Momentus XT, Momentus, Momentus Thin, MobileMax, and other notebook drives

[KevinSmithq]

Hi

My computer was malfunctioning - generally slow and then often long pauses during which the hard disk writing graph went flat.  I tried a clean reinstall of operating system, but had problems installing as system would hang during install. Then got problem doing reformat as this failed too.

 I installed Seatools on my PC. The disk passed both seatools long and short test! I thought, well, lets try reformat again and do installation on ANOTHER computer with a more recent version of operating system. That seemed to work until a few days later system froze and a moment later I heard a growling sound from the disk. It’s been working fine since then (no odd noises, responsive) but I don’t trust it!

Is Seagate going to tell me “Your disk passes all the test so there’s nothing wrong with it, carry on using it.”

What should I do?

[WiseDrive]

First, give specifics and details about your hardware / software.

Insufficient information to form any opinion.

[KevinSmithq]

Good point. 

Hardware - Macbook Pro 15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009

1. Originally installed with OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. Attempted clean install,  but unsuccessful.

2. Currently Installed OS X 10.7 Lion.

SeaTools run under Windows XP via USB connection from Dell Inspiron 510m

The bottom line is the disk has made a scary noise...who in their right mind would want to continue to use it?

[WiseDrive]

What is the definition of "scary noise"?

[KevinSmithq]

It's a growling sound. Here's a recording I found which sounds similar: Got to this link and the very first set of recordings has description "clicking, knocking, sweeping sounds:", play the 3rd recording; that's what it sounds like. Bloody scary. This sound occured when it was linked up to my Mac via USB. Hung the computer too.

I'm going to link the disk back to my PC and let you know what version Bios it has. I've got a hunch it performs better when attached via USB versus internal bus of the Mac. 

[WiseDrive]

---

KevinSmithq wrote:

It's a growling sound. Here's a recording I found which sounds similar: Got to this link and the very first set of recordings has description "clicking, knocking, sweeping sounds:", play the 3rd recording; that's what it sounds like. Bloody scary. This sound occured when it was linked up to my Mac via USB. Hung the computer too.

I'm going to link the disk back to my PC and let you know what version Bios it has. I've got a hunch it performs better when attached via USB versus internal bus of the Mac. 

---

I think I know your problem.

A low level (not loud as in the example) grow is normal.

My XT 750 does exactly that.

You have it on one USB right?

Problem:  you overloaded the USB power capacity --- and the voltage drop hung the drive.

Solution:  Use an external 5V source

Or... Use the 2 USB plugs that add additional power (if available) from your Mac

If the drive has problems inside your 2009 mac.. most likely it is overloaded the power carrying ability of your ribbon cable.

It can be improved with clean contacts and a cable... but it can also be just plain overload.

[KevinSmithq]

Excellent, that's very reassuring. I'm learning: just because it's a growling sound it doesn't mean that disk is on it's way out. Phew.

Now how do we explain the rest:

1. Couldn't install OS Snow Leopard when disk installed internally

2. Struggled to copy new disk image onto disk when disk installed internally

3. Works fine via USB. (Did OS Lion install via USB and I'm continuing to run via USB.) I now fear that when I put disk back into Mac it will start behaving erratically.

 Oh, and a big thankyou for listening and responding this Saturday and Sunday!

[WiseDrive]

Dont clone, do fresh installs, and you need the latest drivers --- the Intel Matrix Driver

That will fix the rest of the problems.

[KevinSmithq]

Thanks very much for your advice. 

The Intel Matrix Driver seems to be a Windows Raid application.

I've also raised a support ticket with Seagate.

[WiseDrive]

Oppps.. you are right.. is there a new driver for the Macs?

That would explain things.