Corrupt files/hard drive problem

[bgray77]

I build the following system several months ago:

CPU: Intel P4 2.4c GHz
MoBo: Intel D875PBZLK
Memory: (2) Crucial 512MB DDR440 PC-3200
HD: Western Digital 200GB
- C: 20GB for OS/programs
- D: 180GB for data
HD#2: Western Digital 80GB
HD#3: Western Digital 30GB
OS: Windows XP Pro

Since I built the system, it has given me a consistent problem. I download a lot of live music in .SHN format. For those not familiar with this, it is a lossless compression that comes with a small text file with checksum information used to verify the integrity of the data. I download these to the D directory, and they verify ok. However, they are randomly becoming corrupted. I also have a TV card that I use as a DVR. The files I save are ok, but they too are becoming randomly corrupted, making them unable to be played in any media player. Also, I have had the D and E partitions randomly disappear from "My Computer". If you try to access them, it says "drive is not formatted. Would you like to format now?" I have reformatted both partitions 3 or 4 times each in the past few months. I decided to ask here because I have been running all night without a glitch of any sort, but when I just went to access my E drive, it is once again showing as unformatted.

I have run several tests of the hard drives (SMART tests, Norton utilities, WD data lifeguard program) and they have never shown a problem. My system has been stable, and I never get any type of error before the problem.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? Let me know if you need more information.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[poppyq]

What kind of powersupply does your system have?

 

[Sideswipe001]

I more wonder what IDE drivers you're using. Did you install Intels application accelerator, or just leave it on the windows defaut drivers? SATA? What is the Master/Slave setup like?

 

[bgray77]

Originally posted by: poppyq
What kind of powersupply does your system have?

Power supply is Antec TruePower 330W

Originally posted by: Sideswipe001
I more wonder what IDE drivers you're using. Did you install Intels application accelerator, or just leave it on the windows defaut drivers? SATA? What is the Master/Slave setup like?

All three drives are connected to a Promise Ultra ATA card. The 200GB is set to master, 80GB to slave. The 30GB is by itself on the other channel. I have everything installed as default drivers.

 

[poppyq]

Is there a particular reason you're using an add-in ide card instead of using onboard?

 

[Amused]

Have you run Prime95 to test for stability? Have you run memtest?

 

[bgray77]

Originally posted by: poppyq
Is there a particular reason you're using an add-in ide card instead of using onboard?

I have a DVD-ROM drive and CD-RW drive on the onboard IDE. I put the hard drives on an add-in card because I had 3 of them, so there wasn't room to put all onboard.

 

[bgray77]

Originally posted by: Amused
Have you run Prime95 to test for stability? Have you run memtest?

I've run memtest and had no problems. I've never run Prime95. I thought it was more for people who are doing overclocking. Should I run it?

 

[Sideswipe001]

Originally posted by: Sideswipe001
I more wonder what IDE drivers you're using. Did you install Intels application accelerator, or just leave it on the windows defaut drivers? SATA? What is the Master/Slave setup like?

All three drives are connected to a Promise Ultra ATA card. The 200GB is set to master, 80GB to slave. The 30GB is by itself on the other channel. I have everything installed as default drivers.[/quote]

I'd suggest looking for newer drivers from Promise, maybe even check for a newer BIOS, here.

I'd also suggest installing Intel's inf update too, for the motherboard, Here.

Lastly, since this is on a PCI card, do you have anything in the PCI next to your card? Sometimes problems are caused by PCI cards that don't play together well, and can be solved by changing the slots around.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: bgray77

Originally posted by: Amused
Have you run Prime95 to test for stability? Have you run memtest?

I've run memtest and had no problems. I've never run Prime95. I thought it was more for people who are doing overclocking. Should I run it?

I would. I have discovered a bad mobo and memory by running Prime. Memtest passed easily, while prime would fail with default settings in the BIOS (no overclock) but would pass with the loosest memory timings. It's just an idea. You need to trouble shoot everything. My clue that something was wrong in my case? Anything I loaded, whether off the CD or downloaded was being corrupted.

The bummer about being a home builder: You usually don't have all sorts of compatible spare parts lying around to swap with to find the culprit.

 

[bgray77]

Thanks for the input. I have finals this week, but I am planning on doing a clean install after that so I'll update all of the drivers, etc.