Bios does not recognize WD20EARS

[Tuxi]

I got this HDD yesterday, I installed it and I started running HD Tune errorscan. Then I accidentally told Firefox to download a file to the HDD and both Firefox and the HD Tune froze. I tried shutting them down from task manager, it didn't work so I restarted the computer. Then all of sudden the POST seemed to take forever and when it got to BIOS it didn't recognize the HDD. I tried booting into Windows and all I got was an endless loop of the Windows logo. I would really much appreciate any help I could get, thanks.

I'm going to RMA this drive next monday if I can't get it working within this weekend.

[Vulcan]

I'm going to RMA this drive next monday if I can't get it working within this weekend.

For those symptoms, and since you have not yet put data onto the disk, then yes, RMA-ing the drive is your best option IMHO.

[Tuxi]

I've been RMAing lots of stuff lately so I'm pretty embarrassed to RMA this HDD also but seems like it's the only way :/

[Vulcan]

I've been RMAing lots of stuff lately

Is there anything common between the items you are RMAing e.g same system / PSU? Just a thought...

[Tuxi]

No. Every time I buy a new memory kit one stick is usually faulty, I assemble the computer and then... BSOD. Getting frustrated by RMAing so much stuff. I wonder when the store starts to think I'm fooling them lol. The worst part was when I accidentally removed heatsinks from the faulty mem while pushing it into the slot. Warranty void right there. I tried discussing with the store but no matter, it was out of my wallet

[Vulcan]

Every time I buy a new memory kit one stick is usually faulty, I assemble the computer and then... BSOD.

Based on your comments, either (a) you're (unintentionally) causing the problems (ESD damage?) or (b) you may want to change your supplier... If this is happening on items bought from multiple suppliers, see (a)

[Tuxi]

Every time I buy a new memory kit one stick is usually faulty, I assemble the computer and then... BSOD.

Based on your comments, either (a) you're (unintentionally) causing the problems (ESD damage?) or (b) you may want to change your supplier... If this is happening on items bought from multiple suppliers, see (a)

I see what you're trying to tell me It's not a ESD problem. The PSU that broke down, beats me, never had a broken PSU. It's normal that memory fails, not the first time. But HDD? Never had a broken HDD in my 13 year old computing career. Even my first 3GB WD is still running like a champ.

[Vulcan]

It's not a ESD problem.

Please tell me your secret, how you can know that?

The PSU that broke down, beats me, never had a broken PSU.

Interesting that you have actually had a PSU failure - I just guessed about a possible PSU problem in a previous comment. The possible results of such a failure, are obvious of course...

It's normal that memory fails

But not at the rate which you previously mentioned, and it is especially relevant that you detect problems immediately after fitting new memory.

If I was having the multiple problems that you describe, I would not be looking at a HDD failure "in isolation". But it's your choice what you decide to do, of course

[Tuxi]

Please tell me your secret, how you can know that?

I'm very careful I guess.

Interesting that you have actually had a PSU failure - I just guessed about a possible PSU problem in a previous comment. The possible results of such a failure, are obvious of course...

The PSU failed way before I fitted the new HDD in. And only the PSU failed, everything else is in perfect condition. Also I've changed motherboard, CPU, mem after that.

But not at the rate which you previously mentioned, and it is especially relevant that you detect problems immediately after fitting new memory.

Seems like I wasn't clear enough. The mem is faulty when I get them, I assemble new computer, boom, bsod. Then I RMA them. I've never gotten a memory failure with a module that was okay in the first place.

If I was having the multiple problems that you describe, I would not be looking at a HDD failure "in isolation". But it's your choice what you decide to do, of course

I appreciate the thought but I'm running multiple HDDs and one SSD and everything is running great. This one time I ran HD Tune and somehow the new WD stopped working.

[Vulcan]

It's not a ESD problem.

Please tell me your secret, how you can know that?

I'm very careful I guess.

