Samsung Hard SATA Hard drive

[chunky]

Has anyone had the same problem that I have encountered with my new Samsung HD502HJ hard drive?
I purchase the hard drive in January 2010 and fitted it into one of my old PC`s that I was upgrading. Operating System Windows 7. All has been fine until about a week ago when a window would open up telling me that there was a S.M.A.R.T error and I would need to backup my hard drive and replace. The PC then began acting irratically. Sometimes would boot ok another would only boot with the systems disc. Countless number of CHKDSK carried out as well as other recovery attempts. Just manic until booting became impossible.
I googled the message and it appears that this message is informing me that the hard drive is about to fail or would fail soon. Another thread from Samsung recommends that their diagnostic tool ESTOOL.EXE be downloaded an run in the first instance because they are receiving hard drives back under warranty which are ok.
I downloaded and ran the EXTOOL.EXE and the result was that it showed a S.M.A.R.T error with the message Service Code AJ38. Anyone know what this code means?
I am waiting for a response from Samsung regarding a replacement under warranty.

[hellnoire]

RMA/ Return to sender.

It's dead, I'm afraid, and chances are good Samsung's going to come back to you with a 'We'll replace it for you'.

[In-f3st]

Had the same problem...

Before you give up on it try this: replace your SATA cable and your HDD PSU cable.
I got the same error in Win7 and after I did this everything worked fine (and still does ^^ )

[chunky]

@In-f3st
I have changed the SATA cable thinking it might be that but not the PSU cable. I will try that as well.
Thanks for your input.

---------- Post added at 11:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 AM ----------

@In-f3st
I have now changed the power supply to another lead but alas things are still the same. Thanks anyway.

I have formatted the HDD and tried to reinstall the operating system. The installation starts ok but when asked where to install, when I select the C drive I get a message saying` Can not install the operating system on the selected disc because the disc is about to fail'. Please select a different drive. Looks like it is completly busted.

Still waiting for a response from Samsung warrenty Dept. I think I will be on the telephone if nothing happens shortly.

[chunky]

Have now got a replacement HDD and I am now in the process of setting everything back up.