I've used SpinRite on client computers, but this is the first time I've used it on my own computer to recover.  It ran for 12 hours, finding two bad sectors.  It recovered the first completely, and the second partially.  This is what sets SpinRite apart from other disk recovery programs - it is capable of recovering partial sectors (some of the data) instead of just taking the easy way out and giving up.  Often, the partially recovered data is enough - it contains the data actually used in the sector.

 

That was the case this time - Windows started up normally, although it did run chkdsk to check the file table (this is normal).  So I'm doing a full backup now, but the netbook is 100% operational once again.  Sweet!

 

I made the mistake of assuming that a new computer would not need SpinRite maintenance right away.  It is my custom to run it once a quarter on all hard drives - it can prevent crashes like this.  I now realize I need to run it as soon as I get a new computer, as well

 

Highly recommended.