Grove

Hello Hardware Team,

Recently, I had change hard drives to another PC for a few days. I then changed it back to the one I am on now. I have an odd question and a hurrying problem that is delaying my computer time.

As I was inserting the hard drive back into my PC, I noticed that 3 of the little metal spikes that go into the hdd cable were bent. I proceeded to pick up a sharp object and I did [sort of] put them back in place. I then connected the hard drive cable and booted up the PC.

Now almost 90% of my boots end up with strange problems. I frequently get this program has encoutered and needs to close etc. but this doesn't happen for programs. It sometimes also says Generic Host Proccess has encoutered .. etc. It also says it for Windows Explorer. I need to solve this quickly.

Finally, is this due to the bent spikes? Is there a way to fix my problem without buying a new hard drive?

Thanks,
Grove

oldmn

Grove
If you got the pins straight enough to plug in then they are likely not your problem. You may be having driver conflicts moving from one system to the other with out reinstalling the MOB drivers. Unless if corse they are identical systems.

kodi

Handy tool for straightning bent pins; a ball point pen with the refill removed

Grove

This has become a serious issue now. My connection is very unstable so If I do not reply in the oncoming days. You know why. Not sure if I did get the pins straight. I was using a small sharp knife but I'll give the ball point pen a go.

Do you have any other ideas as to what is causing this?

Grove

Update: Apparenlty there were two pins squashed. I readjusted them using the ball point pen I thought that would fix the problem but I am wrong.

There has been no change in my problem. I have had two error message ..(firefox.exe and weather watcher have both enouctered a problem and need to close). If it was only software I'd reinstall everything but it seems to get the Windows Generic Host Process and well you need that

Any ideas what is causing this?

whodat

grove

remove the drive from the box, get a brandy new rounded cable, the older ribbon might be damaged, really check the pins with a magnifing glass, slowly insert the cable, make sure all pins entered their correct holes. reinstall the drive with the cable hanging on it.
this seems simplistic, but its necessary to make sure they are definatly correctly inserted.

then check that all cables are secure and didnt dislodge from the work

then go into your bios and make sure the drive is listed correctly and doesnt see the previous drive

linderman

I personally am going to hang my hat on the same rack as the OLDMN; thats a driver issue meesing up your software >>>> if you can access the drive then chances are you are currently ok ?????

I would change the cable as Whodat has suggested (great idea) just as a variable eliminator and its a cheap eliminator at that !!!!

I for one will subscribe to your thread >>>>> hopefully you can get resolved and back up and running ASAP we dont want your section staff mad at us for delaying you !! LOL

we can go from there >>> let us know

joe

Inactive

the diagnostics tool i downloaded for my seagate HD had a connection test to see if the mobo was communicating correctly with the HD. i don't know your HD make, but the diagnostics might tell you something.

Grove

Update: I have checked all the pins with a magnifying glass and have noticed something. Some pins (about 4) are shorter than the others. They are about 3/4 of the size of the others. Is this ment to be like that? They look like they've been squashed down, although they are not bent and are perfectly lined up.

I have used another cable that I have checked and that cable is perfect, nothing wrong with it. I inserted making sure that all the pins were in, just like you stated whosdat. I booted up and first thing I see is .... AVG has enocutered an error

This leaves me to a few questions. Would this be due to the squashed/shortened pins? Seems like the cable is not the problem. What is this diagnostics tool freddy? It might help determine something ...

Hard Drive: Seagate 80GB HDS722580VLAT20 .... Does that help?

PS: Although I might seems intelligent, I am rather like a newbie when it comes to hard drive. Sure I know how to install pieces etc. but fixing them is not my specialisation. Therefore, just a quick note, when giving me terms here, use thorough descriptions

You have been warned ...

Barry_R

The pins that are short have probably been pushed back into the connector. This could cause the solder joints for the connector to fail from the pressure initially exerted on them.

However I too think that if the machine boots to the OS that the issue is software. I also think that the hard drive is damaged and should be backed up and replaced before something worse happens.

Grove

I do have another two smaller 20GB hard drives but they both have Win 98 and I don't really want to revert to those until its my last choice.

Can the hardware team recommend something to fix my software issue then .. ?

Inactive

from here i downloaded the HD diagnostics tools that fixed up my HD. i had a physical error that was giving me extremely slow running of the os and eventually the bsod. i lost no info and everything is pretty as a pitcure now.

http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/

but your HD model number wasn't listed on their website! you're sure it's a seagate? but anyway, the diagnostics tool had a check for the connection to the mobo and if the staved pins are causing an intermitted connection then this might report something.

linderman

Freddy & Grove:


That drive model number google searches as a Hitachi Desk Star = aka the notorious Deathstar

I strongly reccomend backing up and data >>>>> count your blessings you have made it this far >>>> and begin a drive replacment strategy.

Thank god hard drives are dirt chep now >>>>> you can buy used Western Digital hard drives 7200rpm IDE 8meb cache drives on ebay for about $25.00


I strongly reccomend you pick one up >>>> back-up your data and dont delay!!

for $hits and giggles here is the Hitachi diagnostic tool
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

linderman

http://cgi.ebay.com/Western-Digital-...QQcmdZViewItem

kodi

They are not in Australia, everything is a lot dearer here

Grove

Yeah sure is. Back up ... ughh sometimes you wish your not a web and graphic designer. I got 30GB to back up and no DVD burner ... This is an old PC so there is no 2nd Hdd slot.

I suppose the best option would be to go to a friends place and transfer all my files to his hdd during this process and then when I get the new hdd, I put the files back on mine.

Unless anyone can think of something better?

linderman

you guys from AUS can buy off ebay too you know. And if you need a US buyer to help you then mail it to ya / I would do that too !!

Dont want to see my fellow Aussies suffer




joe

Grove

Its not buying that is the problem. I can buy it but I don't know if i should as I will be getting a new PC around christmas ... I am just waiting for vista now

linderman

ahhhhh now i understand >>>> dotn blame you there if a new computer is in the near furture it probally would not make sense to spend money on the old set-up ?????


decisions decisions >>> gotta love em


joe

oldmn

On the other hand an extra HDD around is not a bad thing. One would come in handy right now.
I have two HDDs in both my machines even though my C: is less than 25% full. I keep a boot-able cone of my C: on the other drive. It came in handy last night. Power flickered the machines shut down then restarted while in the process of restarting the power went out for about an hour. When I powered up C: would not Boot. Changed boot sequence Booted off the clone, cloned back to the SATA and was up and running in about 45 min.
Oldmn