I have here a Maxtor Basics Portable Drive 500Gb (9NX2DT-500).
It formerly developed data corruption due to it seems to easily get disconnected (eg. touching the USB cable that's connecting the drive to the USB port will cause Windows to have the USB disconnect/connect sound). Thus accidentally moving the portable drive very slightly, or if placed on a not-too-stable surface, the drive will frequently get disconnected.
Perhaps the USB connector of the Maxtor portable drive has become loose due to regular usage or the USB connector is getting defective? No sign of damage on the USB connector of the drive on visual inspection though.
Checking the S.M.A.R.T. Health of this drive shows:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/219/hdtunemax
Also did a SeaTools diagnostic test:
--------------- SeaTools for Windows v1.2.0.4 ---------------
7/5/2011 8:12:15 PM
Unit Serial: 2HB1xxxx
Unit Model: Maxtor Basics Portable
Model: ST9500325AS
Serial Number: 5VE04MFV
Firmware Revision: 0001BSM1
Short DST - Started 7/5/2011 8:12:39 PM
Short DST - Pass 7/5/2011 8:13:43 PM
Short Generic - Started 7/5/2011 8:14:42 PM
Short Generic - Pass 7/5/2011 8:16:05 PM
Short DST - Started 7/5/2011 9:46:49 PM
Short DST - FAIL 7/5/2011 9:46:50 PM
SeaTools Test Code: 6BCDD9EA
Identify - Started 7/5/2011 9:48:22 PM
SMART: Supported and enabled
48-bit Address feature set supported: True
Max LBA: 976773169
Host Protected Area features: Supported and enabled
Mandatory Power Management: Supported and enabled
Security Mode: Supported not enabled
SET MAX security extension: Supported not enabled
Advanced Power Managment: Supported and enabled
Download Firmware: False
SMART self-test supported: True
SMART error logging supported: True
Drive Temperature(C/F): 43/109
Power-On Hours: 1404
Short DST - Started 7/5/2011 9:53:35 PM
Short DST - Pass 7/5/2011 9:54:40 PM
================================
It failed the Short DST once, but subsequently it's OK.
Should I be worried about the health of this drive?
(Using the Warranty Checker tool, I noted it has a few months warranty left... so I'm hoping if it's going to fail, hopefully it's still within the warranty period rather than failing after..)
(I hadn't done test the long tests yet since it may just disconnect/reconnect..)