That answer means, with respect, that you cannot know that ESD damage isn't involved.

It's normal that memory fails

But not at the rate which you previously mentioned, and it is especially relevant that you detect problems immediately after fitting new memory.

Seems like I wasn't clear enough. The mem is faulty when I get them, I assemble new computer, boom, bsod. Then I RMA them. I've never gotten a memory failure with a module that was okay in the first place.

You were perfectly clear that you believe the RAM is faulty when you get it - I just politely disagree that your belief is proven. Since you are involved in the process of fitting, then you (or some other common factor) could be causing the problems, which you then detect as a memory failure. Sometimes the damage does not occur, and you then believe that this RAM is OK - when in fact all the RAM you receive might be OK, and then some is damaged during fitting...

As I said before, if I was in this situation, I would be changing supplier (if you believe they are the problem, and are supplying you with so much faulty memory), or I would be looking at my processes... It would be especially interesting if the RAM was still packaged in manufacturer packaging, from a reputable source, when you received it.

I am not saying that yours is an ESD problem - that's impossible to diagnose remotely, with certainty; however I am giving that as an example of a possible cause. Your multiple problems with RAM are telling us something IMHO. FYI, there have been many ESD audits of companies using wriststraps etc., where undetected faults or other problems in their processes, were still causing ESD damage. That is why I have special equipment to detect electrostatic fields on my ESD benches.

Regarding your new WD HDD: a DR pro with the necessary equipment would be able to diagnose some types of problem if you pay and send the drive to them, though not necessarily diagnose the exact cause of that problem (e.g. the exact cause of a fault with a PCB), but it's up to you whether that is worthwhile.

Anyway, this is starting to go off-topic, so I think I'll stop here. I wish you the best of luck with your future hardware.

[Tuxi]

Seems like I wasn't clear enough. The mem is faulty when I get them, I assemble new computer, boom, bsod. Then I RMA them. I've never gotten a memory failure with a module that was okay in the first place.

You were perfectly clear that you believe the RAM is faulty when you get it - I just politely disagree that your belief is proven. Since you are involved in the process of fitting, then you (or some other common factor) could be causing the problems, which you then detect as a memory failure. Sometimes the damage does not occur, and you then believe that this RAM is OK - when in fact all the RAM you receive might be OK, and then some is damaged during fitting...[/quote]

Believe me, once the mem go in, they come out many times after that. If I broke a memory module say every tenth time I fit it in, I would have broken lots of memory modules that were fine by the time I got them. As you must know a lot about assembling computers I would suspect you knew that once a new build starts aching it's most of the time the memory (uncompatible or faulty).

Anyway, this is starting to go off-topic, so I think I'll stop here. I wish you the best of luck with your future hardware.

Yeah, I was about to say this a few posts back since this is starting to feel more like an interrogation now So I'll just RMA the HDD. And by "lots of RMAing lately" I mean one PSU and one faulty/incompatible mem (the mem I managed to void the warranty for...) with three completely new builds within a month. This one build has been giving me problems, the other two were smooth as butter.

Thanks for the.. um, company

[Vulcan]

I was about to say this a few posts back since this is starting to feel more like an interrogation now

Not intentional - just getting you to question some of your assumptions.

And by "lots of RMAing lately" I mean one PSU and one faulty/incompatible mem (the mem I managed to void the warranty for...)

That's a change! Your earlier comment said:

Every time I buy a new memory kit one stick is usually faulty

That suggested that you have been getting lots of RAM problems (i.e. at least one faulty stick from each kit of 2 or 4, so therefore at least 25% (1 in 4) "believed" to be faulty). If you hadn't said this comment earlier, then you wouldn't have got the replies from me that you did.

Good luck!

[Tuxi]

That's a change! Your earlier comment said:

Then again, English isn't my native language. I should think the sentences a bit more carefully to avoid these situations. I've had faulty mem before but nothing serious.

Have a nice day