How true is the IBM 75GXP 45 GB problem?

[Eug]

75GXP conking out problem... how true is that? I have a 45 GB GXP which works fine. However, way back when, with continous use (say 20 minutes) it would have write problems. I noticed it was very hot, so I stuck in another case fan. Now it works perfectly overclocked to 36.7 MHz. I wonder if the issue is due to heat. Then again, I don't use it as much as my 34GXP boot drive, since the 75GXP just holds MP3 (which I have a backup on CD-R) and video games.

Does anyone have more definitive information? So far I've only seen anecdotal evidence. Even the reports at StorageReview.com seem only anecdotal, which similar complaints about other popular drives. I would consider swapping out the drive, but right now I have no real reason to do that.

 

[thorin]

" I would consider swapping out the drive, but right now I have no real reason to do that. "

Well then just keep your data backed up and be ready to replace it when it fails. If you check through this or any online forum you will see that this is the drive people love to hate, that it's the most complained about drive around. Why do you think IBM replaced the 75GXP line with the 60GXP line?

Thorin

 

[Eug]

Hmmm... All the data (MP3) is already backed up, but it's a pain to restore 20 GB of data backupped on CD-R and that's why I'm considering ghosting the drive before it supposedly dies. However, before I rip out this drive, does anyone have better statistical data? I hear rumours that the RMA rate is high from individual users, but then again I hear rumours that the overall RMA isn't that high. I don't know who to believe.

Could it be that heat issue?


By the way, what's the best way of ghosting a FAT32 drive in Win 2000 without screwing up all my drive letters?

 

[Boonesmi]

from what ive heard (hehehe dont take this as a fact)

but from what ive heard either the drive goes out in the first 100hrs of use, or else it works fine for as long as expected

i have several 75gxp's but only one is the 45gig version, i had used it for months before i heard about the problems with them. and still using it with no problems

 

[Eug]

<< but from what ive heard either the drive goes out in the first 100hrs of use, or else it works fine for as long as expected >>

Hmmm... Well, ironically, I bought the IBM after my new 30 GB Maxtor 5400 rpm drive died after 2 hours of use (August 2000). I also had a Quantum freak out at 38.3 MHz so moved 8 GB of data to the IBM. The IBM has been chugging along fine, although now it's only running at 36.7 MHz PCI.

Hmmmmmm....

 

[BIGGDOG]

I can tell you my experiance with the drives. I have had three 45 gig 75gxp's die on me and I can honestly say I know it can not be from heat in the case or the house.

Case temp is 79 deg

 

[murdock2525]

I assume you saw my postingz... I like the drives and have installed them nearly exclusively BUT 3 dead in a 10 day period and the stuff on all the other forums has me worried and pissed !

 

[Kusta]

I have IBM which seems to me working fine. However, there is some noise which make me unhappy and second thing when I try to do IBM HDD fitness test, software does not recognize HDD at all! Does this test is really measure of reliability of Deskstar?
Thank's

 

[ToBeMe]

Well, I guess I'm lucky! I've installed dozens of them and have 4 75GXP's in my systems currently along with a few 60GXP's and 2 Maxtors..........I've never had an IBM quit on me! I have though lost a few Maxtors and several W.D.'s which I will no longer buy........as bad as Murdock's luck is with the IBM's was mine with Western Digitals.......I actually had a run of 5 failures in two weeks time with Western Digitals.:| In my expierience and reading, W.D.'s have a much higher failure rate than even the 75GXP's.......maybe you should go after Western Digital too Murdock! LOL!

 

[aUt0eXebat]

ive heard of the problems, but I have had mine for a year 45GB, and it works great, i use it alot, playing games, apps... lot of stuff. it dosnt overheat or anything.

 

[Mday]

well, the 75 gxp used 15 GB platters. 60GXP uses 20GB platters.

 

[Yossarian]

<< So far I've only seen anecdotal evidence. >>



That's the best kind, and all you get around here Anyway here's some more for you--I have 2, running in RAID-0, no problems so far (3 months or so). I know, I'm living on the edge.

 

[Eug]

Yeesh. Raid 0. I was considering Raid 1, but Raid 0 is definitely out of the question for me.

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

#!@$!

I have two 15GB 75GXP's which I haven't installed yet. Are these problems only related to the 45GB drives? I sure hope so.

 

[thorin]

These problem relate to the whole 75GXP series but the 45GB version seems to be the worst offender of all (either that or the size of drive the majority is currently buying). Most reports of these problems seem to be about the 45GB version but I have seen some for size points.

Thorin

 

[Alphacowboy]

I have not bought an IBM drive, but I have thought about it. I have 2 WD HDDs, see my Rig below. I have two of the Expert WD Drives... not Caviars! The Caviars are one of the worst drives I have worked with along side Quantum Bigfoots and older SeaGate drives! I have had good luck with Maxtor... if you are not over clocking, they don't like it much! And my 2 Expert drives, which look identical to IBM's drives have been excellent, they are just starting to get on the slow side Does ATA100 make that big of a difference?

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I also have 2 running in raid 0. I hope it doesnt die though.

 

[Wyrm2001]

I´ve had clusterdamages 3 times on my hdd. And i´m hearing wierd noises from it sometimes...Umm..Yikes!
But i´ve had it for 7 months now, so I cant really complain.

 

[thorin]

Wyrm2001
&quot;I´ve had clusterdamages 3 times on my hdd. And i´m hearing wierd noises from it sometimes...Umm..Yikes!&quot;

Sound like impending death. Hope you keep backups, because you shoulda RMA'd when you got the first bad cluster.

Thorin

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

Ok, I have recently learned that this problem mainly pertains to the 45GB versions because they have a BAD pin connnector in the back.

 

[thorin]

Sorry to revive this thread after 6 days everyone but I've been out of the office and away from my own computer as well.

MacaroneePenguin
&quot;Ok, I have recently learned that this problem mainly pertains to the 45GB versions because they have a BAD pin connnector in the back.&quot;

Where did you come by this bit of information? Where's the linkage?

Thorin

 

[nicowju]

One of my 45GB stopped working once. But got it RMA'ed quickly. So I guess the problem is pretty true