My external hard drive might be failing: some questions...

[ComputerJinxed]

I've had this USB 2.0 external hard drive w/built in fan for just over 2 years, and now it might die anytime. So I was wondering where I might be able to read up on how to find a good external hard drive? (This one in use currently was a gift, and I've been rather haphazard about the thing because of it.)

Basically with this external, I've been able to open it up and unplug the IDE/power cables connected to the internal HD, and switch it with another HD when I ran out of space. Are they all like this? Because browsing around, I haven't been able to find a product that distinctly said it was "HD swappable".

Also, I've been using the thing as an extension of my computer, and even reading off of it for hours at a time with the media files that were stored on it. But according to some reviews on external HD's I've been looking at, they seem to be recommended for backup purposes only. Maybe I've been using mine incorrectly? Although it seems that it was because of heating issues, since some externals dont' have fans.

About my external: A couple of days ago I slightly tripped (foot caught the wire and tugged it) and dragged the usb wire, joggling the case real quick. So now when I turn it on the hard drive won't seem to "turn on" inside, and my computer won't even detect any signs of an external drive. There's more to this; I can explain more thoroughly about this problem, if it seems fixable. But I think the enclosure (not the HD inside) is about to die/is already done for.

[glc]

Here's the enclosure I use - it's top quality. Drive is easily swappable. It can handle constant use.

http://www.apricorn.com/product_details.php?ID=332

[ComputerJinxed]

Wow, are you kidding me? That's the exact same model I have! Except mine isn't Apricot; on the aluminum side it says ZX-5, probably some 3rd party company(?). How long have you had yours for?

Before I snagged the USB cable, one of my drives had trouble "turning on" whenever I swapped it in (this was also just recently too). You know how when you turn it on, the light flickers while you hear the hard drive clicking and "turning on"? For the drive in question, it would never "turn on" and the light would stay off even though the unit itself was on and the fan running. (The computer it connected to wouldn't be able to detect any external device either.) Maybe you can relate?

And actually, after my foot snagged the USB line, I had it working for a short while, but while it ran the hard drive would all of a sudden fail to stay connected to the enclosure and would make the "turn on" and also "turn off" sound several times in succession, as if it had trouble staying connected to the enclosure. Then the light would switch off, and the drive itself would be "dead" like in the above paragraph, and anything related to the external on my computer would hang. I'd then have to turn off the enclosure without verifying it through Windows. So would this most likely confirm that the enclosure is failing?

Either way, thanks for the link. I loved using this external drive, it was so convenient to connect and swap drives-- if I need to replace it it will definitely be the same model.



P.S. One really minor gripe, the IDE and power cables inside were sometimes really tight around a hard drive. It made me nervous trying to pull them off sometimes, especially with such short cords. :P

[kilgoretrout]

I guess the logical thing to do is check the drives you are using by connecting them internally and running the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic utilities on them. If they check out OK, then also check your USB cable and try using the external enclosure on different USB ports. Basically, you want to eliminate everything but the case as the source of the problem.
I think that the hard drive is more likely to have been damaged in the accident you describe than the enclosure but connecting it internally will tell you if that is an issue. The second most likely thing to have been damaged is the usb plug on the rear of the case but you should be able to see if that is an issue so visually inspect the enclosure carefully.

[glc]

The only issue I'm having now is the power button. I've got it locked on now and just plug/unplug the power cord instead of using the button. I beat the crap out of it as I use it for work. I've had it for well over a year now.

What I really like about it is the software it comes with - an OEM version of Acronis True Image.

[ComputerJinxed]

-- I took Kilgoretrout's advice and connected the HD internally and running WD's diagnostic: the drive passed on both the extended/quick tests.

-- Switching the USB ports was already done when the problem first occured, but it wasn't the case. I also made a thorough inspection of the USB socket on the enclosure, and there isn't any sign of damage.

-- I also put a different drive into the external, and amazingly everything ran without any problems: my computer detected it, I was able to view/explore/read/write. I let it run for close to 2 hours, since the original failure didn't happen until some time after the enclosure's been on and in use.

--> So in conclusion I haven't been able to isolate the source of the problem.
Although right now I need to take out the original HD and put it back into the external to see if it will all run again.

The only other idea as to why it stopped functioning is because of drive space...? The drive is a 250 gig WD, and it's completely filled up with only 323mb of free space left. However, I've had another drive of the same capacity and equal amount of free space left (approx. 500 mb) and prior to this problem, they all ran without a hitch.

[Thanks for the support so far, my original intention was to gather more info on external drives. But I feel more fortunate now because A.) glc's link provides me with the same exact model for a replacement, and B.) it seems that there might be a chance for salvage.]

EDIT: Okay, this is weird but everything seems to be working fine now. I did clear out some more room, before putting back the HD (around 2.2 gigs free now). Would it be wise for me to just keep using the external while crossing my fingers?

[glc]

You need to keep more free space on the drive. Hard drives are not meant to be run that full, you are going to corrupt files.

[ComputerJinxed]

What would be a good rule of thumb for minimum amount of free space?

I've been reading 25% to 20% free is best, but what about hard drives for storage purposes and occasional use? It just feels like you can stuff a few more files with that much space.

[glc]

I'd leave 10% free on a storage drive - and make sure system restore and the recycle bin is turned OFF for that drive. It will not defrag if free space is less than 15%.