Sata HD problem

[cwolf78]

I am not sure if this should be in this forum or the general hardware, but I figured Data Storage experts might be able to shed some light on my current situation.

I have a PC that I built, it was running great... no problems to speak of. It sat dormant for awhile (after be used daily for six months or so) during a move/storage area.

When I fired it back up it was working as usual, then within a few minutes of startup the screen went blank. The lights are on but no one is home. I tried everything and ended up noticing a pattern, if I unplugged the SATA connector on the HD and plugged it back in, it would fire up again.

If I left the HD in the case, this was an ongoing deal. I took the HD bay with fan out, set it next to the computer and it runs great. It crashes once in awhile, usually when I bump the HD. Is this most likely a HD gone bad ? or could this be a SATA connection ? I have tried all four SATA ports on the MB as well as a new SATA cable.

 

[jiminator]

If I left the HD in the case, this was an ongoing deal. I took the HD bay with fan out, set it next to the computer and it runs great. It crashes once in awhile, usually when I bump the HD. Is this most likely a HD gone bad ?

lol, not something you want to do. might there be a chance that the bottom of the drive is shorting against something? aside from that, I'd test with a different drive.

 

[cwolf78]

Are you talking about the exposed underside of the HD touch some other metallic piece ? I will check when I get home, but I am pretty sure it is free and clear.

The way it goes out does make me think of a bad connection or a 'short' at some level.

This totally sucks, because otherwise this is a real nice HTPC that we use a lot.

 

[jiminator]

the only other thing would be if the power connector was not giving voltage up to spec, or if you are using a sata adapter that is causing problems. you can try switching to another power connector.

But I can see issues with a HTPC and cooling since a lot of the cases move much less air with the preference being for quiet instead of cooling.