2nd VelociRapter Drive

[Toppack]

I liked the first VelociRaptor drive so much I purchased another to replace an ageing C: drive in one of our older systems.

I cloned it using Macrium-Refect.

At first it seemed great,

but then we started getting random BSODs (with different error messages)

Some of the messages pointed to either RAM or HardDrive problems.

 

So, I've now switched back to the old drive and we will see if the problem goes away.

If the Blue-screens stop then this new VR drive may not be compatible with the older Motherboard in that computer?

(the Mobo is a MSI-790FX-GD70, which is Not Real old)

Or it could be a Defective VR drive.

[Toppack]

Well, I figured that a good test would be to play graphics intensive games for a couple hours. ;-)

So,I went through the Crysis-Warhead game with No problems.

 

Now, how best to determine if is a bad drive or a compatibility problem is the question???

The only good way that I can think of is trying it in another computer with a later model motherboard.

Since it's such a random intermittent failure-mode.

 

I have a feeling that I have another Expensive Door-stop, though. :-(

[Scannan]

Hi Toppack

 

You never said whether your new vr drive is a system drive or a data drive.

[Toppack]

Hi Toppack

 

You never said whether your new vr drive is a system drive or a data drive.

 

Both VR drives were to be used to replace System (C:) drives.

 

One is in a computer with a MSI-890FXA mobo (no problems)

and the problem one was with a MSI-790FX mobo. (bsods)

 

I'll first try to determine if is a compatibility problem before I return it for a Warranty replacement.

I have another good 890FXA Mobo but it is not in a case right now, since I need another power-supply for it.

[Scannan]

The reason I asked, is because sometimes with a new system drive, there can be embedding problems initially when running the drive. It is usually solved by exercising the drive hard for a while, such as many reboots with a lot of read/writes (such as playing a game) and run a disc check after each of the first 10 boots, for twenty boots (so 2 disc checks).

This is done as part of the drive tests before sale, but sometimes there is a hiccup when it is connected to the home pc.

May be worth a try.

[Toppack]

Yes, that's a good idea!

Sure sounds like a 'Lot of Work' though! :lol:

 

The strange thing is that I ran chkdsk Many times on the bad drive and it never found any problems.

Only after a BSOD did chkdsk find problems and then Only sometime.

That is another reason I think it may be a compatibility problem.

(the SATA interface between mobo and drive timing, since those VR drives are much faster)

The 790FX mobo was designed long before VR drives were produced.

[Scannan]

I would have thought a compatibility issue would not be intermittent. It sounds more like mis-reads/mis-writes, which can happen with new drives. I have even seen it happen on large winchester packs, and it would usually be solved by exercising the drive hard. Apparently it has something to do with a weak layering on the disc, and exercising it encourages the write to embed properly.

Now, I do not know how it will apply to the VR, but the physics should be the same.

[Toppack]

Now, I do not know how it will apply to the VR, but the physics should be the same.

 

Yes, I'll certainly give that a try, if I have BSODs with the other 890FXA mobo.

I should be able to get that computer together in the next few days,

to test it. I think I know where I can get another power-supply tomorrow.

Thanks,

[Melvin_Deal]

Hi Toppack

 

Now, how best to determine if is a bad drive or a compatibility problem is the question???

The only good way that I can think of is trying it in another computer with a later model motherboard.

Since it's such a random intermittent failure-mode.

 

Just return it and get a new one... then you will know.

 

Sincerely,

-Mel

Live long and prosper!

[Scannan]

Mel

 

There is no fun in that... it is all about the adventure

[Toppack]

Mel

 

There is no fun in that... it is all about the adventure

 

Yes, and I Hate returning anything that is still Good. ;-)

Or at Least Useable. :idea:

 

If I did that, I would consider myself a 'Failure' as a 'Mr.Fixit'. :lol:

[wozofoz]

How to fix it

 

Yes, and I Hate returning anything that is still Good. ;-)

Or at Least Useable. :idea:

 

If I did that, I would consider myself a 'Failure' as a 'Mr.Fixit'. :lol:

