Hard drive shuts off?...

[9600baud]

Hi,

I've been having lots of problems w/ my computer the past few months, but luckily PCMech members have been able to get me thru them all. Now I've another problem.

I know most want all specs so here you go:
2x 120GB WD in Raid 0 using onboard RAID
Abit NF7-S2G
512 Mb CORSAIR XMS
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
Win 2k Pro w/ all patches & latest DX

The problem is during gameplay, eventually the harddrives will "shut off" (the sound of them spinning down and "clicking" to store the head or whatever it does) and the system freezes. Sometimes it will reboot the machine on its own. Then the HDDs will spin back up and start up again.

Since its during gameplay, some will say heat. Thats not an issue for its doing it now whenever I try to start the game. Its not an issue also because there are fans blowing on them that make them cool to the touch, not even warm. CPU is a tepid 38C.

During normal usage, it will run flawlessly. Browse, etc... so... yea I'm stumped.

*EDIT* oh yea some people will say its the HDDs that are corrupt but I've ran Spinrite on them using the flipping each bit thing, Windows Scandisk, and have had 0 errors. not a single bad sector.

[mikezel]

What brand/wattage power supply do you have? Based on the symptoms, it sounds like a very possible culprit.

mike

[9600baud]

Hey Mike, I think you posted on one of my other threads too so thanks again. Anyways... the PSU is a 500W Xcase. Its brand new only used for about 1 month now.

Its a strange PSU because theres only like 3 connectors so I've had to Y-split them like a lot... considering the HDDs, DVD-ROM, fans, and VC. I can see that being an issue but then again... its rated 500W?...

[formerjudge]

sounds like your hard drive is dying, my did the same thing for a whille about 6 month and then it totally died.

[mikezel]

The first thing to know about PSUs is that wattage isn't everything. Your system could probably run even on a quality 350W PSU.

I have never heard of xCase PSUs, and therefore would not trust them at all. When it comes to power supplies, brand reputation is very important. That, combined with the fact that you have done excessive Y-splitting, leads me to think that the PSU might be your problem.

First, try disconnecting some non-essential stuff like fans (NOT the CPU fan however), so that the Y-splitting is to a minimum. If that does not work, I would recommend swapping in a different PSU, if you can. If either one of these solves the problem, chances are good its the PSU.

Mike

[9600baud]

Hey Judge. Well... I hope I can pinpoint the problem. Could you post what exactly happened on ur system? Did it happen randomly or during certain programs etc... Thanks.

*EDIT* Hey Mike. I'll add that to the list of things to try tonight thanks. If theres more suggestions I can queue up for tonight they're all welcome too. =)

[formerjudge]

my hd started locking up randmoly, coudn't pinpoint the problem so rma the power supply thinking it was at fault. Got new power supply everything seemd to be okay for a week and then my hd died and it also took my power supply with it, could have been the opposite i am not sure. I have antec 400w

[9600baud]

No didnt work... Unplugged basically everything and still does it. Oh woes... >_<

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by 9600baud The problem is during gameplay, eventually the harddrives will "shut off" (the sound of them spinning down and "clicking" to store the head or whatever it does) and the system freezes. Sometimes it will reboot the machine on its own. Then the HDDs will spin back up and start up again.

Sounds like your hard drives may be on their way out. Although I find it a weird coincidence to have two hard drives on the verge of failure at the same time.

[9600baud]

Any other suggestions?... =( I mean... I did re-scan it throughly and still 0 errors...

[mikezel]

Still might be a bad PSU, do you have another one you can try?

[9600baud]

I do but its the same brand hehe I'm gonna shell out $$ for a brand name one I guess...

[Iniamyen]

I would bet on the PSU. Especially because it's only during games that it happens. Games tax the system (especially the power supply) more than most activities. Also, removing a few fans is only a few Watts and I don't think that would make the difference.

It's very unlikely for two quality HD's to go out at once.

[9600baud]

wow... over $100 for a PSU, what brands should I be looking for and what wattage?...

[glc]

The last gaming box I built has a 420w Enlight - it's very affordable and is a quality unit. It's running a 6800GT just fine. I also built a couple storage servers with EIGHT SATA drives in RAID5 with that PSU, no problems.

http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?src=FG&item=17974

[Hi Ho]

The Enlight is excellent. If you want to go with Newegg they still have the Thermaltake 420w which is the exact same unit with a Thermaltake badge on it (the Enlight 420 has dissapeared). The fact that your "500w" power supply has only three connectors is a very bad sign. I'd get rid of that thing ASAP. It is a low quality unit.

[Redfallon]

Originally Posted by DBG Sounds like your hard drives may be on their way out. Although I find it a weird coincidence to have two hard drives on the verge of failure at the same time.

*could* just be one drive spinning down/parking, which would make the RAID 0 worthless, and cause the freeze. May not be both drives. Are they Raptors? Are they still under WD warranty? Download the lifeguard tools and see what they report. If any errors noted, call WD for an RMA.

At the same time, I'm also leaning towards a PSU problem, but if that doesn't solve it, look to the drives next. What "onboard" RAID controller does that board use, if it has two, which is controlling the RAID?

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by Redfallon *could* just be one drive spinning down/parking

Good point

Originally Posted by Redfallon I'm also leaning towards a PSU problem

And now considering that it could just be one drive spinning down and stopping, I'm now also turning towards a PSU problem.

[9600baud]

Hi guys... an update, I replaced the PSU and its still behaves just as bad. Its not just one of the drives spinning down I realized. Its both because when it reboots, both drives spin up, one at a time.

Anywyas... I'm not exactly sure what is up. I'm starting to realize its happening only with Warcraft III ... but I have had it happen on other games as well. But right now only WC. I did the whole drivers thing. Reinstalled the latest Catalyst many times, intalled OLD catalyst, installed DX, disabled the Soundcard, turned various filterings and accelerations off the VC, I even tried to reinstall the game on a separate HDD (not on the main RAID).

Ugh... I dont know.

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by 9600baud when it reboots, both drives spin up, one at a time

I would've thought that both drives would spin up at the same time, since the computer accesses both to find files.

I guess it's now time to try what Redfallon suggested. What's the onboard RAID controller that the motherboard uses and if there are 2 of them, which one is controlling the RAID?

[9600baud]

Hi guys, thanks for all the help. I caved in and reinstalled the OS. Its working again. ... It was a pretty barebones system too, barely had any software installed, dont know what would cause such conflicts. Installed most soft back and its still okay. Lets hope it holds up :crossfingers: