IP35 Pro problem

[Joanne C]

Hi folks,

Been lurking here a while since the abit forums vanished. I'm currently having a problem with my machine and I'm not sure as to the cause. I had a Seagate SATA BarraCuda 7200.11/500GB 32MB unfortunately it was one of the defective drives (bad firmware issue) and died after 2 months. I've just had the replacement arrive from my retailer and although the firmware isn't listed as being a known defective one I've started having problems.

Occasionally the PC will freeze up, the blue lights on my USB mouse go out and it becomes inoperable and keyboard also stops responding.

Do you think this too could be related to the drive? or could the issue be elsewhere.

OS is XP with SP3,

Many thanks in advance for your help

Jo.

[dexstar]

Are you using AHCI or IDE mode?

[Joanne C]

Hi Dexstar,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

It's in IDE mode

Thanx

Jo.

[dexstar]

Hi Jo,

This sounds more like a driver (SP3) or a RAM voltage problem to me.
IS it a fresh install using that drive, or is it spare? If it's not a fresh instsall it will cause problems I suspect to do the HAL settings XP needs.

You could check your RAM voltage as well, ensure it is adequate. I have also seen dodgy PSU's cause this problem. Sometimes even the power connector to the drive can go. Perhaps try another power cable to the drive and move the sata cable to another port on the MB.

Cheers,
Tim

[BUFF]

when it freezes what does the POST LED show?

oh & btw, welcome

[dexstar]

It is also worth checking which BIOS you have, and are you using UGURU?
Also check in device manager for any funnies such as HDAudio. This depends on your graphics card as it might have an SPDIF o/p on it.
If it was an update from SP2 to 3 I would ensure you have the latest from the manufacturers and not the windows ones!

[Joanne C]

Thanks for all the replies folks, It gives it me a few more things to check up on.

The XP i'm using was cloned off the older drive (also a sata) which was installed from a genuine xp disc which already has SP3 included on it.

Buff, Thanks for the welcome.. and I always forget about the display inside!! Good point.

I've updated my machine details.. I'll go and try the things you've all suggested and keep you posted

thanks again

Jo.

EDIT: Post LED is showing FF after a freeze.

uGuru Running

Bios V 17

[mac124]

Is it worth trying to run seatools and see what hat reports back?

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...loads/seatools

[Joanne C]

Hi Mac124

Was running Seatools as you replied..

just got these results

--------------- SeaTools for Windows v1.1.1.0 ---------------
29/03/2009 14:54:02
Model: ST3500320AS
Serial Number: 9QMAGGPM
Firmware Revision: SD1A
SMART - Pass 29/03/2009 14:54:02
Short DST - Started 29/03/2009 14:54:08
Short DST - FAIL 29/03/2009 14:54:36

Is it ok if I go (OK ok more crazy then!)

[Lvcoyote]

Hi Joanne,
That shows that one of the tests failed, so RMA the HDD.....again! TBH Seagate drives built in the last 6 months or a year have had nothing but problems. In fact I just lost a 320gb one just the other day, it lasted a whole three weeks.....

Best suggestion I can give you is to try a different brand at this time, until Seagate gets their act together.

[TAKTAK]

Hi Joanne,
That shows that one of the tests failed, so RMA the HDD.....again! TBH Seagate drives built in the last 6 months or a year have had nothing but problems. In fact I just lost a 320gb one just the other day, it lasted a whole three weeks.....

Best suggestion I can give you is to try a different brand at this time, until Seagate gets their act together.

^^ this

I can't remember who it was, but i think i remember someone saying that they had had 12 seagate drives die within 3 months

[Joanne C]

I did suspect the drive, but I thought it best to make sure by getting some other idea's of possible causes. So thank you to everyone who replied.

The Seagate drive problem is terrible, they really do need to sort themselves out, especially in the current economic climate.

I'll erase the drive and send it back to the retailer and ask for a different make anyone got any recommendations? I used to have no problems with Maxtor drives, but as they're now owened by Seagate i'll steer clear of those too.

Thanks again

Jo.

EDIT: Righty, after taking out the new failing Seagate drive and popping the old drive back in, I'm still getting my freeze problem, although not as often.

So I'll run a Memtest+ test, and the voltages
see if there's a spare PSU in my cupboard of electrical goodies
check the drivers again.

I take it now that Abit aren't really updating things I'd be best goin to the individual component sites for the latest drivers.

Thanks again for all your help