Hi Tex,

Once again, Undies is spot on.

If you have an environment problem, you MUST resolve this or you are just putting the replacement component under the same stress.

You do not say which model of Dell it is, but if the HDD is mounted at the front and is horizontal/lateral then I would get a hard drive cooling mounting. I use them on all my builds these days.

They fit into a 5.25 " bay, and the drive fits into the mounting. Typically they have 2/3 small fans that suck air in from the front and blow it over the HDD's surfaces. You should be able to get one for around $15 (USD)

I guess you are unlucky, even if it had a 3 year warranty, it would have just run out

Happy New Year, and good luck.

/ joke

Some of you may think that Undies and I say the same sorts of thing because we communicate telepathically, or telephonically. This is not true.............we have two tin cans and a length of string (cord).............now how many members have ever done that? c'mon. fess up

/