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View Full Version : HD failing! need upgrade advice


simonbenn
08-06-2004, 09:05
Hi,

My trusted WD800JB that has served me well for some time is starting to spew ATAPI errors according to XP. It's constanatly causing timeouts that make XP force it into PIO mode. This is really irritating as it makes the PC almost unusable.

I'm not sure how to prove that its the disc and not the controller flipiing out. I don't entirly trust the MB (a7v333) or the PSU which the MB says is giving out slightly off voltages.

Does anyone know a decent way of testing what is really causing this? the WD lifeguard software crashes which is not very encouraging...

Part II: assuming I have to replace the HD ( I doubt I can find the warranty, even if WD haven't changed it) What the current recomendation? It has to be a quiet and fast, pref with 8MB cache.

Alternativly should I look to upgarde the MB and CPU at this time to something bigger, with SATA?

Here's the spec as it stands:
XP1800 on asus av7333, 512 DDR, radeon 9600 std (new), WD800JB, Zalman 6000Cu flower cooler.

The cooler is only rated up to XP2800, so is it worth doing the whole lot? or do I wait for the SATA-II spec and drives with the very fast NCQ feature?


Simon

cjb110
08-06-2004, 09:39
dunno what size the drive is, but the the WD Raptor 76gb would be a recommended drive for the main os/programs.

If you need more space then the 200gb maxtor diamondmax (or is it plus??) 9 is a good fast and quiet drive.

Choccy
08-06-2004, 09:48
For the warranty couldn't you just enter the serial number etc online and check if it is still under it, I would assume like Seagate you don't need documentation as it is all done online:searchme:

http://websupport.wdc.com/warranty/serialinput.asp?custtype=end&requesttype=warranty&lang=en