Maxtor DiamondMax 9 Problem

[Fish]

Hello all,

I need some help with a problem I've been having with my Maxtor
DiamondMax 9 80Gb hard disk. I use this as a secondary drive for
storing data and games.

I've had the drive a few months now, and I keep hearing clunking
noises from it. This occurs when the drive is very busy, and when it
happens the drive's performance drops dramatically (and once it
stopped completely and I had to reboot). It's for this reason only
that I'm not using it as my primary drive, since it is much faster
than my other (Ultra 66) hard disk. Here's my setup:

Motherboard: ASUS A7V (KT133)
Bios: AWARD Modular BIOS v6.0 (1011)
Other hard disk: Ultra 100 IDE controller 1 (actually a Ultra 66 hard
disk)
Maxtor: Ultra 100 IDE controller 2
CD-RW: Ultra 66 IDE controller 1
DVD: Ultra 66 IDE controller 2

(Just out of interest, is this the best way to connect these things?)

I've used Maxtor's PowerMax software, but it reported no problems (I
didn't try the formatting tests though, because I didn't want to lose
my data). I also had to connect my Maxtor to the Primary IDE
controllers (Ultra 66) for these tests, because PowerMax couldn't see
anything on the ATA 100 IDE controllers, hence the test didn't exactly
match my real use of the drive. And there were no clunking noises
during the tests, which are pretty intensive.

So has anyone else had similar problems? I've read a few posts
concerning DiamondMax drives, but none quite address my problem. Where
do you guys think the problems lies?

1) hard drive?
2) bios?
3) IDE ATA 100 controllers?
4) overheating?

I'd really like to get this sorted out, so I can use my faster hard
disk for the OS. If the problem is my hard disk, then how can I prove
it to Maxtor given that PowerMax is happy?

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Is there anything else I
should try?

Many thanks,

Fish.

 

[Will Dormann]

I've used Maxtor's PowerMax software, but it reported no problems (I

Convenient for Maxtor, huh?

So has anyone else had similar problems? I've read a few posts
concerning DiamondMax drives, but none quite address my problem. Where
do you guys think the problems lies?

Yup. The clunking sounds are usually when bad sectors develop on the
drive. The drive will recalibrate and attempt to read the sector again.
If the sector can't be read, the computer will usually hang.

I would try re-running PowerMax until you get an error code. Then
(assuming it's still under warranty) you can get an RMA for the drive.


-WD

 

[Rod Speed]

I need some help with a problem I've been having
with my Maxtor DiamondMax 9 80Gb hard disk. I use
this as a secondary drive for storing data and games.

I've had the drive a few months now, and I keep hearing
clunking noises from it. This occurs when the drive is very
busy, and when it happens the drive's performance drops
dramatically (and once it stopped completely and I had to reboot).

Urk. Clunking noises are usually the result of the drive not
being able to read the sectors properly and recalibrating
to see if it can read them after the recalibration.

Sounds like the drive is getting stinking hot when its being
used aggressively and it then that it has a problem reading.

What does something like SpeedFan say about the internal
SMART temperature, WHEN YOU SEE THE CLUNKING ?

It's for this reason only that I'm not using it as
my primary drive, since it is much faster than
my other (Ultra 66) hard disk. Here's my setup:

Motherboard: ASUS A7V (KT133)

Athlon system can be a bit on the warm side.

Bios: AWARD Modular BIOS v6.0 (1011)
Other hard disk: Ultra 100 IDE controller 1
(actually a Ultra 66 hard disk)
Maxtor: Ultra 100 IDE controller 2

How have you got the two drives mounted ?
If they are adjacent with no space between
them, it one drive may well get stinking hot if
you arent getting that much airflow over the drive.

CD-RW: Ultra 66 IDE controller 1
DVD: Ultra 66 IDE controller 2

(Just out of interest, is this the best way to connect these things?)

Its generally best to have both hard drives on the
one controller and both cdrom drives on the other,
mainly because thats easiest ribbon cable wise.

While in theory your layout is better, I bet you wouldnt
be able to pick the difference in a proper double blind
trial without being able to use a benchmark or diagnostic.

I've used Maxtor's PowerMax software,
but it reported no problems

It may not be using it aggressively enough to
get the drive hot enough to see the problem.

See what SpeedFan etc says about the internal drive
temperature just after running PowerMax and you may well
find its nothing like as hot as when you hear the clunking.

(I didn't try the formatting tests though,
because I didn't want to lose my data).

I also had to connect my Maxtor to the Primary IDE
controllers (Ultra 66) for these tests, because PowerMax
couldn't see anything on the ATA 100 IDE controllers,

Oops, there's clearly a problem there too.

hence the test didn't exactly match my real use
of the drive. And there were no clunking noises
during the tests, which are pretty intensive.

Maybe not moving the heads around as intensively tho.

So has anyone else had similar problems? I've read a few
posts concerning DiamondMax drives, but none quite address
my problem. Where do you guys think the problems lies?

1) hard drive?
2) bios?
3) IDE ATA 100 controllers?
4) overheating?

I'd check this possibility first by checking
the SMART temp when the drive is clunking.

If its not that, I'd concentrate on why the drives
arent seen on the ATA100 controllers. That may
just be some quirk of PowerMax tho. Try Hitachi's
DFT to test that possibility.

