If you are reallly worry about hard drive, why not consider RAID configuration?
motherboard IDE
Primary - master : DVD
- slave : IBM 60GB
Secondary - master : CD-rw
- slave : none
Adaptec 1200A controller
Primary - master : IBM 80 GB (RAID 1) - audio & manga
- slave : IBM 80 GB (RAID 1)
Secondary - master : WD 175 GB (RAID 1) - video
- slave : WD 175 GB (RAID 1)
Adaotec 39320D Ultra320
ID 0 : Segate Ultra320 10k 36GB - OS/programs
ID 1 : Segate Ultra160 7.2k 20GB - ED temp share files
In addition, I backup everything that from internet on CD-R....
I've use IBM for a while (2+ years), and have no problem at all. If you are concern about it, use IBM in RAID configuration. Since IBM drive is much cheapter than other brand, there is not much difference between a really good & expensive hard drive, and a cheap RAID 1 system. ^_^
If my system fails, I really don't know what else I can do.... (go for RAID 5, or 10?? ~_~)
RAID 1 IS WONDERFUL!! ^_^
