Hot Seagate Barracuda

mdansson83 · June 26th, 2004, 02:44 PM

I have a Seagate Barracuda and I got FanSpeed lately and its temperature is showing at 52 degrees C with a little flame picture next to it. It feels waaaaaaay hot to the touch, but I don't remember ever touching my HD before while the computer was on. Is this a normal temperature? Should I be worried? Is it failing? Is a virus doing crap to it? Enlightment appreciated, I have lots of data on it, want to have a chance to save it if this is bad. Thanks

-M.D.

bombledmonk · June 26th, 2004, 02:58 PM

I don't really know what the problem is but HD's can get really hot when they are working. Mine are running at 32C(for the bottom one) and 35 (top in the rack) If i'm doing something intesive my temps go up to ~45 but never really much higher. My friends laptop HD gets up past 60C when he is working on his computer. So it is possible you have poor cooling in you're case and it is working normally. But always have backups of anything you want to keep. (i wish i have a dvd burner... My 30CD collection of backups is getting to be alot if I chose to reload it after a failure or format.

sechs · June 26th, 2004, 03:13 PM

If the drive is idle, then that is an unusually hot temperature. Even if in use, you are challenging the specified operating temperature. As mentioned, this would be a sign of poor airflow past the drive.

I'd suggest examining cooling in your case and see if cool air is getting in at the proper places and hot air exiting.

mdansson83 · June 26th, 2004, 03:34 PM

currently the side on my case is open and the case is laying down on its side, since I've been messing with it and monitoring different components, especially my new g-card. Would the case being on its side have anything to do with it? How about the open side, since then no air is being sucked in through the front past the HD's?

I'm worried because that IS in idle!

-M.D.

FatalException · June 26th, 2004, 03:40 PM

What model seagate drive?

mdansson83 · June 26th, 2004, 04:40 PM

SpeedFan gives me this for the HD:

ST3120026A (120.0GB)

If that doesn't help, I'll pull it out. Don't know much about HD's besides that I like WD and Seagate and that those are two of the most reliable HD makers.

-M.D.

the who · June 26th, 2004, 10:25 PM

I have a 80gb samsung. It gets so hot if I touch it it burns me. Been that way for a long time and it works fine

I have a laptop drive that is so hot you could probobly fry egs on them

sechs · June 27th, 2004, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdansson83

currently the side on my case is open and the case is laying down on its side

This is the best way to ruin airflow through your case.

If you're getting these temperatures in this abnormal setup, then there's your explanation.

When measuring temperatures, you need to do it with all of the components in their nominal state, i.e., with the case closed and standing how it normally would be. If you don't do that, you are measuring something that is not useful.