1) Pull it apart

2) Look at the parts from many angles and try to figure out how it works

3) Look at the parts from many angles and try to figure out why it doesn't work

4) Poke different parts with a small screwdriver

5) Put it back together

Note: There will be a small part left over, don't worry it is not necessary, just put it in the box with all the other spare parts from things you have 'fixed'

6) Test it

7) If it works tell everyone

8) If it doesn't work take it back to the shop and get another

:lol:

 

All the best, woz of oz

[Toppack]

7) If it works tell everyone

8) If it doesn't work take it back to the shop and get another

:lol:

 

All the best, woz of oz

 

:lol: Yep, that's how it goes for Me. :grin:

 

I called a friend and he has a 500.W power-supply that I can use until I can find a good deal on a purchased one. (probably on eBay)

So, I think I have everything else to put together another 'Testing' computer.

 

Oops, if I have a good Testing computer again, I may have to start doing Beta-testing Again. :shock:

NOT! :roll:

[Toppack]

Well, it seems I may have been correct, that it is a timing compatibility problem, with the older Mobo's SATA ports.

Hey, I'm surprized Also. :shock:

 

I first ran some looping videos, with audio,

then ran several BenchMark programs PCMark7, CineBench and I presently have the Heaven-benchmark program looping.

No problems yet.

I'll keep it running the remainder of the day, to be sure.

 

I wonder if Western-Digital knows about this,

since I have not found info about this type problem, on the internet?

I have read about high Failure-rates for these drives though, so those may really be caused by older Motherboards?

(We're talking about Mobos that are Only about 3 years old)

[Toppack]

Yes, the VR drive Likes it's New Home. :grin:

 

I was really Dreading the warranty-return process,:?

so I'm really glad there's no need for that. :grin:

 

Strange what a difference a Motherboard makes. :roll: :lol:

[Scannan]

Mothers....what would we do without them????

[Toppack]

I think I'll start looking for a good-deal on a MSI 990FXA-GD80.

At this rate my new 890 boards will be Obsolite in a few Hours. :shock: :roll: :lol:

[Toppack]

BTW - If my friend is watching, I do give Back borrowed power-supplies.

Eventually! ;-)

 

(I gave him this website address, so he may)

 

In fact, I've already bid on a couple of them on eBay. :-D

 

I've Not found a Good deal on a 990 board yet though.

[Melvin_Deal]

Soon.

 

Hi Toppack:grin:,

 

Soon your machine will transform, stand up, and start upgrading itself. :lol:

 

Then it will start by inserting things into you!!!

 

Wouldn't that be ironic?

 

Sincerely,

-Mel

Live long and prosper!

[Toppack]

Yes, it won't be Long, but I won't be the first to buy one of those.;-)

I'll wait for a 'Good-Deal' and I'll Never Loose Control ! :grin:

[Toppack]

I found out that to be compatible with the VelociRaptor drive

the Motherboard's SATA ports need to have a 5 to 6.Gb/s rating. (3.Gb/s minimum)

So, check the South-bridge port speed before getting a VR drive. :idea:

 

The SATA rating of the 790FX Mobo is less than 1.Gb/s. :sad:

but the 890FXA is 6.Gb/s

[Scannan]

Thanks Toppack.

 

Very valuable information. Appreciate all the feedback from your tests.

[Toppack]

I replaced the old 790FX Motherboard with a 990FXA-GD80-V2

and the VelociRapter-drive is Now Happy. (no blue-screens) :grin:

 

Of course Windows-7 did Not like me changing the Mobo,

so now I may need to get Microsoft involved with this upgrade. :-( :roll:

[Toppack]

BTW - If anyone plans to get the MSI 990FXA-GD80 Motherboard, for an AMD CPU,

be sure to get the V2 version, which is an upgrade to also handle the latest CPU versions.

(with a BIOS upgrade, along with other minor changes)

[Toppack]

I'm Happy to report that both VelociRaptor drives and the 990FXA Mobo

are Still running-strong after more than 60 days. :-D

 

The only slight problem I've encountered is the CPU gets too hot with overclocking above 3.6GHz. :?

(Even though there are Eleven fans total in that case)

I may try water-cooling to see if that helps,

since Corsair now has some great, low-cost, pre-assembled units. :idea:

(less chance of leaking with those) :grin: