Hard drives keep failing?

[appadv]

I have a computer which keeps toasting hard drives every few months. Have tried Maxtor, WD, Seagate, Samsung, etc. drives but lost count. At first I thought it was a heat issue so I installed 2 more case fans (for a total of 4).

The last hard drive has lasted 3 months before going belly up and making the "click-click-click" sound.

Before I replace the hard drive again, what should I look out for? I know certain applications like Ghost and Norton tend to over-stress the HD, but I'm just talking about a fresh XP install with no HD hogging software.

What could this be?

P.S. when they die they ALWAYS make a "click-click-click" or grinding sound.

[Face]

Maybe something is wrong with your power supply?

[appadv]

Was thinking that, but it puts out a solid 12V on the +12V and 5V on the +5V.

Everything else in the PC works fine. Just toasts hard drives.

[shadowofnight]

Are you overclocking at all ? Also, when you say toast...are you able to low level format the drive...this will write over every single sector on the hard drive...marking those that are actually bad so the os doesnt attempt to use them when reloading.

[appadv]

Are you overclocking at all ? Also, when you say toast...are you able to low level format the drive...this will write over every single sector on the hard drive...marking those that are actually bad so the os doesnt attempt to use them when reloading.

Nope, it's just a HP Pavilion desktop PC.

No overclocking.

I am not even able to low level format the drive (using the drive utility), or write zeros to the drive (zero-fill), quick format, or full format the drive.

[appadv]

Oh yeah, these drives fail so badly they sound like a blender/garbage truck/lawnmower, etc.

[fatchowmein]

If you're eating hard drives that quickly, there's the remote possibility the failure is with your hard drive controller. A faulty controller will cause the drives to thrash needlessly, leading to a premature death. Unfortunately, the fix requires replacing the motherboard. If you're very lucky, the problem is only with your hard drive cables and swapping out the SATA or ATAPI cables will fix the problem.

There is also the possibility that this is a power issue and your power supply is not sending enough juice or constant juice to the drives or the power from the wall socket is "dirty" which is frequently the problem in apartments. However, the motherboard or memory usually fries before the hard drives.

Lastly, check your drive cage and make sure the cage and drives are clamped down tight to prevent excessive wear from vibrations.

Good luck. Looking for a root cause in your case can be a PITA.

Edit:
1. Replace hard drives. Visually inspect the drive cage.
2. Buy a PSU tester or go to CompUSA. I think some of the stores will charge you a nominal fee to test it. Call first.
3. Replace the hard drive cables.
4. Check ventilation and airflow around your pc.

[WilliamM2]

I would also suspect the power supply. You really need a PS tester to be sure.

As a side note, apllications like Ghost and Norton do not stress your drive too much. We have drives at work that read and write constantly, 24-7. Failure rates on these seem no higher than the average workstation.

[appadv]

I would also suspect the power supply. You really need a PS tester to be sure.

As a side note, apllications like Ghost and Norton do not stress your drive too much. We have drives at work that read and write constantly, 24-7. Failure rates on these seem no higher than the average workstation.

The only thing is that I've swapped cables between the hard drives and the CD/CDRW drives. So I would assume if the CD drive is fine with that cable, then the hard drive should handle it fine too?

I'm starting to think it's a drive controller, as I noticed that even when a NEW drive is installed, the first thing it does is go "click"

[shadowofnight]

I have seen controllers take out drives like that...anytime the pci bus goes above 39 or 40 MHz it will start scrambling drives( Either by a failing controller or overclocking as well ) .

If he doesnt want to replace the motherboard...just disable the controller in the bios and use a pci card controller .

Its either that or the power supply...cheap pci controller ( Either SATA or PATA ) and a powersupply are both pretty cheap.

[shadowofnight]

The only thing is that I've swapped cables between the hard drives and the CD/CDRW drives. So I would assume if the CD drive is fine with that cable, then the hard drive should handle it fine too?

I'm starting to think it's a drive controller, as I noticed that even when a NEW drive is installed, the first thing it does is go "click"

Grab a new controller...cheap :)

[appadv]

Well, it's a proprietary HP motherboard, so it's nearly impossible to find a motherboard that fits this case (it's a very awkward design).

[appadv]

I'm just wondering why it works PERFECTLY for an amount of time (around 3 months), then one day the drive is toast?

Aside from the "click" I hear, everything else seems normal.

[shadowofnight]

Well, it's a proprietary HP motherboard, so it's nearly impossible to find a motherboard that fits this case (it's a very awkward design).


