Windows 7: HDD problem

Hello, i got a problem with my Seagate barracuda 500 GB SATA2 hdd, it makes awful noises and just "turns off". I can hear device disconnect sound and D:\ + E:\ disk doesn't appear at My Computer again. System disk is 250 GB barracuda, but the 500gb works as 2 logical disks. Is it hdd problem? Sata cable? Motherboard? Same problem when XP installed.

your symptoms have only one conclusion = dying disk.

Unlike most things age is not a real factor when it comes to disks.
They can just die on you, especially when the get to warm to often.

If your disk still works sometimes, copy the data to another disk asap, but do it in little chunks at a time, so it won't run hot.

Copy max 2gb of data at a time, then wait 10 minutes to let the disk cool down.

I hope you can save your data.

good luck

An old trick ... remove the drive and place it in the freezer overnight, then transfer the data to a new drive ... sounds crazy I know, but its saved a lot of my data on more than one occasion

Yes, done that many times.
About 50% of the time it works long enough to rescue the most important files.

When applying this method, you have copy the most important stuff first.
As soon as the disk heats up, it's over and done with.

Make sure you put the disk in a airtight bag.

greetz

Nice trick. Is it working for already dead HDD?

The only guy I know of, that could do that trick was Jesus.

Sorry, not possible.

Hi, thanks for advices, but it's not dead already. Age of the disk is only 3 month, and it's been "dying" for about a month. When it crashes i just check SATA cables, and most of the time it works for a 2-3 days again

Your disk is a goner. There is no question. The clue is the sound. Recover your data, exersize your warranty. You have no other option than to do nothing and sacrifice your data and possibly your warranty.

backup data asap. any minute can be the last.

Have you seen the new WD Lazarus 15,000 RPM Enterprise Class SATA drives? Available in several denominations.