Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

[Agent24]

I bought a USB to IDE enclosure from Trademe a while back second hand.

It worked OK but didn't like a 40GB drive I tried with it - Lower capacity drives worked fine.

The 40GB would just make a ticking noise and wouldn't detect in Windows.


After a while, the size that would detect reliably became less and less until all drives stopped detecting altogether, and all made the ticking noise instead of working.

When connected to the computer directly, they all work fine, so the problem is the enclosure itself.


There is one capacitor in the device, which I replaced but which changed nothing.

It uses a Genesys Logic GL811E IC which seems very common for these kinds of devices.

I have not looked at the possibility of the power adaptor causing the problem, however the enclosure has a cable and backplate which allow it to be powered from your PCs internal PSU - and the fault got worse even when using that so either the power adaptor caused damage before I used it on my PC or it's something else.


Has anyone had this or a similar problem with these devices?

[mockingbird]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

You mean GL118E, not 811, correct?

Try to play with the slave/master jumpers. I often find that this helps with certain drivdx.

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

No, definitely GL811E (see datasheet)

The jumper must be on master for the device to work at all (that is what is written on the label on the inside of the enclosure)

The problem got progressively worse over time, so I doubt it would be a configuration problem anyway.

[mockingbird]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

I have several of these, they all work fine. This chip is terrible though, and only later revisions had the ability to update the firmware. I used to get delayed write failures with it, but I think Windows now has some built in failsafe for this specific chip.

The next place I would check is the 12V adapter you use to power up the drive. Try connecting it the drive to the computers molex connectors instead. Note: The drive has to be powered on -before- you plug in the USB or else Windows will not recognize it.

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

As I said in the first post, I have tried powering it from my computer's PSU.

The device came with a Molex to Mini-DIN that lets you use your PC instead of the power brick.

It used to work on both, and now it works on neither.

[mockingbird]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Yes, you're right it's 811E. Here are two different types I've got. The top one works fine, the bottom one, which is part of an enclosure, I have problems with.

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

What kind of problems do you have with yours? Just delayed write failures or something else?

IIRC I also had those, when it happened the drive would be making the ticking noises.

Get a lower capacity drive and everything would work fine again... for a while.

[goodpsusearch]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

I had problems with mine too, thought it was due to the power supply but it was the adapter.

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8487

Finally I tossed it.

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Yeah I'm pretty sure it's the adaptor itself and not the power supply.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows what could go bad... perhaps the crystal?

[momaka]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

I'm just wondering if anyone knows what could go bad... perhaps the crystal?

From what I've heard, crystals almost never go bad.
The voltage regulator next to that electrolytic capacitor looks burned, though. Definitely check if it's putting out the right voltage.

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

The regulator is just covered in flux\glue or something.

But I will check it anyway...

[seanc]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Checked the diodes either side of the power input?

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

I'm not even sure what the diodes are for, the adapter provides DC already - just protection I suppose?

Still got to test the regulator, when I find the adapter again...

[seanc]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Well the cheap power adapters often fail, so I would check that for a start.
I'm puzzled that you have the same problem when using your PC power supply. It does the same thing using your PC power supply, with the IDE cable unplugged?

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Yes, it does the same thing on both PSUs - the drive won't detect and makes funny noises.

I can't remember what it does if you turn it on without a drive connected. Will check that too...

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Found the adapter and tested:

Output from adapter:
No HDD \ With HDD
12.35v \ 12.45v
5.04v \ 4.93v

Output from Vreg:
3.29v \ 3.29v

Now I just have to find the special A to A USB cable!

[Badcappy]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Assuming the drives do spin up, the ticking noise is the actuator attempting to free the head arm from its strong magnetic mount --- and not having enough power to do so. A very large surge of current is required for this process.

[crepiduse]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

I assure you it's the power adapter or interface ports. The problem you are describing is what Badcappy said. Not enough power to sustain spinup.

[Agent24]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

I found the cable and tried the thing out again. I think I confused everyone when I said 'ticking' noise.

It's very similar to the 'data reading' sound that drives make on startup, but sounds as if it's trying to read a bad sector (it happens over and over)

The drive is NOT faulty though.


I have managed to get the thing to do three different things.

1) drive will appear to initialize normally, but windows will say "USB device not recognized"

2) drive will be detected, but model number will not be correct (random symbols etc) and it will make the repeated reading noises.

3) it will all work fine. I found this appears to be dependent on the position of the adaptor relative to the drive. Moving the adaptor around can trigger the repeated reading noise problem.

From this I get the impression that the IDE or USB cable (or maybe even power cable) or all have some issues...

[mockingbird]

Re: Faulty IDE to USB adaptor (drive makes funny noise, doesn't detect)

Yes, try changing those cables.