On 06/02/12 19:10, Isaac Close wrote: > On 06/02/2012 18:09, Rob Malpass wrote: >> >> Hi all >> >> As you may remember from my post last week, my Ubuntu machine's HD >> died. Despite a brand new HDD I'm having intermittent problems >> ranging from install failing to complete with another HDD error to the >> BIOS not detecting the drive at all. >> >> I have literally just tried a new SATA data cable and all (so far >> touch wood!) seems well. The thing is - if the problem persists - >> what part should I look at replacing next? The PSU? The mobo? Could >> this be some sort of mains AC problem and would a new surge protector >> be more the order of the day? I should add I have several other >> boxes on the same ring main that appear to be working fine. >> >> Are these "new" (yada yada I know I'm not exactly Mr Current Affairs) >> SATA data cables any better or worse for bad connections than other >> types of BUS e.g. usb or even pata ide? >> >> > These days, it is PSU's that seem to go bandy more frequently than > anything else and it is usually intermittent. > > I use a PSU testing tool (a half decent one with an LCD display costs > around 40 GBP), its proved a great investment. And, I have dealt with a > few thousand machines in the past couple of years or so and my findings > appear consistent.
A most perplexing intermittent fault turned out to be an under spec PSU (older PC) and a second DVD RW drive with a rather high power need. Mostly the PC worked well. But on some occasions, - installation process was typical - there were inexplicable probs. The DVD drive itself was no problem. Nor was the PC, after the DVD drive was removed and the original single CD drive used. A very marginal problem, and only repeatable with many many almost statistical tests. -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --------------------------------------------------------------
