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    Testing a Used Hard Drive

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by cbl12886, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. cbl12886

    cbl12886 Notebook Consultant

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    I just got a Hitachi 160GB 5400RPM Hard Drive cheap on eBay and I was wondering if there is a good way to test it with my desktop computer. I don't get my MS-1651 for another week so I want to test it while I wait. The exact model number is HTS541616J9SA00. It is an older drive but if it is working properly, I will be using it.

    -Blake
     
    cbl12886, Feb 26, 2009
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  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    The HTS541616J9SA00 is a SATA 2.5" drive.
    If your desktop has an available SATA port on the motherboard, and a extra SATA power connector, you can power the drive up with your desktop.

    Once connected, you can run hdtune on the harddrive. From their you can benchmark the drive, read S.M.A.R.T. diagnostics, and run a surface scanner to find any bad sectors.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Feb 26, 2009
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  3. cbl12886

    cbl12886 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks, I have an available SATA port and power connector so I will power it up and DL that program when I get home.
     
    cbl12886, Feb 26, 2009
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  4. cbl12886

    cbl12886 Notebook Consultant

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    First, I did the error scan and that came back ok. Then I did the benchmark but it gets about half way and then the software locks up. If I try to go back in and select the 160GB drive it locks up again and I am unable to end the process. Any ideas? It seems like a software problem to me.
     
    cbl12886, Feb 26, 2009
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  5. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I have never had any issues with hdtune
    Is the drive connected all of the way?

    You can always run microsoft scandisc i you want

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Feb 26, 2009
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  6. cbl12886

    cbl12886 Notebook Consultant

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    Are there any options on this tab that I need to turn off that maybe messing it up?

    [​IMG]
     
    cbl12886, Feb 26, 2009
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  7. cbl12886

    cbl12886 Notebook Consultant

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    Also, when I run mine it only has the blue lines at the top and not the stuff on the bottom.

    [​IMG]
     
    cbl12886, Feb 26, 2009
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  8. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    I don't think you can turn off anything on that screen. Those are read-only...

    Have you tried? :p


    --
     
    ramgen, Feb 26, 2009
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  9. cbl12886

    cbl12886 Notebook Consultant

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    I used the hard drive on my desktop as the main drive and put windows xp on it and ran HD Tune. The benchmark worked this time but I do not think it is a good drive. What do you think?

    [​IMG]

    The error check comes back ok.
     
    cbl12886, Feb 28, 2009
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  10. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    the hdtune looks fine to me. At one point it seems liek the system was trying to load something in the background, making that massive drop. You should run it again, the drop should not be their.

    If the health readings are fine and the error check doesnt bring up problems, the drive should be perfectly fine.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Feb 28, 2009
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  11. cbl12886

    cbl12886 Notebook Consultant

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    I had it on the faster benchmark setting and when I switched to the more accurate one it came up with a read error. Nothing significant was running in the background since it was a fresh install of windows xp.
     
    cbl12886, Feb 28, 2009
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  12. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    If it came up with a read error that is bad. Double check the connection to the drive. If the cable is firmly connected and their is a read error than the drive has problems. You should return it or send it back to Hitachi for replacement.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Feb 28, 2009
    #12