Seagate 320GB SATA drive problems

[RPDP]

I recently purchased a Seagate 320GB SATA drive [7200.10 with 16MB cache] as additional storage to my existing 80GB PATA boot drive.
The problem is that I hear screeching noises randomly for a minute or so and the system hangs whenever this happens. I have heard similar sounds in my external backup drive when the power cord is loosely attached to the external casing.

So I thought may be the PSU power is inadequate and disconnected the 2 chasis fans and the power to a CD-writer. Then the drive was working fine for a few hours and started to make noises again. I even took of the power from the DVD-writer, and still the same problem occurs after a few hours.

I even removed the 80GB boot drive and installed the OS on the 320GB drive. It was running fine for some time and the same noises started.

The drive check with CHKDSK and SeaTools software from seagate did not show up any problems with the disk.

I dont know whether it is a drive problem or inadequate power issue.

My System config is:
AMD athlon 64 3000+
Gigabyte motherboard with VIA chipset
512MB DDR ram
80 GB Seagate PATA drive
a CD-writer, a DVD-writer, and FDD.
with 2 chasis fans.

I have 380W PSU for my system. Is this PSU enough for adding the extra 320GB drive?
If not what will be the minimum requirement for the PSU for this config and Please suggest a good PSU.

Thanks in advance,
RPDP

 

[Atheus]

Brand of the PSU? Wattage ratings mean very little.

I doubt it's the power though. Have you searched the net for others with the same issue? Have you called Seagate?

 

[RPDP]

The PSU was the one which came along the Zebronics Chasis. So I think it is Zebronics ZEB-400W Plus [the label mentions 400W PSU, and a line in it mentions "Total Output : 380W"].

Thanks for the reply.

I also think that its not related to the PSU, as it was running fine before the SATA drive was connected. Also I have plugged-in many IDE HDD drives to the same config many times and it was running without any problems.

My doubt on the PSU arised as the noise was similar to that occured in my external HDD with a loosely attached power cord.
I am searching thru the net, to see if there are any issues related to my config first.

 

[coupland]

If I bought a new HD, plugged it in and it started screeching and my machine crashed, I would end the troubleshooting right there. The drive is bad. Or are you saying the screeching is coming from something other than the drive?

 

[Thetech]

Have you tried opening the case and using a cardboard paper towel tube placed on your ear to pinpoint where the noise is coming from?
I had a similar problem before and it was a fan that need a little silicone lubricant applied.

 

[RPDP]

The noise is coming from the new 320GB HDD only. When I unplug that drive, my system seems to run perfectly without any noise. The problem is that it does not happen always. It happens at random times, sometimes at the bootscreen itself and the machine hangs, and sometimes it happens hours after the system bootsup.
Also it is not a contiuous screehing noise, but a noise which repeats itself for every second or two.

I have connected additional IDE drives many times to the same config without any problems, but this is the first time I am connecting a SATA drive. I dont excatly know whether additional power is required for SATA drives.
So I am just a liitle bit confused whether it is a power problem or HDD porblem before I get it replaced.

 

[RPDP]

Atlast the problem was solved. The problem was due to a faulty 4-pin molex-to-sata power connector which was provided along with the HDD by the vendor. I found time and got a bunch of new 4-pin molex-to-sata power connectors and tried it.
Now it runs like an angel, whisper quite.....

Just replied so that it might be useful for someone having the same problem....

 

[amdskip]

From what I can tell that is a non name power supply. I would highly suggest purchasing a much higher quality name brand one to replace it. Why would you hook a $10 power supply up to your $100's of dollars in computer parts?