ahhh... this is a LAPTOP.....THATS why the hd has only 1 year, since it is a
smaller kind (2.5 inch).
To reduce strain:
listen.... in the POWER OPTIONS (in the control panel), look in the POWER
SCHEMES.
Now there you will probably have 2 columns there, one is for PLUGGED IN and
the other for RUNNING ON BATTERIES. See this image
http://www.windowsitpro.com/Files/8540/screen_01.gif
Well when its plugged in, its not a good idea to have the hard disks turn on
and off all the time,
the system going into standby every 20 mins... This turning on and off MAY
be putting,
more strain on the system than needed. So ONLY for the plugged in options,
make the TURN OFF HARD DISKS into NEVER, and perhaps the STANDBY to NEVER or
increase the time. This depends on how you use the laptop, if you turn it
off when you leave etc.
But you get the general idea.... spining up and down the disks adds
strain... its better to have them
spinning all the time....
When in battery mode, the disk should stop spinning for conversion of
battery energy.
ALSO! have you ever seen the TEMPERATURE that the disks build up? Some
laptops get very hot.... there are some programs that can use the
built in sensors and what is called SMART technology in disks that see and
read data, and tell you the temp, and even SMART gives you
more information about the health of your disk, and even predict its life
expentancy!...
Since this is the second time.. and you are going for your 3rd disk, I think
it is time to
see why this could be happening... Just as a good doctor must look for the
cause and not treat only the symptoms
Take a look at these 3 FREE applications for your hard drive monitoring:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hddthermometer.html
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hdtune.html
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hddhealth.html
Hope this info helps...
-Ken