Recently, the external HDD (USB 2.0/40GB 5400RPM/FAT32 preformatted) has begun to show SIGNS of wear and tear.

However, the HDD is less than 9 months old. It refuses to be detected unless I tilt it on its side. After that, I can lay it back down and it will continue to work.

Occasionally it also causes my computer to freeze whilst booting. Unless I disconnect the HDD, it will not boot.

Are these normal signs for external HDD's or are they perhaps very common to Freecom material?

What could the problems be caused by? The HDD is always connected to my computer. Day and night. It is occasionally disconnected and taken with me when I travel.

My hard is mounted vertical.......less wear on the bearings.....maybe it prefers to be to vertical....But it is not designed to be mounted vertically as it is only 2.5" and very flat. It is lightweight as well, powered by USB only.

Should I not be worried? I MAY demand a refund as I do not TRUST the HDD, but I do not have the receipt.send it back.......check drive health......when in doubt recover the data and call support line. you may want to check with www.maximumpc.com forums under Dog Pound, to see if anyone else has had the same problem with your particular model. Cheers!I am aware of MANY others having the same problems. HDDs were a necessity by the place I would study. No HDD, no study. Unfortunately, they also have the receipt so I can not simply return it.

I will see if I can obtain diagnostic software for the HDD. I had not yet thought of doing so.