Dying 150GB Raptor?

sammy2066 · 07-14-2008, 12:42 PM

Symptoms:

1) Windows Explorer takes really long to open
2) Installations take a long time to start.
3) Computer freezes very often, very randomly.
4) Pausing large downloads freezes system.
5) System is showing very erratic behavior.

Could my Raptor be biting the dust?

My system is not overclocked at this time, and I ran Orthos for a good hour the other day,so I know its stable.

I have a spare Hitachi 250GB lying around. What software can I use to image the Raptor? (Recently did a clean install of Win XP + SP3 + Updates).

Could I use Norton Ghost?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

ctal · 07-14-2008, 12:55 PM

Re imaging programs, see this thread:

looking for a new back-up program

Re the HD, you should probably install a program such as HD Tune, that will allow you to check SMART status. SMART just picks up a fraction, perhaps half, of hd problems, but it's certainly worth a try:

HD Tune

HTH,
-- Al

sammy2066 · 07-14-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctal

Re imaging programs, see this thread:

looking for a new back-up program

Re the HD, you should probably install a program such as HD Tune, that will allow you to check SMART status. SMART just picks up a fraction, perhaps half, of hd problems, but it's certainly worth a try:

HD Tune

HTH,
-- Al

I downloaded the WD Diagnostic tool and ran it. It showed the SMART status to be alright. Is there something on the motherboard that could be causing this? A bad cable, or a bad chipset?

I'll look into the imaging programs. Thanks for the insight!

ctal · 07-14-2008, 01:26 PM

It could be a lot of things. I'd first try running Memtest86+ for a while to test the memory. Then try disabling as many hardware things as possible in the bios, so that Windows won't see them, and see if the symptoms change or go away (things like the network interface, sound, etc). Also, some sata cables have a tendency to come loose. Check that, and also perhaps try moving the Raptor to a different sata port.

-- Al

traveler · 07-14-2008, 04:48 PM

The last time something like this happened to me I traced it to an improper drive jumper. I had the drive set to slave when it should not have been.

As ctal says, check your cable. Maybe try a new one.

Download ActiveSMART. It does a more thorough check on the SMART readings than most other utilities.

sammy2066 · 07-14-2008, 11:35 PM

I already tried changing the port on the motherboard. That has not seemed to work. The drive jumper cannot be an issue since everything's been working fine for well over a year now. I don't have spare computer to test the drive either! I guess I'll give ActiveSMART a shot and see how that goes.

traveler · 07-15-2008, 12:02 AM

It'll take a few days for ActiveSMART to build a data base on your drive.

ActiveSMART impressed me when it predicted a drive of mine would fail on a particular date four or five months later. Sure enough, the drive failed and was RMAed two weeks after that predicted date. But at least I had all 500 gigs of data backed up before the HD failure.

INVALiD · 07-15-2008, 02:45 AM

GRC's spin rite might be something worth looking into. It's about 90 dollars though.
Purchase & Download

zapionics<alt> · 07-15-2008, 06:52 AM

Check the CPU isnt throttling down due to some cooling issue too

sammy2066 · 07-15-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zapionics<alt>

Check the CPU isnt throttling down due to some cooling issue too

Yeah, I thought of that. But I had Orthos running for more than an hour, and everything was good. So I'm ruling out any thermal issues at this point.

I have just refitted the connectors on both hard drives. Gonna boot up in a bit.

On a completely unrelated note, I am soo sick of fixing and troubleshooting computer problems these days. It used to be fun some years ago, now I wish things would just work!

*polonyc2* · 07-15-2008, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveler

Download ActiveSMART. It does a more thorough check on the SMART readings than most other utilities.

I just downloaded the trial version of ActiveSMART...nice program...I like it

EDIT: how come attachments are not showing up as thumbail previews in posts like before?

fvbounty · 07-15-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I just downloaded the trial version of ActiveSMART...nice program...I like it

EDIT: how come attachments are not showing up as thumbail previews in posts like before?