I'd really like to get this sorted out, so I can use my faster
hard disk for the OS. If the problem is my hard disk, then
how can I prove it to Maxtor given that PowerMax is happy?

Thats hard. If it isnt the drive temperature, some people
choose to kill the drive electrically so that it does fail
the PowerMax test so they can RMA the drive.

You'll have to decide for yourself the morality of that
approach, but I wouldnt hesitate to do that if I have
made sure that the drive isnt getting stinking hot and
Maxtor keeps saying that they wont RMA it, and the
drive behave the same way in a different system to
eliminate any possibility that its the ATA100 controller.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Is there anything else I should try?

You should ideally try the drive in a completely different
system and see if it behaves the same way in that system.
Not necessarily that easy for everyone to do that test tho.

 

[Fish]

Wow, thanks for your efforts guys! I will follow up your suggestions
and see where that takes me. If I find a solution (or something else
useful) I will post it here immediately.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

Convenient for Maxtor, huh?


Yup. The clunking sounds are usually when bad sectors develop on the
drive. The drive will recalibrate and attempt to read the sector again.
If the sector can't be read, the computer will usually hang.

No, it won't. But it's my experience that windows (or the driver) may
eventually hang itself up when too many read errors are encountered.

 

[Fish]

Just to say that Hitachi's DFT correctly recognises all devices on my
ATA controllers.

I haven't had time to test the other things yet. My hard disks are
currently stacked one on the other. I have a spare bay above them so
I'll be swapping things around before I perform any destructive tests
with PowerMax.

 

[Roger Gelder]

I currently have a very sick Maxtor Diamond MaxPlus but an earlier model.
It 'clunks' and freezes everything for a few seconds. Got "HDD Health"
and this shows soaring temperatures - up to 50'C. I have an RMA on
an "Advanced Replacement" in the hope of Drive Image cloning the old
to the new before it dies completely. However PowerQuest tell me that
Drive Image cannot 'recover' from a frozen drive during a cloning.
Guess I'll just have to try it early in the middle of the night at lowest
temperatures.
Best of luck,
RoJ
=============================================
: Just to say that Hitachi's DFT correctly recognises all devices on my
: ATA controllers.
:
: I haven't had time to test the other things yet. My hard disks are
: currently stacked one on the other. I have a spare bay above them so
: I'll be swapping things around before I perform any destructive tests
: with PowerMax.

 

[Fish]

I currently have a very sick Maxtor Diamond MaxPlus but an earlier model.
It 'clunks' and freezes everything for a few seconds. Got "HDD Health"
and this shows soaring temperatures - up to 50'C. I have an RMA on
an "Advanced Replacement" in the hope of Drive Image cloning the old
to the new before it dies completely. However PowerQuest tell me that
Drive Image cannot 'recover' from a frozen drive during a cloning.
Guess I'll just have to try it early in the middle of the night at lowest
temperatures.
Best of luck,

Clunks and freezes - that sounds about right!

How did you manage to cool down your drive from 50°C? (Or didn't you?)

I've decided to attack the temperature issue first. I tried the
SpeedFan software as suggested earlier, and that shows a temperature
of about 50°C for my hard disk (and a little picture of a fire, so I
guess that's bad!) At what temperature is a hard disk supposed to
operate?

I haven't moved my hard disks around yet - I'm still waiting for my
hard disk mounting bracket to arrive (out of stock - *everytime* I
order something!). I'm also considering changing my case fan, but I'm
not sure whether that would help much? Has anyone got any
recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[Will Dormann]

How did you manage to cool down your drive from 50°C? (Or didn't you?)

I've decided to attack the temperature issue first. I tried the
SpeedFan software as suggested earlier, and that shows a temperature
of about 50°C for my hard disk (and a little picture of a fire, so I
guess that's bad!) At what temperature is a hard disk supposed to
operate?

I haven't moved my hard disks around yet - I'm still waiting for my
hard disk mounting bracket to arrive (out of stock - *everytime* I
order something!). I'm also considering changing my case fan, but I'm
not sure whether that would help much? Has anyone got any
recommendations?

50C is too hot. You should shoot for below 45C.

Increase airflow in your case and/or move the drive to a location with
better air movement. Never stack drives one on top of another.


-WD

 

[Rod Speed]

Clunks and freezes - that sounds about right!

How did you manage to cool down your drive from 50°C? (Or didn't you?)

I've decided to attack the temperature issue first. I tried the SpeedFan
software as suggested earlier, and that shows a temperature of about
50°C for my hard disk (and a little picture of a fire, so I guess that's bad!)

Depends on how you like your hard drive done |-)

At what temperature is a hard disk supposed to operate?

Most specify 55C operating max.

I wouldnt run a drive at that myself tho. The low 40s is better.

I haven't moved my hard disks around yet - I'm still waiting
for my hard disk mounting bracket to arrive (out of stock -
*everytime* I order something!). I'm also considering changing
my case fan, but I'm not sure whether that would help much?

Depends on the detail. If you are adding a fan
that significantly increases the airflow over the
drives, that can make a hell of a difference.

Has anyone got any recommendations?

I prefer a quiet system so I choose drives that dont get
all that hot normally, dont stack drives adjacent in the
drive bay stack, and do something if the drive temp
gets out of the low 40s on the hottest room temps.