This is a conumdrum BUT..........I would always go back via System Restore to when you know it was working OK. The software CAN seemingly give rise to strange quirks on HDD.
However, 230gb! That's all your eggs in one basket. I have mine in three. That way I have the OS on 20gb drive. I have data on 40gb drive and I have loads of stuff on a drive I use little but to store as much as I want - this an 80gb drive. I also de-frag once a week.
Before you say you have 3 partitions it won't help. IF the disc is knackered the partitions are useless.
I refer the honurable gentleman to the answer I gave a moment ago.
Good luck TG.
PPP