Yeah, just grab the pci controller ( Leave MB in there) .....since you swapped cables...assuming PATA drives ( Unless you have SATA optical drives ) you are using the correct 80 conductor cables correct ?

[appadv]

Yes, they are PATA drives.

Computer is from 2000-2001ish.

[appadv]

Yeah, just grab the pci controller ( Leave MB in there) .....since you swapped cables...assuming PATA drives ( Unless you have SATA optical drives ) you are using the correct 80 conductor cables correct ?

I have the 80 conductor cables, not the thicker 40 conductor cables.

[shadowofnight]

Some oem type mb's didnt warn you when using a 40 conductor cable...just about all enthusiast boards had a bios based boot warning you that the cable was incorrect. Actually let me look....I used to get a free controller with drives all the time...I probably have a LOT of them new in the static bags here somewhere...I will look....if I find any I will send you one.

[appadv]

Some oem type mb's didnt warn you when using a 40 conductor cable...just about all enthusiast boards had a bios based boot warning you that the cable was incorrect. Actually let me look....I used to get a free controller with drives all the time...I probably have a LOT of them new in the static bags here somewhere...I will look....if I find any I will send you one.

Thanks, but I am going to CompUSA/Micro Center/Best Buy today.

[billbillw]

Another idea is temperature. Those OEM cases aren't always known to have the best ventilation. I'd run a monitoring program (like Speedfan) and see what type of temps you are seeing in the case. High temps will definitely shorten the life of a Hardrive.

Seeing that many drives go bad is most assuredly unusual. I've been building my own computers for more than 7 years and I've never seen a drive go bad. I've got drives that were put in service more than 5 years ago and are still working in PCs that I've built for others.

[Early B.]

Just throw the damn computer away. Problem solved.

[appadv]

Another idea is temperature. Those OEM cases aren't always known to have the best ventilation. I'd run a monitoring program (like Speedfan) and see what type of temps you are seeing in the case. High temps will definitely shorten the life of a Hardrive.

Seeing that many drives go bad is most assuredly unusual. I've been building my own computers for more than 7 years and I've never seen a drive go bad. I've got drives that were put in service more than 5 years ago and are still working in PCs that I've built for others.

Well, I've added two more case fans to this HP PC.

As per the BIOS, the CPU temperature is 29C/84F, and the case temperature is 26C/79F.

[Pablo]

If it's from 2000, it may be cheaper to just by a new PC. You can get a good refubed dell for about $600. If the machine is 6 or 7 years old, for the amount you spend on new drives and replacing stuff, you can get something faster (with a warrenty) for about the same. Right now I see a Dell Dimension E520 with a duo core 1860, 250GB hard drive, gig of ram, DVD RW, 256mb ATI x1300 for $529. (it's a scratch and dent).

[thejck]

do yuo have your computer siting close to a big electric source or magnetic field. i would lean towards a power supply. i dont see why a controller would cause the drive to fail. it has to be a electri issue. buy a new computer if its that old

[appadv]

Haha, my Pentium II and Pentium Pro systems from 1996 and 1998 are still working fine to this day.

It's THIS computer that keeps killing hard drives.

Yes, I am going to get the system you mentioned, the E520 or E530. However, even though I am going to buy a new computer, I still want to fix this one.

[hypertone]

The first things I think of is Power, either the line, or the PSU, and if those are good, the next thing I'd look at is the hard drive controller.

[appadv]

The first things I think of is Power, either the line, or the PSU, and if those are good, the next thing I'd look at is the hard drive controller.

The PSU seems to be good, as I'm not frying any other drives in the PC, even when swapping power connectors.

I'm REALLY thinking it's the hard drive controller.

Going to get the Dell E530 right now (they now sell in stores). Will be back soon.

[disneyjoe7]

Could be the hard drive controller, but I would swap out the PS first. But they are both what $40 for a good one, so I guess it doesn't matter to much either way just hate to buy one to find it was the other one.

[appadv]

Just got the Dell.

Wow it's great! My first impression of Vista on my old laptop was that it was very slow, but that laptop only had 1 gig of RAM. With 2GB of RAM on this Dell E530, Vista runs great!

As per my hard drive issue, I guess I'll have to get a PCI hard drive controller.

[dudeinaroom]

I had an HP Pavilion for around the same time. The mother board in it was an asus, With a P3 850MHZ. It came with a 30 Gb HDD, a 4x cd writer and a 138 Megs of ram. It ran for a year, and started thrashing hard drives, after that I was luck to see 6 months on a drive. It's an HP, great printers, shitty computers. Trash it. I can build you a decent rig for 6-700 or just an internet machine for around 500 or less.