Thanks for the info, I just downloaded the trail verison too, and like you said nice program!

sammy2066 · 07-15-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I just downloaded the trial version of ActiveSMART...nice program...I like it

EDIT: how come attachments are not showing up as thumbail previews in posts like before?

eeeeew .... no Aero!

Just kidding.

I shall download and get back to you guys.

WhiteEclipse · 07-15-2008, 09:57 AM

sammy,
my wife's computer had the same issues when the psu was going. But it could also be memory problems.

*polonyc2* · 07-15-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy2066

eeeeew .... no Aero!

Just kidding.

I'm not using Aero...I'm not a fan of the Aero style in Vista...I like the Windows Vista Basic style instead

07-14-2008, 12:42 PM	#1
sammy2066 ABX Public Relations Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ABXZone.com Posts: 8,509	Dying 150GB Raptor? Symptoms: 1) Windows Explorer takes really long to open 2) Installations take a long time to start. 3) Computer freezes very often, very randomly. 4) Pausing large downloads freezes system. 5) System is showing very erratic behavior. Could my Raptor be biting the dust? My system is not overclocked at this time, and I ran Orthos for a good hour the other day,so I know its stable. I have a spare Hitachi 250GB lying around. What software can I use to image the Raptor? (Recently did a clean install of Win XP + SP3 + Updates). Could I use Norton Ghost? Any assistance is greatly appreciated! __________________ That's what she said ....
(Offline)

07-14-2008, 12:55 PM	#2
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,160	Re: Dying 150GB Raptor? Re imaging programs, see this thread: looking for a new back-up program Re the HD, you should probably install a program such as HD Tune, that will allow you to check SMART status. SMART just picks up a fraction, perhaps half, of hd problems, but it's certainly worth a try: HD Tune HTH, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

07-14-2008, 01:26 PM	#4
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,160	Re: Dying 150GB Raptor? It could be a lot of things. I'd first try running Memtest86+ for a while to test the memory. Then try disabling as many hardware things as possible in the bios, so that Windows won't see them, and see if the symptoms change or go away (things like the network interface, sound, etc). Also, some sata cables have a tendency to come loose. Check that, and also perhaps try moving the Raptor to a different sata port. -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

07-14-2008, 04:48 PM	#5
traveler Where to next? Join Date: May 2001 Location: South Florida Posts: 17,901	The last time something like this happened to me I traced it to an improper drive jumper. I had the drive set to slave when it should not have been. As ctal says, check your cable. Maybe try a new one. Download ActiveSMART. It does a more thorough check on the SMART readings than most other utilities.
(Offline)

07-14-2008, 11:35 PM	#6
sammy2066 ABX Public Relations Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ABXZone.com Posts: 8,509	Re: Dying 150GB Raptor? I already tried changing the port on the motherboard. That has not seemed to work. The drive jumper cannot be an issue since everything's been working fine for well over a year now. I don't have spare computer to test the drive either! I guess I'll give ActiveSMART a shot and see how that goes. __________________ That's what she said ....
(Offline)

07-15-2008, 12:02 AM	#7
traveler Where to next? Join Date: May 2001 Location: South Florida Posts: 17,901	It'll take a few days for ActiveSMART to build a data base on your drive. ActiveSMART impressed me when it predicted a drive of mine would fail on a particular date four or five months later. Sure enough, the drive failed and was RMAed two weeks after that predicted date. But at least I had all 500 gigs of data backed up before the HD failure.
(Offline)

07-15-2008, 02:45 AM	#8
INVALiD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 65	Re: Dying 150GB Raptor? GRC's spin rite might be something worth looking into. It's about 90 dollars though. Purchase & Download
(Offline)

07-15-2008, 06:52 AM	#9
zapionics<alt> <unknown level> Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 2,773	Re: Dying 150GB Raptor? Check the CPU isnt throttling down due to some cooling issue too __________________ "To Boldly Go..."
(Offline)

07-15-2008, 09:57 AM	#14
WhiteEclipse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 801	Re: Dying 150GB Raptor? sammy, my wife's computer had the same issues when the psu was going. But it could also be memory problems.
(Offline)

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