samsung confusion?!

SH4RKY

SH4RKY

SH4RKY

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Joined
28 Aug 2004
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b'ham
I just bought a new Spin Point (Samsung SpinPoint P SP2504C 250GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-018-SA))
My problem is that I cant get windows to boot when I plug it in??

Hardware:
MSI neo2 platinum
seagate 160gb sata (plugged into sata 3) boot priority etc
samsung 250gb sata (plugged into sata 4) cant find any slave options i assume this is because its sata

ive added the 1.5gbs speed limiter jumper, set the hdd to large in bios, enabled and disabled raid. windows just wont boot with it plugged in.
its odd because its almost as if it loads the first bit of windows as i sometimes get a very dark image of the windows boot screen and i hear my seagate start to read, then it stops.

in the bios though i can hear a very low/deep throbbing noise. this is the samsung as i unplugged it and it went away.

:confused: Am i missing something?? how do i get this thing to work??
 
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Problem fixed.

It was actually booting, it was just hanging for about 10-20 secs before loading windows.

But thats now the problem, why would the system freeze before loading windows with 2 HDDs plugged in?? :confused:
 
SH4RKY said:
But thats now the problem, why would the system freeze before loading windows with 2 HDDs plugged in?? :confused:
Click to expand...
Initializing the drives?

I think SATA uses staggered spinup so not all drives are started at the same time, maybe the 10-20sec delay is becasue of that?
 
oddly if i boot with the samsung in sata 3 and the seagate in sata 4 and the samsung is loading windows, i dont get the long pause?!?!
 
no, its BROKEN!

Right, I thought something was off with this drive when I noticed the HDD was causing my case to vibrate and resonate.

My SpinPoint vibrates. You can feel it, it’s almost like a DVD drive spinning up type vibration. I guess it’s like a drive spinning at 7200rpm that’s slightly out of alignment.

And it’s DRIVING ME NUTS?!?
It can't be normal. I can’t 'feel' my Seagate and a friend who also has a SpinPoint can't feel his either.


This concerns me a bit, because I want to RMA the thing and get a new one, but the drive is technically 'working'. If they just run the hutil hdd utility thing on it they will see its fine. But the vibration is not fine. The cause of the vibration it’s most likely causing increased wear and limiting the life of the unit. Not only that but it’s the most annoying sound coming from my pc. A low throbbing that you can hear in other rooms!!?!



Sorry for the life story and long post, but:

Can any of you who have a SpinPoint confirm that yours does not vibrate??
 
A couple of weeks a go i bought a 80GB Spinpoint SATA, and had loads of problems with it. I ran HUTIL and it sed it was fine, but HDTach clearly showed it was faulty, u could hear the drive making noises all the time, so when samsung say it's silent they're lying. It was also VERY slow, u could see the white bar go across before the main windows xp loading bar, in fact it would sumtimes crash at that bar. When u see the windows desktop the loading mouse curser would be there for ages.

I tried to RMA it with overclockers and they sent the drive back not even saying that it's fine and they tested it, poor service tbh.

So i sent it back to samsung last friday and got a new drive back yesturday and it's still quite noisey but i found if u change the acustics in the firmware u can make it a bit quieter. Today i've been reading SATA stuff and found that windows generally loads slow on SATA drives. I got round this using x64 windows, don't know why ?

Hope this helps, Jonny
 
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yeah, thanks for the reply.

I fear the same as what you went through. The drive is working. HDtach gives similar results to my seagate and the samsung HDD utility reports the drive as perfect. But im 100% sure it shouldnt be vibrating the way it is.

I have tried the acoustic managment thing. But its not the seeking thats the problem. Its the spinning of the drive it self.
Imagine cutting a chunk out of a disc and spinning that at 7200rpm and the vibration that being out of balance would cause.
I can only assume the mechanism is damaged, fitted incorrectly or out of alignment.


I thought when buying online you are covered by a 7, 14 or 28 day returns policy. distance act or something. i may try that to save the hassle of RMAing it and possibly getting the same drive back.
 
SH4RKY said:
I thought when buying online you are covered by a 7, 14 or 28 day returns policy. distance act or something. i may try that to save the hassle of RMAing it and possibly getting the same drive back.
Click to expand...
Yes, but iirc that only applies if you haven't used the item at all.
 
nuts... :p

well, now im torn between to try and RMA it with OcUK or just go straight to Samsung.

Oh and what does iirc stand for?
 
SH4RKY said:
Can any of you who have a SpinPoint confirm that yours does not vibrate??
Click to expand...

I have exactly the same problem you describe with my SP2504C and it's actually very annoying. I've spoken to another person who has the same problem and he's nicknamed it the "Tardis" effect. I've tried various options in HUtil and have come to the conclusion that it is a problem with a batch of drives and probably a manufacturing issue with the components used in the drive.

My SP1614C doesn't resonate in any manner whatsoever, and as you said, if you compare them side by side and put your hands on both of them you can actually feel a vibration from the SP2504C.

IIRC stands for "if I remember correctly".
 
Ah, well at least I’m not alone. :(

I think I’m going to go straight through Samsung to RMA it. I assume they will have more experience with their own drives and have vibration and sound level tests etc and will realise its faulty and replace it.

I'll report back with how I get on.


Edit:
Oh and in relation to the 28 day distance act thing; I believe it doesn’t matter if the items have been opened. The terms and conditions do not say that the item shouldn't be used. They even go as far as to suggest that the product has been opened by asking you to return all cables packaging and plastic bags etc. But since I’m up to my 7 day cancellation period this is irrelevant anyway :)
 
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From this page:

3. Under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) you have the right to cancel the contract relating to your order at any time up to the end of 7 working days after the goods are delivered. To exercise your right of cancellation, you must give written notice to Overclockers UK by letter, fax or WebNote giving details of the goods ordered and date received. Notification by phone is not acceptable. If you exercise your right of cancellation under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) after the goods have been delivered to you, you will be responsible for returning the goods to Overclockers UK at your own cost. The Distance Selling Regulations (2000) places a duty on you to take reasonable care of the goods once you have exercised your right to cancel. Returned items must be packaged properly and shipped in a plain outer box. Please try to include all internal packaging, cables, manuals, drivers and protective bags, however small. Overclockers UK will refund you within 30 days for any sum that has been paid by you or debited from your credit or debit card for the goods. If after exercising your right under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) you do not return the goods as required, Overclockers UK may charge you a sum not exceeding the direct costs of recovering the goods. When exercising your right to cancel under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) please return goods to Overclockers UK (Esnet Ltd), Unit 40 Imex Business Park, Ormonde Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3NP.
Click to expand...
 
Yep, thats the one :)

I didn't want to quote as shop talk isnt allowed.

No where in that text does it state that the item shouldnt be open.

Infact number 4 says this:
4. Exceptions to Distance Selling Regulations (2000) - You do not have the right to cancel the contract under the Distance Selling Act if you have collected goods or if the order is for computer software which has been unsealed, or if you are not a consumer i.e. a company, partnership, sole trader or any other commercial body or registered charity.

It mentions you cant return opened software, as you woud expect due to copy protection etc. But it doesnt say anything about hardware being used and returned.
 
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Update:

REXO sent a replacement drive the same day they recieved mine. plugged in and works fine. no more vibrations.

Although it is worth noting that the drive does still vibrate but not enough to resonate the case like the last one.

So if your samsung spinpoint has heavy vibrations, RMA it and get a replacement.


Edit: This new drive has also stopped windows hanging on boot!!
 
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