ANSWERED: Need help diagnosing hard drive problem.

[palouse]

Thanks, all. I got an answer.

Is there a way to diagnose a hard drive failure, versus a cabling, mother board, power supply, etc., issue?

My son's computer just started failing to find the master hard drive with OS on it. When I DEL-key into BIOS window following failure and another power-up, BIOS does not detect a master IDE device. If I keep shutting down, and powering up, eventually, the BIOS finds the master drive. When it does, I exit BIOS window, and WinXP starts normally, with no unusual noises from the hard drive. If we leave it run, it does not fail, or 'blue screen'.

I've experienced many hard drive failures over the years, and they usually start by the drive all of a sudden sounding like it was full of sand. This situation, drive sounds 'normal', with quiet humming. I haven't run a CHDISK or equivalent.

I want some ideas on what may be going on, and what I should test.

System:

• A64 2800+ Newcastle, stock cooling, no OC, no Cool 'n Quiet.
  MSI 'Neo' Via K8T800 variant (no lock) purchased used 4 months ago.
  2X512KB generic PC3200 RAM
  BFG 6800 w/ unlocked pipes & small OC via RivaTuner
  Enermax 325W NoiseTaker
  master HD - 3yr old 40GB unk maker
  secondary HD - 80GB Hitachi Deskstar
  CD R/W DVD combo
  Floppy drive

The master HD, case and PSU were part of a Celeron system that ran well for 2-3 years. About 9 months ago, I swapped out the MB, CPU, and reinstalled XP. Added the Hitachi HD 6 months ago because master was getting filled. System ran well for the last 6 months. Two weeks ago, I swapped out 3yr old TI-4200 for the 6800.

End of last week, I put a small overclock on the 6800. Uh, the system started to fail boot beginning of this week. Uh, do ya' think it might be that the PSU is not big enough for all that hardware? (Funny how things become clearer when you write it all down. I could'a swore that Enermax was a 375...) If there is anything else that may be obvious, please recommend away. Thank you for your time.

 

[amdskip]

Enermax 325W NoiseTaker

This has my vote, shove the old card back in and see if the problems persist.

 

[BadThad]

Did you try replacing the HDD IDE cable?

 

[palouse]

Originally posted by: BadThad
Did you try replacing the HDD IDE cable?

I re-seated the IDE cable at the motherboard and the drive. I checked all the cables to ensure proper seating. No help. I did not replace the IDE cable. It came with the motherboard, and has not been disturbed since installation.

I'm thinking that 12W is not enough to drive A64, 6800nu, 2X HD, 1X CD, Flpy, and 2X 80mm case fans. The Enermax was a wonderful replacement for the PSU that came with this $20 case, but the system has grown up. When I get access to the system, I'll throw the Ti4200 back in, disconnect an essetially unused case fan, and wait for NE to do their stuff on a new PSU. Unless someone can swear that they have the same Enermax running the same system, this thread is done. Thanks all!

 

[BadThad]

I've had brand-new IDE cables that were bad out of the package either DOA or intermittent problems....just an FYI (I've built around a 1000 computers in my lifetime).

I thought the BIOS was the problem? Do you have the latest BIOS on the system?

 

[palouse]

Originally posted by: BadThad
I've had brand-new IDE cables that were bad out of the package either DOA or intermittent problems. I thought the BIOS was the problem? Do you have the latest BIOS on the system?

I understand about the cable, and I will swap out the cable with another round spare, just to be sure. BIOS should not be a problem; BIOS updated from MSI via automated utility.

 

[palouse]

Thanks to all that tried to help. I swapped cards, and unplugged everything but the master drive, and it would not spin up. I pulled the HD, and it turned out to be a 41MB Deathstar. HD won't spin up, even in another machine. It was not the Enermax.