• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

IBM Hard Disks: Good or Bad?

F

fade2black

Member
😕

Guys, I'm going in for a 40 GB HDD (IDE Ultra ATA/100, 7200 rpm, 2MB Buffer):

I see Deskstar 60 GXP Hard Disks from IBM selling at Fry's for around $100. They seem to be priced lower than other brands and they also have the fastest seek times.

They look very attractive, but I heard that IBM disks frequently die within a year? Is this true? Is the problem specific to one particular model or widespread? Somebody was saying that IBM disks were having bad RMAs. What is RMA?
 
The 75GXPs had an unusually high failure rate, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the 60GXPs. People have complained about them failing, but some hard drives will fail no matter what brand they are. RMA stands for return material authorization.....I think. Basically, it's just when you need to return a defective product for a new or repaired one.

For what it's worth, I have a 40GB 60GXP and haven't had any problems with it since I got it about 6 months ago.
 
I have a 40 Gig 60GXP as well. No complaints. I have another one sitting here that is going into another PC this evening.
 
wait until the 60GXP is one generation old to really see if they have ironed out the problems IMO. Why tempt fate when there are other great drives out there?
 
We need to be careful of generalizations. IBM makes excellent SCSI hard disks - we have literally hundreds here at work and I have only seen one fail in the last nine months. That would be a failure rate of literally 1% or less over a year - probably less than 0.5% if I think of the number of servers that we have. So, it's not like IBM doesn't know how to make quality HD's with low failure rates.

There have been reports of issues with high-platter count IBM 75GXP IDE/ATA drives. I personally have one that has been in constant use for the last year or so and it's been a great drive: fast, quiet, and cool. But based on other people's reports, I would steer clear of that specific model. The new 60GXP IDE/ATA drives seem to have far less reports of failure and is probably a safer bet.
 
I have a 45GB GXP75 for about 1 year now, withOUT any trouble. Knock on wood. However, I would be hesitant to purchase another one at this point. I would probably go with Quantum.
 
Yes, I the problem is only with the higher capacity drives... I don't really recall the cut off number but i'm thinking anything the 60G's and up were the problematic ones.... only the 75GXP. I've also heard that the basic 20G drive from IBM with a single platter is probably the fastest and most reliable drive on the market. Work those drives kids.

4.6
 
Got 40Gb 60GXP 2 days ago and so far it has worked well 🙂 Guys on the computer store told that those problematic IBM HDD's were from Hungary and Philippines so it might be good idea to get HDD made in somewhere else (like Thailand). I also have 3 years old 8,4Gb IBM 16GP that still works well...
 
I've owned a 75GXP and currently have two 60GXPs in a RAID 0. Didn't have a problem with any of them. They are good HDDs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top