All my harddrives going to crash

[Espen]

The last months all my 3 harddrives have run into Different S.M.A.R.T errors . Two new Western Digital 250GB discs got Re-allocated sector count errors and today my third Harddrive WesternDigital 120GB had Raw read error rate. Something most be wrong with my computers hardware, I mean haven´t had any problem with Harddrives in 7-8 years and now all start showing different errors in one month. I realy need some advice what could cause these errors and what to do about it.

[jagabo]

Inadequate case cooling?

[normcar]

Cooling is very important. I have maxed out case fans in my case. I have also added 2 fans which I connected to the case with wire ties to blow over the HDs which were not cooled by case fans.

You should also get HD monitoring software, which can warn of IMPENDING DOOM. The monitoring software can monitor the health of the HDs, and even send emails or shut down the computer when it detects HDs with low health.

[Espen]

So these problems are overheating related? A bit strange that they haven´t run in to problem earlier. However I should get atleast one more fan to solve these problems I guees?


Where can I find HD monitoring program?

[jagabo]

So these problems are overheating related?

Not necessarily in your case, but overheating is one of the major causes of hard drive failure. Other things, like moving the computer while it's running, can cause problems.

A bit strange that they haven´t run in to problem earlier.

Maybe a case fan has recently died or isn't up to speed anymore. Sometimes there is an intake filter that's clogged with dust.

However I should get atleast one more fan to solve these problems I guees?

Yes. It also helps to maintain space between the drives. I always try to leave an empty bay between each drive. Another good practice is to have a fan blowing air into the case from the front/bottom and have your drives mounted in this airflow.

[SLK001]

There is a program called "SPEEDFAN" that I believe gives you S.M.A.R.T. information about your drives (provided they are IDE).

[Bjs]

Before fitting extra "unwanted" equipment to the pc ... you should run the basic test first .

1: Remove all drive's .
2: Add to ide0 , only the drive with the os installed
3: Add to ide1 , one of the other hd's .

Run the system in this state for atleast two days minimum

Then repeat step 3 with the final hd .

Depending on the pattern of error's that appear , you should be able to locate the problem drive quickly ... it should be removed from the system permanently .

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Dont rely on western digitals test tool's to check drive's for accuracy ... the tool's just dont work .

Download a linux mini distro called "insert" ... it's a security toolkit packed with hardware testing tool's .

The iso is bootable , burn with nero work's fine ... you need to set the bios to boot only from the cdrom , and disable the hd .

In the menu , navigation is by keys F1 to F12 ... choose hd tools ... there is a tool for testing hd's listed amongst this group which when used , throttle's the hell out of the hd's and give's a full report of the drive's parameter's and read/write thorough put's ... for each platter .

You then compare this with the manufacturer's data sheet for the drive .

If the tool reports matching thorough put's , or higher than the data sheet info ... it's fine ... anything less indicate's the drive has a problem ... keep an eye out during the test for any platter that dose not keep up with the other's ... a good indication of a faulty manufactured platter that will bring these error's .

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Western digital drive's linked into the system have a bad habit , that if one starts to show error's , they pass the problem on , affecting the other drive's .

There is nothing you can do with an affected drive because even reformating the unit will not fix the unit's issue .

The only other tip I can offer would be to set them to cs , rather than master / slave .

[Capmaster]

So these problems are overheating related? A bit strange that they haven´t run in to problem earlier. However I should get atleast one more fan to solve these problems I guees?


Where can I find HD monitoring program?

Not sure about a HD monitoring program, but I recommend also using Motherboard Monitor to keep track of your case temps and fan speeds. It isn't compatible with all motherboards, but it's free and worth a try on the chance it'll work for you

Here's a grab of what mine looks like:

[Espen]

Before fitting extra "unwanted" equipment to the pc ... you should run the basic test first .

1: Remove all drive's .
2: Add to ide0 , only the drive with the os installed
3: Add to ide1 , one of the other hd's .

Run the system in this state for atleast two days minimum

Then repeat step 3 with the final hd .

Depending on the pattern of error's that appear , you should be able to locate the problem drive quickly ... it should be removed from the system permanently .

The OS disc sems to be fine and was affected by the other 250GB. However both the other, the 120GB and the 250GB shows S.M.A.R.T error at start up. I´m going to check your tip on the other program that test the discs and see what it gives.