do HDD's like it hot?!?!?

Cheesypuff · 09-27-2006, 05:45 PM

ok...here is the situation. My HDD was feeling like it was getting too hot, and I verified it by using HDD temp programs. (it was running ~50c) anywho, I put 80mm fan pointing towards my HDD (temp goes down to ~38c), and everytime I do that, my HDD struggles, doesn't spin up, and my computer freezes, but once I point the fan somewhere else, it doesn't do that?!?! Does my HDD like it hot?!?! maybe?!?! who knows...

hapoo · 09-27-2006, 05:50 PM

easiest way to kill a hard drive is to heat it up, so no. But at the same time, i'd be concerned about temperature differentials too.

Devhux · 09-27-2006, 06:09 PM

50 degrees does sound too hot for a hard drive -- I'm wondering if it might have already caused some damage to the drive already (hence why it won't work when you have the temp lower).

Odd problem for sure.

Markel · 09-27-2006, 11:03 PM

All I can say is that you'd better make a backup of that drive pronto!

Cheesypuff · 09-28-2006, 02:05 AM

but why would my HDD freeze when it's cool, and run fine when it's hot?!?

Jeffbx · 09-28-2006, 05:49 AM

Yeah, that doesn't make sense.

Are you maybe overloading your PS with the extra fan, or maybe stealing the air from something that needs it more, like the processor or video card?

DarkFury · 09-28-2006, 06:46 AM

I'd do a S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic on that drive immediately.

Easy tool I've found to do it (recommended by Maximum PC...) is Speedfan.

http://www.sofotex.com/SpeedFan-download_L4655.html

Prngr44 · 09-28-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesypuff

but why would my HDD freeze when it's cool, and run fine when it's hot?!?

Maybe it's addicted to heat now and when you take it away it goes into withdrawals.

Let us know how it turns out.

Maarchk · 09-28-2006, 11:31 AM

i know when hdd's have problems i sometimes freeze them to buy about 20 minutes of uninterrupted live time... so i would think heat is not your friend. I think there may be some relation with regards to the fan... Have you tried using an external fan or just leaving the case open and having someone blow across it? Just to take the fan out of the equation and let the temperature test be its own variable.

Cheesypuff · 09-30-2006, 07:15 PM

ok...I took the 80mm fan out. and now, I just have the case open with a regular fan blowing in the case. Same situation. I have the fan blowing in the case, and the computer freezes, and I take the fan away, the computer runs fine. I'm actually pretty sure this is a hdd problem, because you can hear the spinnage of the hdd.

SO...I deduce, me computer hdd freezes when it's cool, and not freeze when it's hot. damn computer. WHY?!?!?!?

ArkiStan · 10-01-2006, 12:07 AM

borderline creepy.

InfiniteNothing · 10-01-2006, 12:10 AM

I'm betting on bad grease. High temperatures, better lubrication.

Kevster · 10-01-2006, 12:56 AM

From my long experience with hard drives, along with everyone else's here, I can tell you this: you are on borrowed time with that drive. You need to back up that drive riki-tik and do what DF suggests and get a S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic done on that hard drive to see what the problem is. I would do it 1) when it is functioning normally and 2) when it is not ie: when the fan is cooling it. I would also put the drive in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for 30 minutes, then run it to see if there are real temperature anomalies. If possible, I would also download the HD diagnostic utilities available from the manufacturer of the drive and use them in DOS mode so that you're relatively immune from OS issues when testing the drive.

Just curious, what is the warranty on the hard drive and are you already expired on it?

gwilks98 · 10-01-2006, 02:59 AM

You might want to open your hard drive up and re-grease the motors....

<snicker>

Cheesypuff · 10-01-2006, 11:30 AM

ahhh yes....I got this HDD about 4.5 years ago. it's a maxtor 120 gig. so no...no warranty.

blueskyclear · 10-03-2006, 07:12 PM

I lost a lot of data when I had hard drive issues, so unfortunately I learned my lesson the hard way. I guess I tended to have this unrealistic "faith" in my computer that it was not going to nosedive majorly. I ended up losing a bunch of data because my computer "intuition" was wrong. Now, I always assume the worst when I have a computer glitch/issue. And I have been routinely backing up with software designed for this purpose. I personally use StompSoft's PC BackUp http://www.stompsoft.com/pc-backup/pc-backup.html to backup all my important files.

09-27-2006, 05:45 PM	#1
Cheesypuff Vice Admiral Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cali, but missing Hong Kong and Texas Posts: 4,782	do HDD's like it hot?!?!? ok...here is the situation. My HDD was feeling like it was getting too hot, and I verified it by using HDD temp programs. (it was running ~50c) anywho, I put 80mm fan pointing towards my HDD (temp goes down to ~38c), and everytime I do that, my HDD struggles, doesn't spin up, and my computer freezes, but once I point the fan somewhere else, it doesn't do that?!?! Does my HDD like it hot?!?! maybe?!?! who knows... __________________ Life is like toilet paper, long and useful! The stars at night, are big and bright clap 4x deep in the heart of TEXAS!

