Harddisk vulnerable to vibrations?/Mackie SDR problems

Hi

Not long ago I bought a used Mackie SDR 24ch harddisk recorder. When I
record concerts it sometimes comes up with disk/performance errors.
It uses standard ATA drives (the ones used in desktop computers until
the new SATA drives came along)

I suspect that the vibrations from loud music disturbs the harddisk. But
I am not sure yet.

If anyone here recognizes the problem or have ideas as to what might
cause the errors I would very much appreciate any input.

____

I apologize for the post being so long, but I want to explain in as much
detail as possible, so that others might see alternative explanations.

Here is the full story:

When I got my SDR I tested and used it at home and it worked flawlessly
with several different Maxtor 7200 rpm harddisk drives (120gb, 160gb,
320gb). Also with 24 tracks 24/96 although it is not stated in the
manual that this is possible.

But the first time I took it out to record an evening with 3 concerts,
it recorded the first two, but in the third it stopped saying disk error
something (i dont remember exactly).

The recorder was placed on stage about 1½ meter from the bass amp, on a
wooden box.

The first concert was a weird hip hop/rap band playing through a guitar
amp and the PA. (Rec on tracks 1, 2, 3, 17)
The next was a guitarist playing through the bass amp and singing
through the PA (Rec on tracks 1, 17)
The third concert a noise trio with me playing very loud and distorted
bass through the bass amp. (Rec on tracks 1, 4, 17)

I took it home and tested it and nothing was wrong, except for the
recording of the third concert.

I thought the harddisk might be unstable so the next time I brought two
harddisks, not the one from the first evening.

It recorded as it should. Two concerts. No problems. One laptop concert
through the PA (4x500W) (5 tracks at a time) and one oscillator/filter
noise concert also through the PA (5 tracks at a time)
Then the next day at the same location it recorded three concerts
without errors. (one synthesizer-concert (tracks 1,2,17,18,19), one
acoustic (tracks 1,2,8,9,10,11,12) and one considerably loud
dubstep/hip hop (tracks 1,2,8,17,18))


Then the day after, at the same location I wanted to record yet another
concert: 12 people doing only feedback (9 guitars and 3 basses) (tracks
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,13,14,15,16)

Both disks were empty and frelshly formatted.

After 20 minutes it started reporting errors.
Some disk error and some performance error and some number that I didnt
note, unfortunately.

I tried several things:
To stop, shut down and restart, make new project. Still after a while it
came up with an error massage.
I tried to stop, shut down and restart and mount disk, make new project,
but still after a while, errors.
Then I changed the harddisk, but again after a while, errors.
After a few tries I limited the number of armed tracks to 12, but no change.

I tried these things a lot of times (the concert lasted 2hrs and 15 minutes)

When I took it home, it again worked fine. Both harddisks recorded up to
24 tracks 24/96 with no errors. For more than one hour

The last three evenings the recorder was not moved. It was placed on the
lid of a rack case (which might have picked up vibrations) and plugged
into the same power outlet.

So I guess some vibrations from the bass is disturbing the harddisk.
Today I constructed a thing with aluminum tubes and rubber-tubes for
bicycle-wheels to hang it from.

If this does not work, what will?

Could it be something else? Could the machine have some error?

I bought it to be able to record concerts, but if it only works at home,
it isn't of much use...
I am very disappointed and especially the feedback concert was important
to document.
If I cannot rely on it, then it is nearly useless...

Thing is, even if it works the next couple of times with the
rubber-suspension-thing I built, how can I know if it works the next time?

What should I do? Re-sell it to someone using it a studio? But what
should I buy instead?

Best regards

Sune TB Nielsen