damn IBM

[ginfest]

I never wanted to believe but this am, my IBM 75 GXP (45 GB) did a Chkdsk after a I rebooted. CHKdsk found a "bad block" and supposedly fixed it. I ran IBM Drive Fitness test, it said there was an error and wanted to erase the disk. Is the IBM Fitness Test "erase" a form of repair?
I cancelled out then used Ghost to back up, C is a 10GB part, D is a 35 GB part. Got that done and also an XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard backup.
Question, I assume IBM will RMA, but won't ship 1st so I have no downtime? Note subsequent Chkdsk found some bad blocks in 1 file on C, none on D, I also repaired C and machine is working, no funny noises as I type. That being said, how long do you think I have?
I never had any noises, but there was a noticeable noise when I "repaired" the drives partitions with DFT.
If they won't x-ship, I'll have to go and buy another drive, any sugg on make/model?
This s**ks, I've had 4 IBM drives over the past 5 years, never a prob and 3 are running in other machines, but no 75 GXP models.

 

[ChrisOh]

is the noise a clicking noise or a whooshing noise?

 

[ginfest]

Neither that I can tell. I also checked out the page at IBM with all the noises, it doesn't match any of those. I can't describe it, it was over an hour ago that I heard it, but it was distinctly louder than the drive is in normal operation, actually this drive is very silent and no noticeable noise when running : when Chkdsk found the "bad block" and I let it "repair" it, that's when I heard it. I immediately rebooted to the IBM DFT, ran the "advanced" test, got an error (failure code 0x70, 0x77) and the DFT advised it wanted to "erase" the disk, destroying all data.
Needless to say, I exited out, and ran my Ghost backups of both C and D partitions.
Now that that's done, should I run the DFT again and let it "erase" the disk, ie is this "erase" some sort of "repair. I don't mind doing it and re-installing either "fresh" or with the Ghost backups, if it will actually "repair" the disk and I won't have to RMA.
Note that the drive has subsequently passed repeated Chkdsk runs with no errors and no noises.
Is a "bad blocks" or "bad clusters" the same thing? I know that Chkdsk will "mark" them bad and not reuse, is this normal? By that I mean, should I just ignore the fact that there are bad blocks and continue using this drive, or does it mean that more trouble is coming?
More suggestions?

 

[ginfest]

Sorry to "bump" so fast, but does any1 know if the DFT "erase" option repairs the drive and is it worth it? Please see my last post, any answers welcome.

 

[veryape]

I would call IBM and get the ball rolling by at least letting them know that trouble is likely to ensue with that drive, since they already know that this particular model drive has inherent flaws in a very high percentage of them.

They will not likely RMA the drive at this point in time but at least they know what's coming, not to mention they can tell you exactly what erasing the drive is going to do for you besides you losing your data and probably getting another week or two out of the drive before you have to call them back begging for an RMA.

When you call tell them there is important data on the drive and that if it fails it will be on his concience since you called well in advance of any data loss, maybe that will help with them offering to cross ship, and maybe even getting an RMA before your drive totally screws the pooch.

 

[ginfest]

Great suggestions, thanks. I tried to call today, will have to wait until Monday, I just hope it lasts until then.

 

[ChrisOh]

I cant seem to find the page with the noises, can you link me to it. I think you should call IBM, they are pretty prompt on replacing bad drives... remember, if you send your drive to them, they will repair it and send it back, they have another option where you can cross ship so you dont have that much downtime (a few days at most usually)> I had a drive RMA'd be Western Digital, they got it, "fixed" it and sent it back... the drive still had the problem. Damn WD, I wont use their drives anymore. Good luck to ya!

 

[ginfest]

Here's that link, thanks for the advice:
IBM hard-drive noises

Mike G

 

[mattbta]

I've got a 20GB and 45GB 75 GXP and just recently started seeing posts about the failures. Mine have been flawless so far, but I've got them backed up onto my new $100 WD 120GB hot deal.

There is a class action suit against IBM. I signed up just to see if I can get some kind of compensation for "risk of data loss."

Here's the link IMB class action suit.

 

[ginfest]

Thanks for the link, wonder if that "hot deal" is still available?
I have had many IBM over the years, one 4 yr old drive is still workin' in my son's computer. Just bought this one in March '01, then started reading all the failures over the past 9 months, but was hoping for the best. Anyway, right now it's working, hope to get a couple days out of it until the 1st of the week.

 

[mattbta]

<< Thanks for the link, wonder if that "hot deal" is still available? >>



Apparently Frye's Electronics and Outpost.com merged so you were able to pricematch the $199 price there and get a mail in rebate. The CompUSA deal expired last week, but I'm not sure if the frye's deal is still going on.


The drives seem great. Quiet, fast and fairly affordable. I just don't like the idea that it may fail unannounced and a lot of people have experienced this. A word to the wise- backup. Even if you have to burn to CDR...backup frequently. I'd hate to be SOL without a backup if/when one does crap out.

On the lawsuit business- I don't forsee getting anything out of it, but it doesn't hurt to try and get compensated for your risk of data loss. If you do, then that's cash for another drive.

The 60GXP's don't appear to have the problem the 75's do.

 

[ginfest]

I'm still going to try and get them to send out a new drive, hopefully a 60 GXP, but I just ordered the Seagate Barracuda IV from Newegg, going to give Seagate a shot even though I've had IBM for years. I read great stuff about the Seagate and WD both here and at Storage Review.

edit: AFA backing up, I did ghost the drive, and did a win XP "Files and Settings Wizard" backup, wonder if I'll be able to just Ghost to the new drive or will need a re-install?
Ghost ver is 7.0 Enterprise

 

[mattbta]

<< I'm still going to try and get them to send out a new drive, hopefully a 60 GXP... >>



Good luck in your quest. LMK how it turns out...I might try and get them to do that too.



<< edit: AFA backing up, I did ghost the drive, and did a win XP "Files and Settings Wizard" backup, wonder if I'll be able to just Ghost to the new drive or will need a re-install?
Ghost ver is 7.0 Enterprise >>



Are you ghosting an OS install partition? Either way it really makes no difference as long as you can get into an OS to ghost it to the new drive.

 

[ginfest]

The 45 GB IBM is split 10 GB C, 35 GB D. Originally I had ME on C, XP on D. When I went all XP, I just deleted ME and changed Bootloader NT, rather than re-install XP on C. I might just "bite the bullet" and do a fresh install on the new drive.
I ghosted each partition individually, now I'm thinking I could have just imaged the whole disk instead. Well, anyway, thanks again for all the advice, I'll post or PM you when I get in touch with IBM and get some results.