09-27-2006, 05:50 PM	#2
hapoo Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield USA Posts: 9,276	easiest way to kill a hard drive is to heat it up, so no. But at the same time, i'd be concerned about temperature differentials too. __________________

09-27-2006, 06:09 PM	#3
Devhux Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 2,511	50 degrees does sound too hot for a hard drive -- I'm wondering if it might have already caused some damage to the drive already (hence why it won't work when you have the temp lower). Odd problem for sure. __________________ 0118 999 881 999 119 725... 3 Last edited by Devhux : 09-27-2006 at 07:52 PM.

09-27-2006, 11:03 PM	#4
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,733	All I can say is that you'd better make a backup of that drive pronto! __________________ stay low... keep moving...

09-28-2006, 06:46 AM	#7
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	I'd do a S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic on that drive immediately. Easy tool I've found to do it (recommended by Maximum PC...) is Speedfan. http://www.sofotex.com/SpeedFan-download_L4655.html __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

09-28-2006, 02:05 AM	#5
Cheesypuff Vice Admiral Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cali, but missing Hong Kong and Texas Posts: 4,782	but why would my HDD freeze when it's cool, and run fine when it's hot?!?

09-28-2006, 05:49 AM	#6
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Yeah, that doesn't make sense. Are you maybe overloading your PS with the extra fan, or maybe stealing the air from something that needs it more, like the processor or video card?

09-28-2006, 11:31 AM	#9
Maarchk Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Where the east meets the west. Posts: 3,066	i know when hdd's have problems i sometimes freeze them to buy about 20 minutes of uninterrupted live time... so i would think heat is not your friend. I think there may be some relation with regards to the fan... Have you tried using an external fan or just leaving the case open and having someone blow across it? Just to take the fan out of the equation and let the temperature test be its own variable. __________________ "The girl is crafty like ice is cold." "I left my heart in san francisco... And my liver at Moe's Tavern." A real friend is one who listens to you as much as they talk to you.

09-30-2006, 07:15 PM	#10
Cheesypuff Vice Admiral Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cali, but missing Hong Kong and Texas Posts: 4,782	ok...I took the 80mm fan out. and now, I just have the case open with a regular fan blowing in the case. Same situation. I have the fan blowing in the case, and the computer freezes, and I take the fan away, the computer runs fine. I'm actually pretty sure this is a hdd problem, because you can hear the spinnage of the hdd. SO...I deduce, me computer hdd freezes when it's cool, and not freeze when it's hot. damn computer. WHY?!?!?!?

10-01-2006, 12:07 AM	#11
ArkiStan Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Location: Recession Central Posts: 5,898	borderline creepy.

10-01-2006, 12:10 AM	#12
InfiniteNothing Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 10,086	I'm betting on bad grease. High temperatures, better lubrication.

10-01-2006, 12:56 AM	#13
Kevster Admiral Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NorCal Posts: 6,124	From my long experience with hard drives, along with everyone else's here, I can tell you this: you are on borrowed time with that drive. You need to back up that drive riki-tik and do what DF suggests and get a S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic done on that hard drive to see what the problem is. I would do it 1) when it is functioning normally and 2) when it is not ie: when the fan is cooling it. I would also put the drive in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for 30 minutes, then run it to see if there are real temperature anomalies. If possible, I would also download the HD diagnostic utilities available from the manufacturer of the drive and use them in DOS mode so that you're relatively immune from OS issues when testing the drive. Just curious, what is the warranty on the hard drive and are you already expired on it? __________________ I think over again My small adventures, my fears. The small ones that seemed so big, For all the vital things I had to get and to reach. And yet there is only one great thing, the only thing: To live to see the great day that dawns, And the light that fills the world. -old Inuit song Last edited by Kevster : 10-01-2006 at 12:59 AM.

10-01-2006, 02:59 AM	#14
gwilks98 Vice Admiral Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: StL Posts: 4,300	You might want to open your hard drive up and re-grease the motors.... <snicker> __________________ "I know the pieces fit, cause I watched them fall away." "Cold silence has A tendancy to Atrophy any Sense of compassion." MJK

10-01-2006, 11:30 AM	#15
Cheesypuff Vice Admiral Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Cali, but missing Hong Kong and Texas Posts: 4,782	ahhh yes....I got this HDD about 4.5 years ago. it's a maxtor 120 gig. so no...no warranty.

10-03-2006, 07:12 PM	#16
blueskyclear Plebe Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1	Advice I lost a lot of data when I had hard drive issues, so unfortunately I learned my lesson the hard way. I guess I tended to have this unrealistic "faith" in my computer that it was not going to nosedive majorly. I ended up losing a bunch of data because my computer "intuition" was wrong. Now, I always assume the worst when I have a computer glitch/issue. And I have been routinely backing up with software designed for this purpose. I personally use StompSoft's PC BackUp http://www.stompsoft.com/pc-backup/pc-backup.html to backup all my important files.

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