Is my HD gonna fry?

[Poplar]

Several days ago, my computer's BIOS started giving me this warning: "SMART failure may be imminent for slave drive Maxtor xxxx", every time I turn it on. I bought this 100GB Maxtor on Ebay one years ago, it is about two years old. I used it as my capture/ripping/encoding drive. I have done probably over 100 hours of capturing on it, not to mention perhaps thousands hours of ripping/encoding sessions. I always think video capture puts a heavy stress on hard drive. Many of my capture sessions lasted more than two hours. Is this the cause of the warning? How does BIOS know? It didn't mention my primary drive, so maybe it is safe? Anyone of you had similiar experience?

So far I ignored the warning. Everything is fine. I just hope it lasts longer than Saddam Hussein, so I don't need to have a "regime change'

[zodiac]

since SMART detects a problem,i would go to the maxtor web site and download max-blast and run the test.
write down the code if it gives you one and contact maxtor to see if there is a 3yr warranty then RMA it.
dont tell them that you bought it used

edit:it may say when the warranty expires on the drive.

[zzyzzx]

I used it as my capture/ripping/encoding drive. I have done probably over 100 hours of capturing on it, not to mention perhaps thousands hours of ripping/encoding sessions. I always think video capture puts a heavy stress on hard drive.

I agree with your statement about video capture being stressful for a HD and have experienced this myself. Just keep using it and look for a sale and buy a new one at your next convenience.

[i_am_dave]

Yes, it is very stressful, especially if you are using the same drive on which your OS is loaded.
I ran for about one year with a single drive. It seemed to be thrashed silly, I was becoming scared I would have a catastrophic failure and have to reload everything.
I have since bought a second drive and use this drive exclusivly for video workspace. Things run mach faster now and drive seeks have been reduce a lot.

BTW: I like the kitten picture!! Guess it's a good thing I don't like cats!!!