My knowledge of Linux-based systems is somewhat limited, but
this may help.
If the external drive was connected and not shut down correctly from within Windows, it will show that error. If you know how to open a terminal and add code,
this may also help.
As your drive is bad, you'll probably be replacing it and reinstalling Windows, so why not leave the existing drive as a secondary/slave drive. Configuration will depend on whether you have EIDE or SATA drives. That way you can just transfer from the old to the new within Windows.
I'm sure others who are more Linux savvy will comment.