Hard Drive Maintenence & Boot Up

Wolfus · 07-01-2009, 08:25 AM

Hello there, I have a concern about the way my computer has been acting lately. I believe the problem lies within the hard drive, but I'm not 100% sure yet.

I'm currently running Windows XP, using two hard drives:
HDS72258 0VLSA80 (SCSI Hitachi, 80gb)
96147H6 (IDE Maxtor, 60gb)

These are the names listed via the Device Manager.

The problem I'm having may be considered a small one, but I'm not sure if it will grow into further issues. Upon booting up my computer, I've had two bad things happening: Sometimes the Maxtor drive doesn't show up, and sometimes my Logitech Setpoint program (loads on start-up) doesn't load properly.

After the computer has been up for awhile, there is a random, loud click noise that comes from the computer which appears to be coming from one of the hard drives.

Generally, restarting the computer will fix the missing hard drive problem and restarting the Logitech Setpoint program will fix the initial loading issues. Small stuff, perhaps, but my PC has been running smoothly for nearly a year now and I want to make sure it stays that way.

Are these things to be worried about in the long run or am I just paranoid? Any help is appreciated.

**raptor_pa** · 07-01-2009, 08:29 AM

Clicking is a potential problem, just based on what ou are seeing, souds like the drive that is going missing is having problems initing, and my be losing init at some point during operation. the click could well be that drive trying to seek to the Service Area to reload the drive adaptives so it can re-init. Best bet would be to back up important data now, a lot cheaper than pro data recovery. usually the init issue with a click is not something that is fixable by the user, generally requires a trip to teh clean room at about $1000 and up....

Amd_Man · 07-01-2009, 10:32 AM

As raptor_pa stated. The drive is failing and you should back up all your important data asap as it may quit for good at any time. All the warning signs are present.

Wolfus · 07-01-2009, 11:26 AM

I've begun backing up the important files from the faulty Maxtor to the Hitachi. Thank you for the responses.

07-01-2009, 08:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wolfus Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 59 OS: Windows XP	Hard Drive Maintenence & Boot Up Hello there, I have a concern about the way my computer has been acting lately. I believe the problem lies within the hard drive, but I'm not 100% sure yet. I'm currently running Windows XP, using two hard drives: HDS72258 0VLSA80 (SCSI Hitachi, 80gb) 96147H6 (IDE Maxtor, 60gb) These are the names listed via the Device Manager. The problem I'm having may be considered a small one, but I'm not sure if it will grow into further issues. Upon booting up my computer, I've had two bad things happening: Sometimes the Maxtor drive doesn't show up, and sometimes my Logitech Setpoint program (loads on start-up) doesn't load properly. After the computer has been up for awhile, there is a random, loud click noise that comes from the computer which appears to be coming from one of the hard drives. Generally, restarting the computer will fix the missing hard drive problem and restarting the Logitech Setpoint program will fix the initial loading issues. Small stuff, perhaps, but my PC has been running smoothly for nearly a year now and I want to make sure it stays that way. Are these things to be worried about in the long run or am I just paranoid? Any help is appreciated.

07-01-2009, 08:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,923 OS: XP	Re: Hard Drive Maintenence & Boot Up Clicking is a potential problem, just based on what ou are seeing, souds like the drive that is going missing is having problems initing, and my be losing init at some point during operation. the click could well be that drive trying to seek to the Service Area to reload the drive adaptives so it can re-init. Best bet would be to back up important data now, a lot cheaper than pro data recovery. usually the init issue with a click is not something that is fixable by the user, generally requires a trip to teh clean room at about $1000 and up.... __________________

07-01-2009, 10:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Amd_Man Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 505 OS: Dual Boot Windows Xp Pro Sp3/Vista Ultimate 64 Bit Sp1 My System	Re: Hard Drive Maintenence & Boot Up As raptor_pa stated. The drive is failing and you should back up all your important data asap as it may quit for good at any time. All the warning signs are present. __________________

07-01-2009, 11:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Wolfus Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 59 OS: Windows XP	Re: Hard Drive Maintenence & Boot Up I've begun backing up the important files from the faulty Maxtor to the Hitachi. Thank you for the responses.