Performance Problems with Fireball 3 (Ares 64K) 2F040J0

[Venom_INC]

Hello,
i have following big problem with my Fireball 3 (IDE Slave), (ARES 64K) Type: 2F040J0, Firmware: VAM51JJ0, Capacity: 40GB. The drive is extremely slow since ca. 3 years, the data rate is max. 4MB/s (HD Tach, HD Tune) mostly lesser than this value but the drive have no data errors, but the installed programs open extremly slow. My other HDs Samsung Spinpoint (SATA) and Western Digital Caviar IDE Master have more than 50MB/s the mode is udma 5. What is the problem with this Maxtor drive? Is the firmware corrupt? How i can solve it?

[drc]

1. Make a full backup of your data
2. Get a new drive

[Venom_INC]

1. Make a full backup of your data
2. Get a new drive

To 1: The drive is so slow that i need days for a complete backup!

To 2:
Is there a chance to repair my drive with a firmware upload? I want to try it!

I have found those files in your download area:
http://files.hddguru.com/download/PC-30 ... es%20C64K/

There are two different firmware versions for my HD. What is the right one for my drive, and how i can flash it into the drive?

THX!!!

[pepe]

Hi,

no, FW 'upload' won't solve this problem. BTW u cannot 'upload' the FW, it would need special tools to do so and knowledge too.
I would try imaging the drive and see how it goes. it is possible that the head is dying, but it is hard to tell just by the info U supplied.
A DR pro can be handy in this case because proper diagnostics is always essential before doing anything to the drive, and this absolutely requires years of experience, what you probably are lacking.

regards,
pepe

[BlackST]

I can fix it - the drive is slow per se, but your has serious problems. No you can't fix by yourself. If data is not important replace it. Otherwise ask a pro to image the drive with proper gear. And forget using a 8 years old drive no more.

[prodata]

1. Make a full backup of your data
2. Get a new drive

I suggest the same

[rameez]

These hdd are the worst drives manufactured by maxtor . If there is no important data on the drive throw it away befrore it makes a problem for u .

[jono-ats]

These drives simply wear out. They get an increasing number of bad sectors and often the SMART log gets corrupted or the G-List overflows and damages other firmware. Or else the heads fail.

I don't know if there is a commonly available utility to turn off SMART on the drive (it can be easily done with expensive gear) but maybe that might help the speed a little -- maybe not.

I agree with the others. Take it to a pro to image it and toss it out.

[BlackST]

No there is no free utility for doing any maintenance (sigh!) ... anyway it's at least 8 years old... time for a new drive. Close this thread ? P.S. sell the drive for parts...