Cold Weather may have killed HD

**Smitty0881** · 02-06-2007, 06:49 PM

I'm running a 120Gig Seagate Laptop HD I bought from newegg.com. Everything was running fine and then this morning it stopped working. I turn on my carpc and I see the system doing the memory check and then screen just stays black. I've checked the IDE cable and even switched them out. When I unhook the HD from the board and turn the PC on it boots up and says something about no HD found so I know the board works. I think my HD my have got messed up by the cold MD weather. Is there anything I can do to fix it or do I just need to start looking for a new HD? Thanks.

Smitty

**MP3DUB** · 02-07-2007, 10:32 AM

How cold is it there right now? If it's much below freezing, take the pc inside for a while and see if it'll boot once its warm. Your hdd probably isnt dead, it just doesnt like the cold.

**2k1Toaster** · 02-07-2007, 11:07 AM

Well last night I saw your state was in the -5F weather colour which is -15C. That is pushing the envelope for some drives. I have gotten mine below -20C, but it is the the cabin too. I don't know where yours is located at, but just let it warm up, and it should boot right up.

EDIT: Looked at the current weather for Annapolis and it says your close to 15F. That should be ok. Again though just bring it up to room temp and try again.

**Nomader** · 02-07-2007, 11:19 AM

my 2.5 inches 40g has problems copying files when temperature reches 5 degrees celcius.. I think minus temperatures would be a problem..

**Smitty0881** · 02-07-2007, 03:17 PM

I'm in Maryland and at night time its been getting down to about 10-8 degrees. I'll try bringing the HD in the house and letting it sit in the warm for a few hours and then trying it.

-Smitty

**d_sellers1** · 02-08-2007, 02:57 AM

You could always put it in the microwave to warm it up a bit...

Derek

PS. I'm just kidding about putting it in the microwave. I take no responsibility if you actually do...

**2k1Toaster** · 02-08-2007, 03:22 AM

Originally Posted by d_sellers1

You could always put it in the microwave to warm it up a bit...

Derek

PS. I'm just kidding about putting it in the microwave. I take no responsibility if you actually do...

If you do put it in the microwave, take a picture of the sparks! Actually I don't think would harm the drive if it was just a little bit. All metal. YOur microwave would take a beating though, but hte drive should be ok. Maybe some burn marks on the platters, but that is what windows bad sector check is for!

**Smitty0881** · 02-08-2007, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by d_sellers1

You could always put it in the microwave to warm it up a bit...

Derek

PS. I'm just kidding about putting it in the microwave. I take no responsibility if you actually do...

Hey I did what you said and it set my kitchen on fire!!! What do I do now?!?!?

Just kidding

But I took the HD out of my car and sat it in the house for about 2-3 hours and tried it again but it didnt work. I think it needs to get a little bit warmer. I'm leaving it in the house all day today and I'll try this afternoon.

-Smitty

**TheMaskedMan** · 02-08-2007, 07:11 AM

Below 0C and hard drives do not mix.. I've had my share of laptop batteries start doing the click of death after forgetting them out in the car all night.