My new SATA HDD smokes when connected...

Parl · 02-02-2007, 12:53 PM

I've just been building a new PC for a friend and everything was going fine until I decided to turn it on with the HDD connected to the power supply, and it turns on for a split second and then it turns off.

I discovered that taking the SATA power connector out of the HDD solved the problem, and everything is fine. I've essentially finished building the PC and everything boots up fine to the BIOS and stuff. Just if I connect the HDD, it either starts smoking, or the PC just powers off immediately after I turn it on.

PSU: COLORSit 550W Link to where I bought it...
HDD: Seagate ST3250820AS 250GB Same again for this...

I've tried using both the SATA power cable AND a molex to SATA connector, so it doesn't seem to be a connection problem. And I've also tried disconnecting my case fans, graphics card power and DVD-RW power, but keeping the HDD connected to see if that's the problem, and the problem still persisted.

Can anybody please help?

SafeFromSites · 02-02-2007, 01:37 PM

sunds like the HD is defective and drawing too much power,like it has a short or something. did you try powering the HD with the SATA cable disconnected?

**8210GUY** · 02-02-2007, 01:41 PM

It seems to point to a hard drive failure, can you try another drive in there ? that should prove if the system is fine aside from the drive, did you try a molex connector directly to power the drive ? I don't mean an adaptor, it's just on mine I can use either connector, just a thought, if you got it from ebuyer don't waste time asking them, their CS blows chunks, try asking Seagate directly and hopefully you'll get a quicker response, hope this helps a bit.

Parl · 02-02-2007, 01:50 PM

I've tried connecting it without the SATA connector to the mobo. And I've tried connecting my friend's new IDE HDD in that came with the same order, that I'm putting in her PC tomorrow. I just hope I don't have any problems tomorrow, too. And yeah, that works fine with that HDD connected.

Also no direct molex connector on the drive, too, unfortunately.

So everything is fine and dandy, except when I try to use that HDD. Thanks for responding, both of you.

How would I go about getting a return for this HDD? I'd want my money back or a replacement - any would do me fine.

**8210GUY** · 02-02-2007, 01:58 PM

Definitely sounds like a bad drive then, I would not connect it to anything else incase it causes damage to that as well, contact Seagate direct and you should get a better response time than ebuyer, but you can always start the ball rolling with them as well you may get lucky and get a speedy response, but in my experience they don't rush themselves.

Parl · 02-02-2007, 02:04 PM

Thanks. I'll try to get on to Seagate about it. I always had them down as being reliable. I though I must've messed something up, but seemingly not.

This is the first true problem I've had with PC hardware (aside from "why can't I build a monster gaming PC for £300?" type questions) in a while, since my experience with two weird P4 mobos.

Luckily, I have the same model of HDD at my house, sitting there as I wait for the rest of my parts to arrive. I'm gonna go fetch that, so my he has a PC, then wait get myself a replacement. If that HDD fails, then I'll be back on here searching for help. :P

Thanks again.

Edit: I also now have the problem of a screw being stuck in the hard drive. Dear oh dear. Even my pliers trick doesn't work on it. I'll sort it though. ;)

JorisS · 02-02-2007, 02:08 PM

Generally when electronics start to smoke that's not a good sign

Parl · 02-02-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JorisS

Generally when electronics start to smoke that's not a good sign

Link? I don't believe you. Maybe something needs a new logic board.

Parl · 02-02-2007, 02:12 PM

There's something I'd like to clarify. The smoke comes from the actual connection itself, not the logic board or anything.

**8210GUY** · 02-02-2007, 02:23 PM

You worry me about the screw, am I right in assuming it is one of the screws used to secure the drive in the bay ?
And if so did you use the right size screw ?
I ask because if you used a screw that was to long and it went into the drive it may be the cause of the fault, and if so wont be covered by warranty.

JorisS · 02-02-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parl

There's something I'd like to clarify. The smoke comes from the actual connection itself, not the logic board or anything.

errr....

just smoke, or sparks as well?

Anyways, as mentioned before, wouldn't put that unit into any pc anymore. If the smoke is coming from the connection that's probably cuz it's heating up pretty well. Which means something is seriously wrong there, high current or such.

Try another HD.

Parl · 02-02-2007, 05:47 PM

The screw is actually very tiny and I got it out about 2 or 3 minutes after I edited my post. No sparks or anything, just smoke. Gonna question Seagate on it maybe tomorrow.

I've replaced the HDD with my one of the same model. Everything is now perfect, and now there's a really nice £375 gaming PC that's owns Oblivion and ready to take on UT3. A lovely 22.5 degrees on the CPU after a bit of running (no stress though).

