[bohdanz]

My original 60GB Maxtor drive is about to die "SMART Failing" chirping sounds, the death watch in other words.

Since I can only go 120GB max with the system, would you recommend the Maxtor or Western Digital or Fujitsu/IBM drives as a replacement.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

I've read reports/reviews everywhere and there are mixed opinions on each of those brands-drives.

Again, thanks.

[Boochie]

I bought a Western Digital 80 GB drive (with the 8MB cache, I think) about a year and a half ago for similar reasons. It's worked out great. Quite a bit faster than the ailing Maxtor it supplanted. I actually kept the Maxtor in the machine as a backup drive. It chirps now and then but it still works.

[Lateralus]

I would recommend Seagate. Their drives are whisper quiet, very fast, and Seagate has the best reputation of all the major manufacturers for producing high quality drives.

[The Placid Casual]

In the last 2 years:

I have had 2 IBM drives fail on me (Death Star anyone?).

I have had 2 Seagate (Barracuda) drives fail on me.

I have had no Maxtor drives fail on me (and I have owned 15+).

I have had no Western Digital fail.

All in all, I would go with a Maxtor or WD with an 8MB cache...

Peace.