Brian, What are the symptoms for the rest of us. A guru friend of mine told me last night that about 3 years is normal life span and I've had mine replaced with a larger one, but the old one is my 'buddy' still and I'm wondering how to know the 'death symptoms' rather than the 'sudden death' symptoms. Pat On Monday, June 14, 2004, at 05:25 PM, Joost van de Griek wrote: > On 2004-06-14 19:44, Brian wrote: > >> I have a hard drive that is dieing a slow painfull death. I have >> backed up the important stuff.