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[p]ATA IDE hardware failure

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by SlickRCBD, Oct 11, 2012.

  1. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
    Latest gem: Glittering Beljuril

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    I think it's time to retire my old Dell Optiplex GX110, the only reason I haven't is that it is my most modern working computer with a parallel port. I've had two computers since then, and one died due to a bad motherboard, while the other didn't have any serial or parallel ports (nor does it have PATA IDE) and I don't have any PCI-X parallel cards, so I use it as a print server.

    Anyways, in the last 6 months I've had a CD-ROM go bad, and two hard drives. The system is configured with two hard drives and two CD-ROMs. Oddly enough the original CD-ROM is still working, but the CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive I bought in 2003 failed on me, refusing to burn discs and then later refusing to open the door. I replaced it with a CD-RW.

    First one, and now the other hard drive have failed on me.


    Any idea what could be causing this many IDE malfunctions? The hard drives are on the primary IDE port, and the CD-ROMs on the secondary. The computer is over 10 years old and is a Windows 98SE/Windows XP dual boot. It's also the computer where I have the Infinity Engine games installed along with anything else that runs on it, while games requiring newer hardware are on the new computer.

    I'm just curious if anybody has any idea what could cause so many failures in such a short time period on a system that has proven stable for over 10 years. Other than the obvious of wear and tear due to old age on a system that has been in regular use well beyond it's expected operational lifespan.
     
    SlickRCBD, Oct 11, 2012
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  2. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I'd imagine it's as simple as the age... Have you made sure to keep the ventilation clean and freeflowing through all the years? Heat is the number one killer of electronic components.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Oct 12, 2012
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  3. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
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    I cleaned it every couple of years, and I also cleaned it every time I opened it this year for those previous failures as well as every other time I opened it for an upgrade, although the upgrades were few and far between after the first couple years. The only reason "first few years" is that I couldn't afford to do all the upgrades at once.

    It was still cheaper to do it that way than to build my own due to my mother buying it for me on a teacher discount through the school she worked for. I might actually build my own PC for the first time the next time I get a new one since she's retired and no longer getting these great deals through her job.
     
    SlickRCBD, Oct 13, 2012
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  4. henkie

    henkie Hammertime Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    Did you verify that it's actually the hdd or CD-drives that failed and not something on your motherboard like for example the southbridge?

    It could be just the age, but it does seem rather coincidental that it's happening all together now.
     
    henkie, Oct 13, 2012
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