Re: theoretical question about disks and os

[Bill Hacker <wbh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Raphael Marmier wrote:

> Thanks, that clarified things for me.
>
> In fact I had 2 drives failing me nearly the same way, and both where 
> IBM Deskstar for 2000 and 2001. I thought about heat at the time, but 
> was not so sure anymore as they wheren't running so hot. Very sensitive 
> to heat they must be.

Not just heat. Both PCB IC failures (look for 'ash pits'),
and head positioner failures resulting in scarred media.

A couple of different IBM IDE 'Deskstar' drive 'families' -
made in different factories, earned the name 'Deathstar'.
60GB and 80 GB seem to have been among the worst ones.

That said, we have *many* IBM SCSI now 6 to 10 years in
service and one 60 GB 'Deathstar' ca 4 years in service.

We now avoid the IBM/Hitachi line, as we have avoided
Sea*grate* for a Very Long Time.

Failed capacitors on MB and in PS at around the same
time frame (2001 - 2004) have also interacted to fry
electronics on drives that had no mechanical problems
and did have adequate cooling.

Lots of info on the web:  google 'IBM Deathstar' and
'contaminated electrolyte aluminum capacitor'

Bill Hacker