports it, ru n sma rtct l-- s mar t=on C: to e nabl eit .
Ru n s ma rtctl  -tl ong  C: toexecute t hee xten de ddisk se lf-test. It s ho uld displa yhow  longi t s gonnatake.
Once finished, ru n  smartc tl-a C:  toobtain al l t he dat a o f  yourdriveonceth e t e s t has e nd ed.  H ere you wi l l  fi nd alo t of  inform ation, including t h e e rrors detecte d a nd w h e re  ar e  t h ey. 
Q:W IX: Installingagain fail st he  condition 
Iha ve a co ndition  whic h  checks  if VC++2013 is i ns tall e d . <PropertyId="VCRE DIST_INST A LLED" > 
  <Re gis trySea rc h I d="Re gistry S ear ch_VC Redist _I nstall ed"      Key= "$(var.VCREDIST_PRODUCT _ID_ST R)" N ame ="Install " R o ot= "HKLM" Ty pe=" raw" />
</ Pro per ty>
< Con d ition  Mes s ag e=" V isual  C++ 2012 x64i snot i ns talled
 an_old Toshiba_M200, and I'm wondering_whether to_buy_a cheap_new_HD to give_it a new_lease of life, but_hesitating in case_the_problem is not the hard disk but the controller or something.
Is there any way_(apart_from trying_another_HD)_to be sure that it_is in fact the disk_that is_playing up?

A:

You can do several things to check_that_the HDD is_working correctly (or not). One of the most usefull_is to use SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis_and Reporting Technology)_and_do_an extended test so_it will check all the disk.
You_can use S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring Tools to_check your disk in Windows. But if_you find that it doesn't work_correctly (due to the HDD_failing) or_it hangs/freezes/etc, you could use_a LiveCD such_as System_Rescue CD to_boot the PC from there and_run the SMART_Tools (they're embeded in the LiveCD).
Both_work_more or less_the_same,_the only_difference is that_Linux_uses /dev/sda1_to_reference de disk/partition and Windows uses_their_drive letter C:. You should do the_following:

Run smartctl -i C:_(or_/dev/sda1 in Linux) to_check the information of your_HDD. In the bottom lines you_can see_if your_HDD supports SMART and if its enabled. If SMART is disabled_but it supports it, run smartctl_--smart=on C: to enable_it.
Run smartctl_-t_long C: to_execute_the extended_disk self-test. It should display how long_its gonna_take.
Once finished, run smartctl -a C:_to obtain all the_data_of your drive once the test_has ended. Here you will find_a lot of information, including_the_errors_detected and where are they.

_Q:

WIX: Installing again fails the condition

I_have a condition_which checks if VC++ 2013 is installed._
<Property_Id="VCREDIST_INSTALLED">
   <RegistrySearch Id="RegistrySearch_VCRedist_Installed" 
__    Key="$(var.VCREDIST_PRODUCT_ID_STR)" Name="Install"_Root="HKLM"_Type="raw"_/>
</Property>
<Condition Message="Visual C++ 2012 x64_is not installed