Hard disk failed again!... and System Event Log???

sheeny (Al) · #1 03-02-2007, 12:22 PM

Just a couple of weeks ago I got a new external harddrive to backup data on my PC. The old one had failed after a few years of service.

The new one looks like it failed yesterday after just 2 weeks of service.

It is still under warranty so I've sent an email off to the supplier with a description of the error messages I'm getting. Just have to wait an see.

...however, just to satisfy my own curiosity, can anyone tell me where to find the "System Event Log" in windows XP? The error message says to check in the system event log for more details, but I'm not lookin gin the right place obviously! I've looked in the root directory of C:, and \windows, \windows\system and \windows\system32... no luck...

Al.

Dujon · #2 03-02-2007, 01:23 PM

I don't know, Al. There is a file 'ReportingEvents' (it's a .log file) but I'm not sure whether or not this will be of assistance or even if it's what you are after. Whatever, in my setup it's under C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution .

casstony · #3 03-02-2007, 02:35 PM

What brand of hard drive did you have? We've had the best luck with western digital. Seagate and maxtor have not been so good.

33South (Chris) · #4 03-02-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheeny

...however, just to satisfy my own curiosity, can anyone tell me where to find the "System Event Log" in windows XP? The error message says to check in the system event log for more details, but I'm not lookin gin the right place obviously! I've looked in the root directory of C:, and \windows, \windows\system and \windows\system32... no luck...

Al.

Start / Programs /administrative tools / event viewer / system

This will take you to the built in viewer for the log.

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #5 03-02-2007, 10:38 PM

Using Event Viewer

Event Viewer maintains logs about program, security, and system events on your computer. You can use Event Viewer to view and manage the event logs, gather information about hardware and software problems, and monitor Windows security events.

To open Event Viewer, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Event Viewer.

For information about using Event Viewer, in Event Viewer, on the Action menu, click Help.

This is the text from XP Home Help

Good luck

GeoffW1

sheeny (Al) · #6 04-02-2007, 09:05 AM

Thanks for the help guys!

It's a Maxtor harddrive, but I think I have found the problem. The case was quite warm, so I switched it off and let it cool. When I switched it on after cooling, it seems OK. The case is not particularly well ventilated, so I'll see if it turns out to be manageable or not. I have a large aluminium heat sink laying across the top of the drive ATM to see if that helps.

Al.

Striker (Tony) · #7 04-02-2007, 10:10 AM

I must be lucky,

I have never had a hard drive fail at all and I have had around 20 of them mainly Seagate.

Cooling does make a difference...I have always purchased Antec case's that have a lot internal cooling.

Regarding cooling your better off having front and rear fans supplying air flow in 1 direction then having fans on the side of your case that actualy decreases and disrupts air flow.

Glad to see it's working for you Al.
http://www.antec.com/Detail.bok?no=390