[appadv]

I had an HP Pavilion for around the same time. The mother board in it was an asus, With a P3 850MHZ. It came with a 30 Gb HDD, a 4x cd writer and a 138 Megs of ram. It ran for a year, and started thrashing hard drives, after that I was luck to see 6 months on a drive. It's an HP, great printers, shitty computers. Trash it. I can build you a decent rig for 6-700 or just an internet machine for around 500 or less.

That's just like the system I have. Yes, it also started thrashing hard drives too after a few years and I got between 3-6 months on a hard drive.

Also agree with you on the PC's, HP makes great printers though. Have a HP LaserJet 2300dn and a LaserJet 2430dtn, and both have been VERY reliable.

[appadv]

So - I went to Staples (to pick up the Dell, they now carry Dell PCs) and Best Buy but I couldn't find a PCI hard drive controller.

In the meantime, I plugged up an old 20GB hard drive up to the PC just for testing purposes, and it fried that hard drive too!

[fatchowmein]

So - I went to Staples (to pick up the Dell, they now carry Dell PCs) and Best Buy but I couldn't find a PCI hard drive controller.

In the meantime, I plugged up an old 20GB hard drive up to the PC just for testing purposes, and it fried that hard drive too!

Hey,
I forgot to ask. Did you test those "failed" drives on another system? If you're lucky, the onboard disk controller is bad and it's making the drives sound like they failed when in fact they haven't failed and the sound you hear is just the controller abusing your drives. Grab an external drive enclosure and test all your failed drives on another pc. Run chkdsk /r

Good luck

[avelanchefan]

The PSU seems to be good, as I'm not frying any other drives in the PC, even when swapping power connectors.

I'm REALLY thinking it's the hard drive controller.

Going to get the Dell E530 right now (they now sell in stores). Will be back soon.

Look no offense, and to each his own, but if that computer has smoked more than 4 hard drives and you are still trying to figure it out to possibly smoke another hard drive or two?

Can I ask why? I know you said you want to get it working, but after the third HDD wouldn't you just be better off spending your money on audio gear? I am assuming you have ruined 5 hard drives. At a minimum of 60 dollars that puts you bill at 300, plus all the hassle of reinstalling everything. After your man hours you are looking at 600 dollars easily.

Just let it go man!!:):confused:

[appadv]

Look no offense, and to each his own, but if that computer has smoked more than 4 hard drives and you are still trying to figure it out to possibly smoke another hard drive or two?

Can I ask why? I know you said you want to get it working, but after the third HDD wouldn't you just be better off spending your money on audio gear? I am assuming you have ruined 5 hard drives. At a minimum of 60 dollars that puts you bill at 300, plus all the hassle of reinstalling everything. After your man hours you are looking at 600 dollars easily.

Just let it go man!!:):confused:

Yeah, I feel like throwing this computer in the garbage already.

You make a good point though - if I replace the hard drive controller and it turns out not to be, I'll probably smoke another hard drive or two.

[Lasareath]

I have a computer which keeps toasting hard drives every few months. Have tried Maxtor, WD, Seagate, Samsung, etc. drives but lost count. At first I thought it was a heat issue so I installed 2 more case fans (for a total of 4).

The last hard drive has lasted 3 months before going belly up and making the "click-click-click" sound.

Before I replace the hard drive again, what should I look out for? I know certain applications like Ghost and Norton tend to over-stress the HD, but I'm just talking about a fresh XP install with no HD hogging software.

What could this be?

P.S. when they die they ALWAYS make a "click-click-click" or grinding sound.

Have you tried Enterprise Western Digital's?, Those are the ones I use exclusively and I have never had a problem. Plus they come with a 5 year warranty.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=2

Sal

[appadv]

Have you tried Enterprise Western Digital's?, Those are the ones I use exclusively and I have never had a problem. Plus they come with a 5 year warranty.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=2

Sal

Nope, but I've tried a Western Digital drive that works fine in my Pentium II computer and after a few months of putting it in the HP it destroys the drive.

[dudeinaroom]

I've got the cure for you. Pull anything of value out of the computer, then swiftly swing a sledge hammer at the remaining parts. Problem solved, no more fried hard drives.

[disneyjoe7]

No offense...

But I don't know why someone would again and again and again replace a part without replacing something else also.

[appadv]

No offense...

But I don't know why someone would again and again and again replace a part without replacing something else also.

I did replace other parts!!!!!

