Notebook killing hard drives one by one - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: itvend
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 10:57:31 am
content: Hello.My friend has notebook which kills hhd's and ssd's . my question is : is it because overvoltage ? hdd's after being killed , make rummbling noises and you can hear how actuator arm make that specific hitting noise. and if its is OV can it be repaired at home.EDIT:This takes usually few months.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 03:23:48 pm
content: If you suspect overvoltage then... measure the voltages.I'm more inclined to think he's throwing it around like a block of wood. HDDs are very sensitive to vibration and shock.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 03:41:49 pm
content: I expect that it is a heat problem.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:36:25 pm
content: How many has it killed, and were they new or second hand?

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:55:17 pm
content: lots of problems are because of overheating, bad controler chip or bad mobo

author: TheUnnamedNewbie
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 07:25:14 pm
content: I know a lot of people who have the same issue, and it's generally just because they move them a lot while the drive is working. Perhaps it's the same with your freind?

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 07:34:03 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on December 15, 2014, 03:23:48 pmEven old hard drives from 10 years ago handle 150G shocks by specification.

author: itvend
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 08:20:52 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on December 15, 2014, 06:36:25 pm3 drives 2 hdd's and 1 ssd. 1 original, 1 new ssd, and 1 second handEDIT:Measure voltages yes , but what is sata voltages tolerances, i mesured ~5.2V on pins ( no drive connected ) , and how to check data line voltages, can just mesure sata voltages with avarge voltmeter?

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 09:28:09 pm
content: Quote from: leppie on December 15, 2014, 07:34:03 pmWhile spinning?

author: itvend
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 11:20:38 pm
content: Quote from: SteveyG on December 15, 2014, 09:28:09 pmWho me? yes while spinning, dont know about 150G probably no

author: kingofkya
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 11:37:32 pm
content: Check for improper length screwed pressing on the harddisk. Really common if the mb has been removed at some point.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 11:44:56 pm
content: Check the fit on the connector of the hard drive to the motherboard. If it isn't tight or has bad solder joints then the connection can make/break and over time the small surges that result can damage the electronics .

author: TheUnnamedNewbie
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 08:43:29 am
content: Quote from: leppie on December 15, 2014, 07:34:03 pmIt's not only the shock that can cause damage. Moving while the drive is spinning at high speeds puts quite large stresses on the bearings. In fact, some newer drives can "sense" when falling and stop the drive to prevent shock damage.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 08:49:30 am
content: Or maybe your friend is just one of the people who think it's normal/ok to throw laptop around and let them fall of beds/chairs.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 09:09:44 am
content: Quote from: leppie on December 15, 2014, 07:34:03 pmNoooooo! Yes, the specs might specify such a figure but it's only for fractions of a second (usually milliseconds). Whilst running they are precision instruments and should be treated as such. Even with heads parked, a drop from a small height is enough to kill them. Treat them as you would your best crystal wine glasses.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 09:18:48 am
content: Irrespective of the 150G statements about mechanical drives, the OP has said that an SSD has died also.In my experience this is usually due to overheating.My daughter used to sit on the couch with a blanket over her legs and the laptop on that.The blanket prevented normal cooling airflow.It was only after she had to pay for the replacement SSD that she started using the laptop cooler knee rest I had given her.This may be a similar problem with your friend? How is the unit used?Or as Psi says.... Does the user know how to treat a piece of precision engineered technology?

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 09:56:41 am
content: Quote from: Mr.B on December 16, 2014, 09:18:48 amDust build up can block airflow, too. The vents in notebooks are quite small, and can completely block in a year or two, even if the environment is not particularly dusty. Many a hot notebook becomes wonderfully cool after hoovering them out.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 10:02:49 am
content: Quote from: coppice on December 16, 2014, 09:56:41 amAgreed.And to boot, we own two Dalmatians and two long haired cats... Bloody pet hair for Africa.The amount of pet hair I clean out of equipment on a regular basis is simply unbelievable.... especially fan aspirated equipment...

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 10:39:24 am
content: Quote from: coppice on December 16, 2014, 09:56:41 amHoovering actually works very bad. As much as I disassembled notebooks CPU/GPU heatsink still left completely clogged with moss. Without disassembling, only compressed air works well.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 10:55:47 am
content: Quote from: wraper on December 16, 2014, 10:39:24 am+1I use "EADP Airduster Plus" by Electrolube (sold by Element14) very high pressure for a canned spray and works wonders for dust and other foreign crap. Great for heat sinks and things like that. I'd be careful around sensitive/fragile parts as it could very well damage them due to the sheer pressure. I normally order this for around AUD$27 per 470g can.Contains up to 10% Dimethyl Ether but is classified as non-toxic, inflammable and inert. It also doubles as a freezing spray (boiling point of -26.5 degrees Celsius).

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 11:38:38 am
content: When you blow it do so from the air outlet, you will get a huge cloud at first then the fan will spin again.I took a old gas cylinder and rejigged it so I can store compressed air in it to blow out where the compressor is not available. Works well, though you only have limited volume, so use wisely and use a nozzle as well to get high velocity air that drags ambient along to boost volume.

author: Anks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 07:44:56 pm
content: I used to have a Dell laptop that had an issue of breaking hard drives and they even replaced the laptop for the same model but in the end gave me a different model