Prob w/Maxtor ATA 133 & UDMA mode

[Hector]

I installed a new Maxtor 40 GB ATA 133 that totally locks
up (freezes) Windows XP Home randomly when in UDMA mode
(new install of Win XP). I must power off to reboot the
computer. The computer does NOT lock up when PIO mode is
used, however it runs slower.

The Maxtor ATA 133 drive is the only drive on the UDMA
cable (I've tried 2 UDMA cables). I even disconnected the
CD ROM drive from the other IDE channel. I ran Maxtor's
hard drive utility (PowerMax) to check out the hard drive,
and it checked out O.K.

I later installed the drive on a Promise ATA 133 PCI
controller card however the problem still occurs with this
set up. The motherboard is FIC AZ11 which supports Ultra
DMA66.

I believe I've checked and done all the usual things and
can't determine what the underlying problem is.
I have ruled out CPU overheat, PCI cards, power supply,
and memory by removing/replacing them however the problem
still occurs in UDMA mode. The problem does not occur in
PIO mode. I have the most current motherboard BIOS, PCI
drivers, Via chipset drivers, Windows patches, etc.

Also, the problem also does NOT occur when I replace my
old hard disk which has Win 98 still installed. UDMA runs
without a problem on the old set up which seems to rule
out a problem with the existing hardware.

I would appreciate any assistance. I notice there are
other posts in the this forum which mention problems with
Maxtor ATA 133 hard drives.

Hector

 

[Guest]

I have just got a Maxtor 80 GB Ultra series ATA 133, for
as a 2nd drive in a older Gateway, pentium III, 500 mhz,
with it's promise tech ultra ATA 66 controller card. Of
course the new drive will run at the slower speed when
connected as a slave on the primary IDE. But I have not
yet installed the Maxtor, and mayby I will exchange it
for a ATA 100 Seagate or Western Digital, which one is
best for my old PC to use as backup storage ? thanks.

 

[Gus]

Have the same hard drive. No problems, runs at umda6..

 

[Hector]

Not sure what to suggest to you. However, I've never
experienced a problematic new hard drive before. I spoke
with Maxtor tech support twice about the problem. I was
told the problem is not common, however it occurs more
than rarely. Not reassuring. In fact, it was Maxtor tech
support that suggested I install the Promise ATA 133 PCI
controller card which they assured me would solve the
problem (it didn't).

FYI, I recently installed a Maxtor 80 GB Ultra series ATA
133 in another computer with an Epox motherboard (newer
design) that supports UDMA 100 and the Maxtor works fine.
The Maxtor 80 GB Ultra series ATA 133 appears to be a
different series from the DiamondMax Plus which has been a
problem for me.

Good luck!

 

[Gus]

Try running Powermax, downloadable from www.maxtor.com and see what it says

 

[Hector]

Thanks for the suggestion however I previously downloaded
Powermax and run all utilities (except the two that format
the drive). Powermax reports the drive is O.K.

I would appreciate additional suggestions.

Hector

-----Original Message-----
Try running Powermax, downloadable from www.maxtor.com

and see what it says

 

[Gus]

Try looking at the rear of the drive and make sure no pins are bent/broken.
You should have only 1 missing pin, on the bottom row in the center.

 

[Hector]

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked drive and there is
no problem. The pins are as you described. The UDMA
cable is properly seated at both ends. It's the only
drive on the cable.

I welcome additional suggestions.

Hector

-----Original Message-----
Try looking at the rear of the drive and make sure no

pins are bent/broken. You should have only 1 missing pin,
on the bottom row in the center.

 

[Gus]

Do you have an 80 conductor connected to it? Drive requires that cable to
run at ata133.

 

[Hector]

Thanks for the suggestion. Yep, I have an 80 conductor
cable, and have tried two of them.

FYI, I called Maxtor tech supp again today and they did
not have anything new to offer other than replacing the
hard drive under warranty. I'm gonna take them up on
their offer however I HATE getting a refurbished hard
drive as a replacement. However, replacing the drive will
settle if it's defective, or if it's something very weird
with my system. I'll post what the outcome is.

I'm still open to solving the problem with the original
drive if at all possible.

Thanks,

Hector

 

[Gus]

BTW, if you send it for replacement, the new one will have a warrenty date
same as the faulty one.

 

[Hector]

Thanks for the reply. The Maxtor tech did advise me
about the new drive assuming the existing warranty after
I questioned him about it.

The tech believes the drive could be at fault since the
problem occurs even after connecting the drive through
the Promise Ultra ATA/133 Tx2 PCI controller card, which
seems to bypass the usual IDE controller arrangement.

We'll see.

Take care, Hector

-----Original Message-----
BTW, if you send it for replacement, the new one will

have a warrenty date same as the faulty one.