Burning hot WD2500KS hard drive

[imported_snowgoose]

I have recently bought a Western Digital WD2500KS drive: SATA-II, 250Gb, 16Mb buffer.
Immediately after I have installed it I have noticed a strange thing, the reported temperature (by S.M.A.R.T. using various SW tools) of the drive is way beyond normal (55-65 Celsius) but the drive itself is quite cool to touch (no more than 45), I have managed to RMA it (wasnt easy ;-) but imagine my disappointment when the one I got in replace acts exactly the same...searching around I have found that others has also encountered this problem with this drive..

What is wrong with these drives ? or is it the S.M.A.R.T. reading SW fault ?

 

[LiLithTecH]

Software monitors (less the CPU which is monitored by on-die sensors) are
not the best indicators of actual temps.

Rule of thumb is the drive temp should not be more than 20C over case
temp.

The issue can also be caused by a underpowered PSU, or faulty cable connector.

 

[Tu13erhead]

If it's not burning hot to the touch, you shouldn't worry. At least, that's my motto.

 

[Arctor]

I've been having the same issue with a pair of WD2500JS drives (SATA/7200/8MB) I just installed in a friend's computer. After some digging, I found this in the support forum for SpeedFan. It's not exactly about my drives, but it is about yours.

http://www.bugtrack.almico.com/view.php?id=468

According to WD, the issue is a flaw in the drive's firmware that reports back an incorrect temperature. Im waiting to hear back from WD if the issue exists in the firmware for the drives I have, too.

 

[sygyzy]

That is not SUPER hot. I believe that is within manufacturer's range, or possibly 2-5 degrees over.

 

[imported_snowgoose]

Originally posted by: Arctor
I've been having the same issue with a pair of WD2500JS drives (SATA/7200/8MB) I just installed in a friend's computer. After some digging, I found this in the support forum for SpeedFan. It's not exactly about my drives, but it is about yours.

http://www.bugtrack.almico.com/view.php?id=468

According to WD, the issue is a flaw in the drive's firmware that reports back an incorrect temperature. Im waiting to hear back from WD if the issue exists in the firmware for the drives I have, too.

The response I got from WD regarding my drive WD2500Ks was quite disappointing:

Thank you for contacting Western Digital Customer Service and Support.


This is the first we have heard of this scenario. Make sure your power supply is capable of supporting your computer. If replacing the drive is not solving the problem and your power supply is not supporting your computer it could stress the drives out. Make sure your computer is well ventilated.

And I can assure u I dont have any issue with my power supply, my case is well ventilated my other drives are running @26c to 42c

 

[Arctor]

Very much the same here. My friend's P4 630 is running at 28-34c, the mobo is 30c, and the video card's over 100C, as expected. But the HDD are just unexpectedly high.

I put two WD2500JD's in the PC I'm using now and they never go over 35c. I expected similar from the ones I put in my friend's PC. Even if they sit within the upper limit of temperatures, it's still unusual and potentially could shorten their lifespan. And who would do THAT intentionally?

Still waiting on my response from WD.