At first I thought it was just the drive, so I put in the second drive and it lasted a few years. Same thing with the first drive. Lasted 3 years or so.

It's only been recently when the computer started frying the THIRD drive that I started becoming suspicious. So I replaced the CABLE with another cable, thinking that this would solve the problem.

So yes - I did replace the cable, thinking that the cable was the problem. Three months later, the THIRD drive fails, so I know now that the cable is not the problem. I add two case fans to the computer thinking that heat is the problem, then install the FOURTH drive.

So now I've replaced one cable, two fans, and put in another hard drive. This drive, like the others, lasts 3 months before it fails.

[MKZ]

Lastly try SCSI controller and drive if you had tried above posts if the cost is not an object. SCSI is the most reliable in my knowledge. It may be costly though.

[appadv]

Lastly try SCSI controller and drive if you had tried above posts if the cost is not an object. SCSI is the most reliable in my knowledge. It may be costly though.

I'm about to try the hard drve controller and one more hard drive before I throw in the towel. I just don't want to kill another drive replacing the controller and then it turns out not to be.

And yes, I know, I might smoke another hard drive or so, but there are personal/family reasons involved in this too.

[appadv]

Just when I thought I had one working computer...

My laptop does this again.

ARGH!!!

[disneyjoe7]

So do you do a shutdown, then power up?

[appadv]

So do you do a shutdown, then power up?

Well, the computer that displays the annoying error messages is my laptop. Aside from that it's fine, so I just shut down and then restart.

The other computer that keeps frying hard drives is just killing me!

[Bamadude]

I'd start by backing up all my data. Next I'd place laptop and PC in a box and label it "A". Then I'd go to the hardware store and rent one of those log splitting machines. Once home I'd place box "A" in the device and crush until those trolls are all dead cause that's what's wrong... trolls. Log splitters do a great job when you've got em that bad :)

[Pablo]

It may be time for a Mac.

[appadv]

I'd start by backing up all my data. Next I'd place laptop and PC in a box and label it "A". Then I'd go to the hardware store and rent one of those log splitting machines. Once home I'd place box "A" in the device and crush until those trolls are all dead cause that's what's wrong... trolls. Log splitters do a great job when you've got em that bad :)

Haha, too funny...

[polkatese]

Is your laptop has a Broadcom wireless network card, appadv? If so, the problem lies with the driver, it happens on mine.

[appadv]

Is your laptop has a Broadcom wireless network card, appadv? If so, the problem lies with the driver, it happens on mine.

Yes, it has the internal Broadcom wireless network card.

[polkatese]

I knew it. The way I solved mine is by re-installing the driver, and changing the sequence of the loading of these drivers. It has nothing to do with the memory (RAM) which I was initially suspected to be the culprit. If you can find an updated driver, it might solve the problem. I also did clean up the registry using Ccleaner program.

good luck.

[appadv]

This is starting to get crazy.

The BRAND NEW Dell had the same problem so I had to return it. Now I got the SECOND Dell E530 from Staples and within 2 hours of using it, it cannot even start up now.

WTH?

[PolkThug]

Are you plugging these into a wall outlet, surge protector, etc.? Is this in your house or at work?

[appadv]

Are you plugging these into a wall outlet, surge protector, etc.? Is this in your house or at work?

Surge protector, UPS, power conditioner - didn't make a difference.

I think the machine that was frying hard drives was just plugged into a surge protector. Then later on a UPS. The UPS reports line voltage as 123-124V, Load = 9%, everything else is normal.

This new Dell - I've been through two of them already!

[appadv]

Getting really ridiculous now. Simply because I don't know what it is. I mean, the power coming out of the wall outlet is good, according to my APC Smart-UPS 1500, and if the power was really that bad, I'd be having problems with other things plugged into the same outlet. Also the UPS would have a "site wiring fault" or undervoltage/overvoltage indicator if there was an issue.

BTW, this is for home (personal) use.

[Polk65]

I had a similar problem over the course of a year. Went through a half dozen different brand HD's on several offboard Promise IDE controllers before nailing the PS as the culprit. Bought an Antec 500 or 600 watt PS and the problem has never returned. I'm not sure if you can get a beefier PS with your Dell but check their web store. Dell and other brands of boxed PC's have a history of some bad runs with PS's. Good circulation and cooling around HD's is important and would be my second suggestion.

[Lasareath]

Yes, I had a client's computer with a similar issue, it was frying video cards,

I bought this: http://www.govistashop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2734

And it said that the PSU was bad, I bought a really good 600 watt PSU and I never had an issue since.

Sal