[Hybr!d]

Plug both hard drives in on seperate IDE channels thats the 'acid test'.

If its any consolation Luke i had a 320GB HDD die in my standby desktop christmas eve ! brilliant timing !!!

[Wolfeymole]

Dave, 2 hard drives?

[Hybr!d]

Originally Posted by Wolfeymole

Dave, 2 hard drives?

Completely misread this haven't I?

Well, disconnect both CD drives and plug the Single HD on the IDE with nothing else connected.

Check it in the BIOS first, if it doesn't show up there its pretty much knackered.

[Wolfeymole]

I think we have both misread this entire thread.
Let me get this right Luke

You have a sata drive containing the OS
You have an ATA drive externally
You have two optical drives that you haven't a clue how are configured yes?

Please let us know before we go out of our minds with frustration or cheap cider. :D

[Hybr!d]

Just so you know, SATA and IDE work on different channels so they cannot cancel each other out, obviously having two IDE devices on the same jumper setting and channel will.

My advice still applies, connect only the suspect HD and see if it shows in the BIOS.

[Luke Flegg]

I have had the worst possible scenarious with both Maxtor DiamondMax10 SATA drives, and equivelent ATA drives. What a rubbish line. Hours and hours of my life (and hairs from my head) that have gone that I will never get back. seya later maxtor..

I'll try Western Digital next.

[Hybr!d]

Originally Posted by Luke Flegg

I have had the worst possible scenarious with both Maxtor DiamondMax10 SATA drives, and equivelent ATA drives. What a rubbish line. Hours and hours of my life (and hairs from my head) that have gone that I will never get back. seya later maxtor..

I'll try Western Digital next.

As I said above I had 3-4 go in 18 months, they were all Maxtors.

Go with western digital mate, no problems in 11 months, and my PC is on 24/7 365.

[Hybr!d]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...10C-BK&cat=HDD

Get one of these too, my hard drives now run touch cool, as opposed to touch very hot.

That's an American site, I cant find an example UK site right now.

Got mine off eBay.

[alex]

I've heard nothing but bad news regarding Maxtors on various forums. Guess everyone can't be wrong can they.

Personally, i've been running a 160gb external for about 2 years now. Never a day's hassle from it. I've also used various sized Maxtor's internally.

One thing i have noticed though (when i tested temps on some drives whilst 'working') is that the Maxtor's tended to run anything between 5-10 degrees warmer.

Same case, same airflow setup etc.