How much instability can a bad HDD cause?

FB · 04-12-2005, 03:31 PM

i am trying to transfer all the data off a HDD that is failing on me (i have another thread asking how the ATA speed can change) i am getting random reboots and it has taken 3 attempts to transfer the data off the HDD to another because it crashed 2 times.

so could this 1 HDD be the source of my instability that has started over the last 2 weeks, i was rock solid until then when i noticed the hdd issue

**pointreyes** · 04-12-2005, 03:35 PM

There are three main areas I consider of concern:
1) Hard drive
2) Cable between drive controller and drive
3) Drive controller

Any one of these three can look like the same problem and all three can cause the instability you are having the pleasure of dealing with.

*Bofinn* · 04-12-2005, 03:38 PM

try copying your files in smaller chunks. Large drag n drops won't help the situation.

FB · 04-12-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bofinn

try copying your files in smaller chunks. Large drag n drops won't help the situation.

i noticed, too bad majority of stuff was a large drag and drop, therefore i lost 10 files

but i should have them on a backup DVD

PR,
i have a new SATA drive coming tomorrow to replace it, then i will only have my 120GB ATA133 on IDE1, so if problems ensue, i should swap cables?

FB · 04-12-2005, 03:58 PM

ok, unplugged bad HDD, booted up fine, device manager still reports 120Gb drive at speed of 133, so thats good

**pointreyes** · 04-12-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FB

PR,
i have a new SATA drive coming tomorrow to replace it, then i will only have my 120GB ATA133 on IDE1, so if problems ensue, i should swap cables?

Yes. However, it does look good if the system is stable today with the bad drive disconnected.

FB · 04-12-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointreyes

Yes. However, it does look good if the system is stable today with the bad drive disconnected.

things are loading a bit quicker again too, i was really starting to think there was something wrong with my CPU, glad it was just a HDD(number at that), i don't think i can talk Maxtor into replacing it though, it might be worth a shot though.

FB · 04-13-2005, 01:30 PM

still got one crash late last nite, after gaming for 5 hours, wierd because i am not sure if it was from instability or the fact that i got stuck in the game and then it froze on me (has happened before even when i had my p4) either way i turned down my LDT to x3 (it was at x4 which put me over the 1000 max)

we will see.

**pointreyes** · 04-13-2005, 01:32 PM

Check the event log. See if the same device is listed for the crash event.

FB · 04-13-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointreyes

Check the event log. See if the same device is listed for the crash event.

where is that?

**pointreyes** · 04-13-2005, 01:41 PM

Right-click My Computer, select Manage on the short-cut menu. This will open a Window with a host of features, including "Event Viewer". That is where the logs can be viewed.

FB · 04-13-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointreyes

Right-click My Computer, select Manage on the short-cut menu. This will open a Window with a host of features, including "Event Viewer". That is where the logs can be viewed.

have to check when i get home. i hope i don't have that disabled. anything in particular i am looking for?

**pointreyes** · 04-13-2005, 03:24 PM

Hopefully you don't have the event log disabled. It's a wealth of information when it cames to troubleshooting certain aspects of Windows.

Basically, a standard installation of XP will have two logs under the event viewer: Application and System. Check both of them. The Type column (you will see it once you are in the log) is what helps you find errors with the type changing from Information to Warning or Critical status. It's the Warning and Critical status lines that you will want to view. Double-clicking on any of the events listed on the log will open up a window on the event you clicked on-that window will provide you with information that could point to the problem.

FB · 04-13-2005, 03:28 PM

thanks, i might not have the log disabled, but i think i do have warnings disabled. i don't remember what i changed when i made my nlite disc, i will find out in 5.5 hours i guess.

ATINUT · 04-13-2005, 04:42 PM

Don't feel bad about a harddrive going bad on you. I had the same thing happen to me, back in January. What happened back then, is the drive up and died right after I loaded up a saved game in Battle For Middle Earth, and I didn't even have a chance to backup any of the data that was on it.

