On 06/02/2012 18:09, Rob Malpass wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> As you may remember from my post last week, my Ubuntu machine's HD 
> died.   Despite a brand new HDD I'm having intermittent problems 
> ranging from install failing to complete with another HDD error to the 
> BIOS not detecting the drive at all.
>
> I have literally just tried a new SATA data cable and all (so far 
> touch wood!) seems well.   The thing is - if the problem persists - 
> what part should I look at replacing next?   The PSU? The mobo? Could 
> this be some sort of mains AC problem and would a new surge protector 
> be more the order of the day?   I should add I have several other 
> boxes on the same ring main that appear to be working fine.
>
> Are these "new" (yada yada I know I'm not exactly Mr Current Affairs) 
> SATA data cables any better or worse for bad connections than other 
> types of BUS e.g. usb or even pata ide?
>
>
These days, it is PSU's that seem to go bandy more frequently than 
anything else and it is usually intermittent.
I use a PSU testing tool (a half decent one with an LCD display costs 
around 40 GBP), its proved a great investment. And, I have dealt with a 
few thousand machines in the past couple of years or so and my findings 
appear consistent.
Hope that helps,
Isaac.
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