I am having a Windows XP SP3 loaded laptop that has a Hitachi 80 GB SATA HDD formatted with NTFS. One of the partition of 25GB in size has some bad sectors. When I try to fix the error, I hear rattling sound and the system hangs. This problem also happens occasionally when I try to copy or move some files, especially large ones, to the partition. How do identify/locate the bad sectors? Is it possible to lock/delete the bad sectors so that they are inaccessible to windows. Any solutions to the problem? Please do not suggest buying a new HARD disk.Why should we not suggest a new drive ? ?
If it's failing...it's failing.
There are very few repairs that can be done...especially if it's making audible noises.
Backup your data and do what we're not allowed to suggest...You miight be able to find utilities on the Internet which will allow you to lock out those bad sectors. That's as far as I will go with that.

That disk is on borrowed time. It might last a day, a week, or a year. While the same may be stated for any drive, the chances are against you if it's giving you problems.

I once had a 2GB drive that crashed. It STARTED back up, and reported to BIOS and Windows that it was a 1GB drive. It LASTED for another year, but I only kept games and things which I could afford to lose at any moment on the drive. When it finally quit for good, there was no warning.

Make sure you have important INFORMATION backed up.
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which will allow you to lock out those bad sectors