Hard Disk Monitoring

hello

Im reporting some serious bug happening with my windows 7 sp1: when I disconnect an external usb drive (after using the "Safely remove hardware and eject media" function), windows freeze and my display show some wonderful kaleidoscope of colored pixel, something I had never seen before.
If I enable "Automatic restart" in windows's "System failure" configuration, my pc reboot after 2 or 3 sec., otherwise I have to reset it manually.

I know that hdsentinel is the cause of the problem, because if I close it before removing the usb drive, I dont have any problem.
I can reproduce the problem everytime hdsentinel is running and I remove the usb drive.
Also I dont have any problem with the usb drive itself on any other pc Im plugging it to.

I noticed the option "Disable detection of USB and SCSI drives" in hdsentinel configuration, but as I use hdsentinel to monitor hdd in a raid array, I cant enable that option otherwise hdsentinel doesnt see anymore the individual hdd in my raid array.

hdsentinel is registered

here are the details of my windows and hardware:

windows 7 Enterprise sp 1 64bit
Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3,
Intel Xeon L3406
asus ati radeon hd 3450 Silent
Corsair ddr3 pc12800

the external hdd is a Fujitsu MHW2120BH 120GB SATA/150 5400

Hello,

Thanks for your message.
The coloured pixels / crashes are really interesting as it sounds like a problem with system memory.
If possible, can you please make a photo (eg. with a mobile phone) about the crash before you reset? Please send it to info (at) hdsentinel (dot) com

That may give further information and may point on a device driver and/or an other file which may be related to the issue.

Also if you can use Report menu Send test report to developer option in Hard Disk Sentinel (when the external hard disk is connected), I can check the current configuration and this may help to find out the problem.

Do you use double Y USB power cable for the external hard disk?
Like this one:



If not, the power change may cause system problems (it can be more common on connecting the disk, but may happen on removal also).

Do you use USB2.0 or the USB3.0 connection for this hard disk? Do you experience problems when you use the other?

hum, I just got a blue screen this time when connecting the usb drive, though windows didnt write any crashdump

I wrote the error code, maybe it help a little:
*** STOP: 0x70860002 (0x0000000000000003,0x0000000000000002,0x000000000000001B,0x0000000000000000)

the drive is plugged on an usb2 socket in the front of the case.
Im not using a double Y USB power cable, only a simple usb to mini-usb cable

I surprisingly couldnt reproduce the system freeze on disconnection this time...
im trying to figure out what could be different from my normal usage, and all I can see is that I usually remove the drive after a lengthy period of time and most of my pc's hdd have powered down.
I seem to remember that the hdd are powering up when I remove a drive and the colored display appear, maybe it can have a effect ?

I will keep my phone nearby in case I can reproduce the bug again, im sorry to not be able to show you now.

I havent experimented much as I always feared to get problems after the system freeze with window or the raid array

I examined the report and I see nothing weird or unusual.

Such weird issues (like this STOP message) may be related to power issues.
When the USB drive is connected to front USB (especially on a signle USB connection) it can cause high power current (a spike) for the motherboard which often results in CPU reset / crash.

I'd recommend to try an Y USB cable but at least to connect the USB drive to rear USB connector, instead of using front connector(s).
This may cause less stress for the motherboard and may prevent such issue(s) from happening.
Anyway, if you can see (or make photo) and send such BSOD screens, they may help.

One USB 2.0 connection may provide up to 500 mA (front panel connections may even provide less).
One USB 3.0 connection may provide up to 900 mA.

So if you may check in rear (motherboard integrated) USB 2.0 connector (preferably with Y USB cable) or the current cable in an USB 3.0 connector, things should be better.

thank you,
it seems I may have been quick with my assumption, though I dont recall having these problem before installing hdsentinel.
I will experiment your suggestions and see if I can get some definitive problem pattern.

best regards
Oliver

Thanks !
Anyway, please let me know your experiences after some testing.
I'd also check the power supply - just to make sure it can provide enough power for all devices and especially the disks.