Possible HD problem?

[Chain777]

I installed an 80 GB Maxtor HD about 2 months ago (see sig for details). I have a 40 GB Maxtor in there now and have been using it for over a year with no problems. Recently I noticed a audible clicking noise coming from the HD on occasion. I didn't think much of it at first, but it seems to be getting louder and more frequent. Also, the system will boot up with an error saying the S.M.A.R.T status is bad and to replace it.

I ran the included Maxtor utilities/diagnostics; it found no problems. I'm not convinced every-things OK. I never had this problem with Maxtor drives in the past and with their new 1 year warranty, I need to address this problem a.s.a.p. Anyone else had this problem?

I'm thinking of RMA'ing the drive, but if the diagnostics show now problems, how do I prove there is a problem?

Remember, I said the re-boot process comes up showing the SMART status as bad...what exactly does that mean? And also the noise...that can't be normal.

Any suggestions appreciated.🙂

 

[Chain777]

^

 

[Jeff7181]

Maxtor is good about RMA's... they'll replace just about anything you send them as long as you have tampered with it. I had 2 Maxtor drives go bad last year, sent both back, and got replacements that were even better... sent a 60 GB that SMART reported bad, they sent me an 80 GB in return... sent them a 40 GB that went up in smoke, literally, and they sent me another 40 GB that was a newer model, and faster.
If SMART reports it as bad, send it back to them, you'll get another. You can also have them cross ship... they'll send you one, charge it to your credit card, and when they get your bad one, they'll remove the charge from your credit card. That way if you don't have a spare drive, you can still use your computer, and you can also transfer your data from the old drive to the new one.

 

[Chain777]

Thanks for the info Jeff.🙂