[motoguy1]

Guys,

While fighting some issues I'm having with my external HD's (in Venus DS3 enclosures), I decided to run the Apple Hardware Test from the install DVD. The Quick Test runs fine, with no issues. Running the "Detailed" test, though, has an issue. When we get to the "mass storage" portion, the test craps out, giving me the error in the title:

2STF/8/3: B (lower)

Is the exact text of the message. This is being displayed on a ~1.5 year old dual 2.0 G5 PowerMac. 2gb Ram, 2x 250 internal HD's. This error was being displayed with no external items connected, aside from the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

I've found a little on the net about this, but not a lot. If anyone could offer some enlightenment or information, I'd certainly appreciate it.

Thanks!

[seanc]

Doesn't look like RAM issue, could be ur 2nd 250gb hdd in the lower slot however. Make sure it's backed up.

[Big Mac]

Yeah, it's saying something's wrong with the lower drive. What does SMART status say?

[bmonnig]

Well, that was enlightening! After reading the description of the error (found here and online), I felt pretty confident it was a disk error. The ":B (lower)" had me worried, as I didn't remember if the boot drive was the top or the bottom. S.M.A.R.T. status was "verified".

Pulling the cover off, and seeing the "B" embossed on the lower HD retaining lever pretty much took away my fear. I pulled the 300gb Seagate I installed about a year ago, with a fair bit of hope and confidence. I ran the AHT again, and sure enough...the machine passed with flying colors.

Sounds like the 3rd party Seagate SATA is hosed. I can somewhat understand this, as it's been the target directory for my Bittorrent client, so it's been spinning pretty much 24/7 for the past year or so. This also helps to explain why I was hanging up so much...I thought the problem was on the receiving end (external firewire drive), but it looks like it was on the sending side.

I'll see what files I can pull off of it, and it sounds like it's RMA time. Interesting, as a -different- Seagate 300gb ATA drive was returned to me yesterday...from the RMA I sent last week. But the first one was in an external enclosure. Hmmm...

[P]

Originally Posted by bmonnig 

I'll see what files I can pull off of it, and it sounds like it's RMA time. Interesting, as a -different- Seagate 300gb ATA drive was returned to me yesterday...from the RMA I sent last week. But the first one was in an external enclosure. Hmmm...

Yeah, that's things that make you go Hmm... Could you tell me which exact model it was? I'm going to buy a new internal HD in the next few months, and I like Seagate models, so I'd like to know exactly which one you have.

[reader50]

Try running Disk Utility on the 2nd HD. If the SMART status on it shows Verified, then you probably just need to do a directory repair. The system does an integrity check on bootup, but only on the boot partition.

No need to toss a good HD if that's all it is.