That drive had crashed so bad that it caused a BSOD, and I couldn't boot WindowsXP until disconnected it from the IDE cable and powercable.

Backup what data you can, and transfer it to the new drive when it comes, and keep the bad drive disconnected if need be.

04-12-2005, 03:31 PM	#1
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	How much instability can a bad HDD cause? i am trying to transfer all the data off a HDD that is failing on me (i have another thread asking how the ATA speed can change) i am getting random reboots and it has taken 3 attempts to transfer the data off the HDD to another because it crashed 2 times. so could this 1 HDD be the source of my instability that has started over the last 2 weeks, i was rock solid until then when i noticed the hdd issue __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

04-12-2005, 03:35 PM	#2
pointreyes The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march. Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 18,159	There are three main areas I consider of concern: 1) Hard drive 2) Cable between drive controller and drive 3) Drive controller Any one of these three can look like the same problem and all three can cause the instability you are having the pleasure of dealing with. __________________
(Offline)

04-12-2005, 03:38 PM	#3
Bofinn I'm gettin' dizzy! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,035	try copying your files in smaller chunks. Large drag n drops won't help the situation. __________________ ---------- JimBo ----------- When in doubt, smack it!
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04-12-2005, 03:58 PM	#5
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	ok, unplugged bad HDD, booted up fine, device manager still reports 120Gb drive at speed of 133, so thats good __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

04-13-2005, 01:30 PM	#8
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	still got one crash late last nite, after gaming for 5 hours, wierd because i am not sure if it was from instability or the fact that i got stuck in the game and then it froze on me (has happened before even when i had my p4) either way i turned down my LDT to x3 (it was at x4 which put me over the 1000 max) we will see. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

04-13-2005, 01:32 PM	#9
pointreyes The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march. Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 18,159	Check the event log. See if the same device is listed for the crash event. __________________
(Offline)

04-13-2005, 01:41 PM	#11
pointreyes The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march. Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 18,159	Right-click My Computer, select Manage on the short-cut menu. This will open a Window with a host of features, including "Event Viewer". That is where the logs can be viewed. __________________
(Offline)

04-13-2005, 03:24 PM	#13
pointreyes The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march. Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 18,159	Hopefully you don't have the event log disabled. It's a wealth of information when it cames to troubleshooting certain aspects of Windows. Basically, a standard installation of XP will have two logs under the event viewer: Application and System. Check both of them. The Type column (you will see it once you are in the log) is what helps you find errors with the type changing from Information to Warning or Critical status. It's the Warning and Critical status lines that you will want to view. Double-clicking on any of the events listed on the log will open up a window on the event you clicked on-that window will provide you with information that could point to the problem. __________________
(Offline)

04-13-2005, 03:28 PM	#14
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	thanks, i might not have the log disabled, but i think i do have warnings disabled. i don't remember what i changed when i made my nlite disc, i will find out in 5.5 hours i guess. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

04-13-2005, 04:42 PM	#15
ATINUT Just Plain Crazy! Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,278	Don't feel bad about a harddrive going bad on you. I had the same thing happen to me, back in January. What happened back then, is the drive up and died right after I loaded up a saved game in Battle For Middle Earth, and I didn't even have a chance to backup any of the data that was on it. That drive had crashed so bad that it caused a BSOD, and I couldn't boot WindowsXP until disconnected it from the IDE cable and powercable. Backup what data you can, and transfer it to the new drive when it comes, and keep the bad drive disconnected if need be. __________________ Intel D975XBX2 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 8GB's of Mushkin HP2 6400 memory(DDR2 800) two Sapphire GDDR4 Radeon 3870 videocards HT Omega Claro(Cmedia 8788HD chip) 120GB&200GB&320GB Western Digital harddrives LG DVDROM & LG DVDBURNER HP Deskjet 920C Logitech X-540 speakers Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch Widescreen LCD Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit with Service Pack 1 Who'se the fool that approved the design for this place. - The Dwarf, Sacred Underworld.
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