Thanks for trying to help guys, but theres nothing what can be done with a defective unit. Well, not by me anyway.

02-02-2007, 12:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Parl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 18 OS: WinXP w/SP2	My new SATA HDD smokes when connected... I've just been building a new PC for a friend and everything was going fine until I decided to turn it on with the HDD connected to the power supply, and it turns on for a split second and then it turns off. I discovered that taking the SATA power connector out of the HDD solved the problem, and everything is fine. I've essentially finished building the PC and everything boots up fine to the BIOS and stuff. Just if I connect the HDD, it either starts smoking, or the PC just powers off immediately after I turn it on. PSU: COLORSit 550W Link to where I bought it... HDD: Seagate ST3250820AS 250GB Same again for this... I've tried using both the SATA power cable AND a molex to SATA connector, so it doesn't seem to be a connection problem. And I've also tried disconnecting my case fans, graphics card power and DVD-RW power, but keeping the HDD connected to see if that's the problem, and the problem still persisted. Can anybody please help?

02-02-2007, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Parl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 18 OS: WinXP w/SP2	I've tried connecting it without the SATA connector to the mobo. And I've tried connecting my friend's new IDE HDD in that came with the same order, that I'm putting in her PC tomorrow. I just hope I don't have any problems tomorrow, too. And yeah, that works fine with that HDD connected. Also no direct molex connector on the drive, too, unfortunately. So everything is fine and dandy, except when I try to use that HDD. Thanks for responding, both of you. How would I go about getting a return for this HDD? I'd want my money back or a replacement - any would do me fine. Last edited by Parl : 02-02-2007 at 01:59 PM.

02-02-2007, 02:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Parl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 18 OS: WinXP w/SP2	Thanks. I'll try to get on to Seagate about it. I always had them down as being reliable. I though I must've messed something up, but seemingly not. This is the first true problem I've had with PC hardware (aside from "why can't I build a monster gaming PC for £300?" type questions) in a while, since my experience with two weird P4 mobos. Luckily, I have the same model of HDD at my house, sitting there as I wait for the rest of my parts to arrive. I'm gonna go fetch that, so my he has a PC, then wait get myself a replacement. If that HDD fails, then I'll be back on here searching for help. :P Thanks again. Edit: I also now have the problem of a screw being stuck in the hard drive. Dear oh dear. Even my pliers trick doesn't work on it. I'll sort it though. ;) Last edited by Parl : 02-02-2007 at 02:06 PM.

02-02-2007, 01:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
SafeFromSites Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 142 OS: XP	sunds like the HD is defective and drawing too much power,like it has a short or something. did you try powering the HD with the SATA cable disconnected?

02-02-2007, 01:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,566 OS: xp Pro	It seems to point to a hard drive failure, can you try another drive in there ? that should prove if the system is fine aside from the drive, did you try a molex connector directly to power the drive ? I don't mean an adaptor, it's just on mine I can use either connector, just a thought, if you got it from ebuyer don't waste time asking them, their CS blows chunks, try asking Seagate directly and hopefully you'll get a quicker response, hope this helps a bit.

02-02-2007, 01:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,566 OS: xp Pro	Definitely sounds like a bad drive then, I would not connect it to anything else incase it causes damage to that as well, contact Seagate direct and you should get a better response time than ebuyer, but you can always start the ball rolling with them as well you may get lucky and get a speedy response, but in my experience they don't rush themselves.

02-02-2007, 02:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
JorisS Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 120 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate My System	Generally when electronics start to smoke that's not a good sign

02-02-2007, 02:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
Parl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 18 OS: WinXP w/SP2	There's something I'd like to clarify. The smoke comes from the actual connection itself, not the logic board or anything.

02-02-2007, 02:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,566 OS: xp Pro	You worry me about the screw, am I right in assuming it is one of the screws used to secure the drive in the bay ? And if so did you use the right size screw ? I ask because if you used a screw that was to long and it went into the drive it may be the cause of the fault, and if so wont be covered by warranty.

02-02-2007, 05:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Parl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 18 OS: WinXP w/SP2	The screw is actually very tiny and I got it out about 2 or 3 minutes after I edited my post. No sparks or anything, just smoke. Gonna question Seagate on it maybe tomorrow. I've replaced the HDD with my one of the same model. Everything is now perfect, and now there's a really nice £375 gaming PC that's owns Oblivion and ready to take on UT3. A lovely 22.5 degrees on the CPU after a bit of running (no stress though). Thanks for trying to help guys, but theres nothing what can be done with a defective unit. Well, not by me anyway.