!** IBM rebuts 120GXP hard drive problem **!

[jm0ris0n]

Straight from The Inquirer.




<< A representative for IBM's storage technology division wrote to the INQUIRER:

"I'm disappointed that you did not incorporate IBM's official position on this issue in your story. No one through any of my channels informed me of your inquiry, as I would've certainly responded.

"I want to put to rest any concerns you have on whether the Deskstar 120GXP can run 24x7; it can and it has.

"Our "power-on hour" specification represents typical desktop PC usage. It is not an indication of the maximum number of power-on hours. Our customers have clearly used the drive in 24x7 operations successfully. Furthermore, IBM stands by the Deskstar 120GXP's 3-year warranty irrespective of power-on usage.

"You should also know that the StorageReview.com article contains inaccurate information that does not reflect IBM's official position. IBM has been in touch with StorageReview.com on our position, and SR has posted a retraction.

"Finally, I did want to clarify that this issue has nothing to do with Pixie Dust as suggested in your article. The 120GXP does use antiferromagnetically-coupled media, known affectionately at IBM as Pixie Dust.

"I would like to request that you alter theinquirer.net story to reflect IBM's official position, so that customers are not unnecessarily alarmed over mere rumors being spread on the Internet. Please let me know if you have any additional questions regarding this issue."

>>




Interesting...

 

[Freshbrain]

Is this meant to clarify things up or add more confusion? How about 60Gxps???
Mine has been runing fine for 9 months now, every time i turn on my PC I pray it doesn't dies!!

 

[microAmp]

<< Is this meant to clarify things up or add more confusion? How about 60Gxps???
Mine has been runing fine for 9 months now, every time i turn on my PC I pray it doesn't dies!! >>



I think the 60 GXP's are in the same boat. Good to hear there is at least one good one out there.

 

[Red Dawn]

Yep IBM's feeling the heat now. It's going to get rougher for them before it get's any easier but it's of their own doing.

 

[JellyBaby]

Geez I feel much better. In fact I think I'll order a few 120GXPs right now.

 

[im2smrt4u]

Well, I say its bullsh*t! They are just trying to make excuses! :disgust:

 

[John]

My 60GXP has been humming along for a good 6+ months, and the 120GXP I have in this rig has been running 24/7 for almost 2 months now. IBM has definitely tarnished their image even more with the 120GXP fiasco.

 

[Wolfsraider]

<< Geez I feel much better. In fact I think I'll order a few 120GXPs right now. >>



rotflmao

good one

on second thought i'll join you and we can raid 0 them monsters lol

 

[Kenjura]

And I rebut the deskstar problems in general.

I've had two 45gb 75gxp drives in my machine since july 2000, and a 75gb 75gxp since april 2001. I keep my computer on 24/7, and the drives see heavy use. Obviously, I keep at least a 25% free space margin (how could I not with 165gb of storage), and see my drives are well-cared for. My drives have traveled thousands of miles, and transferred ridiculous numbers of bytes...and they're fine.

I've never had problem one with any of my drives.

It surprised the hell out of me to learn that they are infamously error-ridden. I guess I'm lucky. I think we can all agree IBM makes an excellent-performing drive, if nothing else. And if, for me, they perform well and long, that pretty much settles my decision.

Of course, if one of the drives breaks, I'll be sure to plug in a maxtor or wdc immediately. ^_^

 

[Dreadogg]

<< I think the 60 GXP's are in the same boat. Good to hear there is at least one good one out there. >>

There are two of them I have one myself and it works flawlessly! The problem was with the 75gxps so get you story right! I see just as many maxtors, Wd, and segate drives crashing on these forums and most of them are the users fault! like a fauty PS and High heat in case without the right vertalation! Just the other day I see some guy post "well I just lost my 4th IbM 60 gxp" like really where is the problem here? just think about it!

 

[boran]

well, I have a GXP60 for 8 months now, and I dont have problems yet, as soon as I heard of the possible problems (and considdering the fact that I had burnt myself a 1st degree burn from just touching the disc when I opened my case again, I moved the disc to cooler hights (in a 5,25 inch bay with a 50mm fan in front of it (looks cool )

anyway if it ever dies I wont even try to RMA, I'll just buy a new one ...

(or maybe RMA and get the new one as storage container)

 

[Derango]

As far as I'm concerned, the day they admit to the public that the 75GXP is a piece of junk is the day that I might consider another IBM drive. They seem to be trying to cover up the 75GXP by releasing new drives and thinking that people will forget about the 75GXP. I woulden't dislike IBM nearly as much as I do now if they would just admit there is a problem! Actualy, its probably too late for that...they should have admited the problem right after it surfaced rather than saying that "well...all hard drives fail, this is the normal failure rate" Uh huh...sure

And to everyone who has a working 75 or 60GXP, either your lucky, or its probably going to fail within the next 6 months.

