Notebook Fried my HDD

[DRT]

I have a failing notebook. I thought it was just the original 2.5" HDD
inside that failed. So I plugged in this spare HDD (that is in perfect
working condition), and the spare worked for about 10 minutes but then
this second HDD failed too!

When I plug in both HDDs to an USB enclosure, the first one doesn't even
spin up. The second HDD spins up and works great for about 4 minutes
then it makes a "whirring" sound as if the spindle motor is struggling
to keep spinning -- but then it stops completely and the USB LED starts
flashing. If I unplug and plug back in, it makes the struggling
whirring sound immediately and then ends up failing to work just as
before. I plugged this USB ports on two computers now with the same
results.

I knew the first HDD was toast but was very miffed that this notebook
killed the second spare HDD I had! Anyone ever have this happen? Could
it just be the notebook set some parameter wrong on this second drive
that I could somehow reset?

 

[DRT]

I have a failing notebook. I thought it was just the original 2.5" HDD
inside that failed. So I plugged in this spare HDD (that is in perfect
working condition), and the spare worked for about 10 minutes but then
this second HDD failed too!

When I plug in both HDDs to an USB enclosure, the first one doesn't even
spin up. The second HDD spins up and works great for about 4 minutes
then it makes a "whirring" sound as if the spindle motor is struggling
to keep spinning -- but then it stops completely and the USB LED starts
flashing. If I unplug and plug back in, it makes the struggling
whirring sound immediately and then ends up failing to work just as
before. I plugged this USB ports on two computers now with the same
results.

I knew the first HDD was toast but was very miffed that this notebook
killed the second spare HDD I had! Anyone ever have this happen? Could
it just be the notebook set some parameter wrong on this second drive
that I could somehow reset?

I forgot to mention that the drives are the regular parallel ATA 2.5"
HDDs. The first is a Samsung 160GB and second is a Samsung 80GB HDD.

 

[Arno Wagner]

I have a failing notebook. I thought it was just the original 2.5" HDD
inside that failed. So I plugged in this spare HDD (that is in perfect
working condition), and the spare worked for about 10 minutes but then
this second HDD failed too!

When I plug in both HDDs to an USB enclosure, the first one doesn't even
spin up. The second HDD spins up and works great for about 4 minutes
then it makes a "whirring" sound as if the spindle motor is struggling
to keep spinning -- but then it stops completely and the USB LED starts
flashing. If I unplug and plug back in, it makes the struggling
whirring sound immediately and then ends up failing to work just as
before. I plugged this USB ports on two computers now with the same
results.

I knew the first HDD was toast but was very miffed that this notebook
killed the second spare HDD I had! Anyone ever have this happen? Could
it just be the notebook set some parameter wrong on this second drive
that I could somehow reset?

Not likely. More likely it delivers unclean ot too high operating
voltage to the drive. This does permanent damage.

Arno

 

[timeOday]

Not likely. More likely it delivers unclean ot too high operating
voltage to the drive. This does permanent damage.

Arno

It could also be a coincidence.

 

[DRT]

It could also be a coincidence.

I haven't counted out the chance of a coincidence. But I'm really out
of HDDs to sacrifice to do a test. As you can see, the problem is
complicated by the fact that once the notebook burns out a drive, the
burnout cannot be undone! :-(

Can anyone point me to a good detailed pin diagram of the 2.5" PATA
connector? I have a voltage meter so I can check the voltages directly
on this notebook computer.

Otherwise, I'll have to investigate network booting or finding a way to
install *and* boot Windows from a USB HDD or big flash drive. Not sure
if that is possible.

--

 

[Rod Speed]

I haven't counted out the chance of a coincidence. But I'm really out
of HDDs to sacrifice to do a test. As you can see, the problem is
complicated by the fact that once the notebook burns out a drive, the
burnout cannot be undone! :-(

Yeah, can be a problem.

Can anyone point me to a good detailed pin diagram of the 2.5" PATA connector?
http://www.technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=pinconhdd_ata44_int

I have a voltage meter so I can check the voltages directly on this notebook computer.

Otherwise, I'll have to investigate network booting or finding a way
to install *and* boot Windows from a USB HDD or big flash drive. Not sure if that is possible.

Not if that isnt listed in the bios.