Failing hard drives ..

[Tatts]

This one has been annoying me for a week now!

I had 2 Samsung F1 320GB's running in raid0 until recently when one kept spinning up, clicking and making weird noises.

Deleted the raid (now using them as normal drives), installed windows on one drive ran seatools and both failed the DST test. I only started having these problems since buying a Zalman ZM1000HP.

Now the funny thing is, both drives pass all of the seatools tests using my HX850 yet windows still keeps telling me my hard drive is failing

I was going to RMA them both but i don't want to waste time/money if it was only the psu although i think one is still playing up as when i load a game, it kind of locks up but i can still hear everything (only lasts a few minutes)

Any ideas / help / alternative testing software much appreciated

[spleenharvester]

Try the one which you don't suspect faulty on its own. Try a few different connections too.

[marsey99]

can you try a different sata powre line from the psu?

[Cnr]

You could try and use ES-Tool which is Samsung's own HD diagnostic software. Also have you checked all the connections?

[Tatts]

can you try a different sata powre line from the psu?

I tried that, all on the same modular cable and then each on there own

They do seem better since changing from the zalman 1000w but I'm still getting the odd noise (as if there stop/starting) and that annoying windows message


I will try them with new Sata cables tomorrow and then test them with the link Cnr provided

[darr]

What else do you have in your case? Graphics/cpu etc

[marsey99]

if new sata cables dont stop it i would stop using them as os drive to lessen their use and dont keep anything on them you cant get again as it does sound like they are on their way out m8

[Tatts]

if new sata cables dont stop it i would stop using them as os drive to lessen their use and dont keep anything on them you cant get again as it does sound like they are on their way out m8

I've just got my rig back together now so will do some testing soon.

I've only got a basic install on them (all my important files are on the F3's). Both drives are only a year old so there is plenty of warranty left on them

[Tatts]

Fitted new sata cables and did more tests:

What is Ultra DMA CRC?


F1 320GB (1)






F1 320GB (2)





F3 1TB

[Cnr]

I think the Ultra DMA CRC error is usually caused by a cable problem or something is wrong with the controller. It also looks like your second 320GB F1 drive may have a bad sector.

[Andrew Moore]

The total quantity of CRC errors during UltraDMA mode. The raw value of this attribute indicates the number of errors found during data transfer in UltraDMA mode by ICRC (Interface CRC).


God knows what it means but a filing HDD would be my guess. That or perhaps the sata cable. Lastly the sata controller on te mobo could be failing from stresses exerted via using raid...

Andy

[Tatts]

The board is a brand new X58 classified, had the same problems in my old UD5 so i can't see it being the board.

I replaced my sleeved sata cables for the new ones which came with the evga and it's still the same.

The funny thing is, i get that Ultra DMA CRC on both F1's and all F3's (is this to do with smart being disabled?)

[Andrew Moore]

Try enabling smart and finding out. It does have somethng to do with smart mind.

Andy

[cje]

FWIW, I recently had some issues with my system. Guess what my psu is, Zalman ZM1000 HP like you.

My initial problem was freezing, it was found to be a faulty board. I then had a replacement board, and that kept rebooting randomly. Returned replacement board, and 2nd board did same thing. Then happened a 3rd time I lost my cool, and the reseller sent me a brand new board.(fairplay). New board installed now the system wouldn't boot, kept rebooting at the windows loading bar. The only common peripheral has been the zalman psu. My hard drives showed no errors using manufacturer cd diagnostics. The whole system is at the resller at the moment as it'll save time for them to test all of it together, but my money is on a dodgy power supply.

Not saying that your psu could be faulty, all I'm saying ia don't be quick to discount it as an issue.

[Tatts]

Update: 1 F1 is definately failing, the other seems ok but it is not reconized by any windows install (only had 1 drive attached trying to make a clean install on it) yet it appears in my computer when windows is installed on another drive so i will have to RMA both of them

I cant find any smart options in the bios on this motherboard.

Just thrown an old hitachi drive in and it's passed fine, i will try my last F3 shortly.