 

[Nate420]

I have 2 40Gig 60GXPs. One is over a year old and the other is about 4 months old, both are fine. However, I put a 20Gig 60GXP into my parents PC about 4-5 months ago, and it's starting to make noise. I rebooted their machine the other day, and I was alarmed at the sounds comming from inside. These drives are usually silent, as theirs used to be. I just ordered them a new Maxtor because I'm certain the IBM will fail soon. Maybe IBM will send back a 120GXP and I can steal it, as they'll have the new Maxtor.(wishfull thinking)

My two drives are still going strong, nice and quiet Hope they stay that way.

 

[Dre]

IBM drives are great.

 

[exp]

IBM drives have always had an unacceptably high failure rate IMHO. As usual a lot depends on luck but there's no denying that IBM's reliability problems are very real. To this day the only hard drives I have ever had die on me were IBphlegM...and this was even back in the days of their "more reliable" models. Public relations is one thing, but if they are not acknowledging and seriously investigating this issue privately then that is inexcusable.

 

[Yossarian]

Kenjura wrote:



<< And I rebut the deskstar problems in general. >>



Even if they had a 50% failure rate, some people would get lucky and experience no problems at all. Don't assume that there is no problem just because you haven't experienced it.

 

[xander5000]

i love my 120gxp. no probs. and i don't expect any. this is a different drive with different technology and was built when they knew about the previous problems.

ibm won't discuss the other drive because of the law suit. it would be tough for them to win the suit if they admit on the board that they've had problems.
x

 

[JellyBaby]

<< this is a different drive with different technology and was built when they knew about the previous problems >>

Are you certain? Everything I've read indicates the 120s look exactly like the 60s which looked like the 75s.

 

[ahsia]

I'll be the first to say that IBM does have a problem on its hands. Their drives are failing, and failing pretty darn fast compared to WD, Seagate or Maxtor. The problem is I think there were A LOT more people who bought IBM drives when the 75GXPs were first introduced. They were like the best drives available at that time. Then came along the 60GXPs. I mean storagereview has had IBM IDE drives on their recommended list since pre-75GXP line, so of course more people bought IBM drives. Which means if more people bought IBM drives, more people are going to have faulty drives. Hard drive fail all the time. I've RMA'ed at least 6 drives to WD in the last 3 years, and I am sure Seagate and Maxtor has their own share of RMA as well. Some people have had success with the GXPs, and others haven't. You will find others who have the same gripe with WD, Seagate, or Maxtor.

Like I said, I do think IBM has a problem with the GXPs, but lets not make IBM sound like the worst HD manufacturer ever.

 

[Submit]

After my 75GXP failed (7 months of use), I RMA'ed and got a 60GXP. I sold the 60GXP in favor of Western Digital 120 GB 8MB cache hard drive and I couldn't be happier. No more warring if my pc will boot up next time...

 

[grant2]

"Our "power-on hour" specification represents typical desktop PC usage. It is not an indication of the maximum number of power-on hours. Our customers have clearly used the drive in 24x7 operations successfully.

What a load of crap.

If there's no problem with 24/7 usage, then they wouldn't go out of their way to "recommend" a MAXIMUM power-on time.

 

[Quixfire]

Being fairly new to pc repair business, I have yet to replace any IBM hard drives. I personally have a 60GXP in my gaming rig for over 5 months with no problems. I have serviced a couple of Maxtor DX series and a few WD caviar drives that failed diagnosis using the manufactures own diagnostic software.

I haven't had any experience with the 75GXP drives, but I haven't seen one either.

 

[Dreadogg]

Its all bunch of hype! Show me the proof! I do not want your opinion show me the proof! Its all hype no proof just another wasteful topic thats going to die now!

 

[Floydian]

Lots of overgenerilization going on here over IBM Drives lol

75gxp had a problem, I heard about it A LOT, no matter what people say about "more drive, more failures," there WAS a problem

The later model 60gxp has done fine, I have yet to read of a LOT of people RMA'ing it

The 120gxp hasn't been around a long time, its relatively new to the market, and still has time to shine, or fail. No one knows if its good or not yet, so lets leave it at that

 

[Dug]

<< The 120gxp hasn't been around a long time, its relatively new to the market, and still has time to shine, or fail. No one knows if its good or not yet, so lets leave it at that >>


Correct. You just never know. And I don't think IBM or any other manufacturer does either.
The same thing could easily happen to the fairly new WD 8Mb cache drives, or Maxtor, etc.
All it takes is some minuscule thing in manufacturing to throw the whole thing off. Something that can't even be detected.

I don't agree with how IBM is handeling it, but I don't think they made bad hard drives on purpose.
And I have yet to hear about 120GXP's failing.

If they do hold up well I think they are a better rounded hd then even the WD JB series.