Pending HD failure?

[Fitz]

I have a homebuilt system running 3 HD's: 2 SATA Raptors in a RAID 0 config,
and an older IBM ATA Deskstar for storing back up data. The ATA disk is
partitioned, with 5MB being allocated for Windows (XP Pro) virtual memory.
When running Diskeeper (ver 8, updates installed), the RAID config
defragments fine, but the ATA drive takes 15-20 minutes, usually freezing
for a long period at about 75% complete. It also uses a huge amount of
resources- I can't access other programs or even get a menu by clicking on
the desktop "Start" icon. The front panel LCD freezes until the defrag
process makes it past 85%. Does this sound like a pending disk failure or
would moving the data off the disk and reformatting it fix the problem. I've
run checkdisk with no errors found and done a "boot-time" defrag. So far, I
am able to access and save/edit data on the disk. The disk has about 80%
free space.

System:
Gigabyte K8NNXP w/754 pin AMD64 3200
1 MB (2 X 512 MB) Mushkin 3500 Lvl 1
Antec 430 W power supply
ATI 9800 Pro
2 36 GB Raptors (RAID 0) 1 ATA HD
Plextor 708A
USB 2 cardreader
Unibrain Firewire PCI card
Crystal Fontz 634 LCD
FrontX panel

Thanks,
Fitz

 

[philo]

I have a homebuilt system running 3 HD's: 2 SATA Raptors in a RAID 0 config,
and an older IBM ATA Deskstar for storing back up data. The ATA disk is
partitioned, with 5MB being allocated for Windows (XP Pro) virtual memory.
When running Diskeeper (ver 8, updates installed), the RAID config
defragments fine, but the ATA drive takes 15-20 minutes, usually freezing
for a long period at about 75% complete. It also uses a huge amount of
resources- I can't access other programs or even get a menu by clicking on
the desktop "Start" icon. The front panel LCD freezes until the defrag
process makes it past 85%. Does this sound like a pending disk failure or
would moving the data off the disk and reformatting it fix the problem. I've
run checkdisk with no errors found and done a "boot-time" defrag. So far, I
am able to access and save/edit data on the disk. The disk has about 80%
free space.

run the mfg's harddrive diagnostic test...
more than likely you can download it free from their website

 

[DaveW]

WHY do you only have "5 MB" on the ATA drive for a swap file? That's NOT
nearly enough. Increase that to 5 GB and try the system.

 

[Fitz]

Mis-posted...it is 5 GB.

Fitz

 

[Fitz]

run the mfg's harddrive diagnostic test...

more than likely you can download it free from their website<

Thanks-
Downloaded and ran IBM Drive Fitness Test. Drive failed. Next step will be
to transfer data and replace drive.

Fitz

 

[Bob]

more than likely you can download it free from their website<

Thanks-
Downloaded and ran IBM Drive Fitness Test. Drive failed. Next step will be
to transfer data and replace drive.

I recommend Western Digital. IBM is made by Hitachi and there have
been reports of problems recently now that IBM sold out to the
ChiComs.

Also, it is crucial that you keep HD cool. WD specs are 5-55C. But 55C
is way too hot. I like to run mine around 35C. Get some extra fans
like the Panaflow Ultra Quiet fan and blow air directly onto the HD..

http://www.directron.com/80l1a.html

Use Everest to measure the HD temperature.

 

[philo]

more than likely you can download it free from their website<

Thanks-
Downloaded and ran IBM Drive Fitness Test. Drive failed. Next step will be
to transfer data and replace drive.

Fitz

good!
you will have saved your data prior to a disaster.
it seems that too many folks wait until the drive fails entirely!

 

[Fitz]

Yep- looking at an 80GB WD 7200 RPM 8mb cache 133 ATA . Going to see if I
can acquire one locally before ordering online (shipping to Alaska usually
kills any savings from online stores).

I've got a Lian Li case with 2 80mm adjustable speed fans that blow over the
HD cage. HD temp is 30C.

Thanks,
Fitz

 

[Bob]

Yep- looking at an 80GB WD 7200 RPM 8mb cache 133 ATA .

I have 3 of those HDs.

http://www.directron.com/wd800jb.html

Keep them cool and they will last a very long time. WD says 5-55C but
I like 30-35C when idle, 50C when very busy like when defragmenting.

Going to see if I

can acquire one locally before ordering online (shipping to Alaska usually
kills any savings from online stores).

But you do avoid state sales tax.

I've got a Lian Li case with 2 80mm adjustable speed fans that blow over the
HD cage. HD temp is 30C.

Excellent.

 

[Bob]

you will have saved your data prior to a disaster.
it seems that too many folks wait until the drive fails entirely!

There really is no excuse for not making a backup to another HD. Get a
removable drive bay (Kingwin KF-23) for the backup disk so you can
keep it on the shelf, and use Acronis to make a clone.

You do not have to install Acronis on Windows - just make a bootable
CD. Acronis puts all sorts of crap in Windows that you do not need.
And then you have to go to the forum to get multi-page instructions on
how to uninstall it.

 

[Fitz]

This is the backup- the primary disk are SATA Raptors (RAID 0). They're
running along just fine. It's the disk that I use to backup data from the
primary that is giving me problems.

 

[Fitz]

Ran the DFT again, this time letting it attempt to repair the disk
(corrupted sectors) after copying the folders to another computer. It was
apparently successful, and reformatting the disk and moving the data back
went smoothly. Ran Diskeeper, and it went through the disk in less than 1
minute.

Thanks for the help

Fitz