portable hard drive fails from under use

[pctech]

Just plugged in my Toshiba hard drive enclosure (which in fact contains a Western Digital drive or at least thats what the system reported) and switched it on and cant get the drive to spin up although got a blue power light on the enclosure.

So looks like I'll have to either buy a new drive plus enclosure (easiest option) or get my tools out and replace the drive in this one.

Might just be easier to replace the whole unit but the tip is here, make sure you use it often.

[Rik]

I've not had an internal HD fail in years, Mitch, but I find he external drives much less reliable. I've never been able to work out why.

[pctech]

I bought what I thought would be a good quality one but it appears not to be.

[Glenn]

I've not had an internal HD fail in years, Mitch, but I find he external drives much less reliable. I've never been able to work out why.

They tend to be treated better when fitted in a laptop/computer, rather than in a bag.

[pctech]

Mine hasn't moved from on top of my tower chassis so it's not been bumped about.

[Glenn]

As it is not working Mitch, give the drive a firm tap, it may just be stiction.

[pctech]

Hmm, heard that before will do now.

[pctech]

Nope its definitely dead.

[Rik]

They tend to be treated better when fitted in a laptop/computer, rather than in a bag.

Same here.

[Steve]

I wouldn't guarantee that the blue light means the power supply is ok.

[Technical Ben]

Oh, so have you tested it in a pc? (taking it out of the caddy?)
My laptop blew a couple of USB devices before it also died. Thankfully, I rescued the portable HDD out of the caddy, and it now sits in my pc.

[Lance]

Stick it in the freezer and see if that helps

[john]

I've also got a Toshiba external drive that I haven't used for well over a year. Hope it starts again when I eventually do try it, if not thanks for the above tips.

[Gary]

I have a Lacie 500GB external few years old now, use it for time machine backups, not saying anything else to tempt fate 

[Niall]

I haven't used western digital for years as main drives. They always failed on me within a year of light/average use. Off the top of my head, and because I'm knackered, I can't remember the brand I use but I think it's Samsung.

{edit} I'm lying, my back up drive isn't WD, it's also Samsung. I really need sleep. Tra!

[pctech]

The drive in my current system is a Maxtor DiamondMax and its been great thus far (lot of Maxtor drives in the older servers at work too I believe) but sadly they were borged by Seagate, I've never found them to be that reliable.

Might go for a Samsung based one next time but make sure I power it up with the system.

[Glenn]

Seagate are rumoured to be a takeover target for WD, Samsung or Hitachi.

[Rik]

Soon there will just be one manufacturer...

[Glenn]

Highlander 

[pctech]

Oh yeah Hitachi are another brand to avoid.

Allegedly it was the failure of a Hitachi Data Systems RAID controller that brought a good proportion of Barclays' ATMs plus online banking down not once but twice.

[Glenn]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/seagate-reportedly-turned-down-takeover-bid-from-western-digital/

[pctech]

Soon there will just be one manufacturer...

And my money's on it being Chinese then God help us.

[pctech]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/seagate-reportedly-turned-down-takeover-bid-from-western-digital/

Maybe they'll launch a hostile takeover.

[Rik]

And my money's on it being Chinese then God help us.

Korean might be a more risky source, at least in terms of reliability of supply, Mitch.

[pctech]

With the recent issues I've had I've started looking at online backup services.

I am aware of the free SkyDrive but what MS giveth, MS can taketh away without warning so been looking at paid solutions.

Zen have an offering which might work well as the backup servers are effectively 'local' network wise but have been also looking at the EMC owned Mozy service which appears to offer the advantage of being able to request a copy of files on a DVD to facilitate a restore.

Just wondered if anyone uses the service?