Faulty HDD? (SMART Current pending sectors)

mattoxx · 24 Jul 2015 at 15:27

Hi. Is Current pending sector big problem or is it acceptable? Should be worried and send hdd for RMA?

Boogieman_WD · 24 Jul 2015 at 15:37

Hi mattoxx.

Sorry about the problems you're having with your drive. I'd recommend that you backup any important data you may have on that drive ASAP, just to be on the safe side. After that go ahead and get in touch with our customer support to ask about RMA - Warranty & RMA Services.
When bad sectors start to occur, this will continue until the drive inevitably dies. Unfortunately it can't be predicted when this is going to happen - it could be days, weeks, months or even more. However this always leads to an imminent failure.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD

ED209 · 24 Jul 2015 at 16:06

as boogie said get anything on the drive backed up and rma it.

use the links above to check if it has any warranty left on it.

mattoxx · 24 Jul 2015 at 16:18

Yes it has warranty, I bought it this year. I just have to get another drive for back up.

mattoxx · 24 Jul 2015 at 16:21

I just checked warranty and it expires on 11/28/2016. Can someone advise me where to get cheap hdd for back up?

ED209 · 24 Jul 2015 at 16:21

send it off then and get it replaced.

mattoxx · 24 Jul 2015 at 16:29

Yes I will, just have to get back up drive.

On Holiday · 24 Jul 2015 at 16:47

How much data do you have on the drive? / How much needs backing up

mattoxx · 24 Jul 2015 at 17:09

Something over 1.5TB

KIA · 25 Jul 2015 at 11:07

Zero the drive after you have backed up your data and see if the current pending sectors turn into reallocated sectors.

Boogieman_WD · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:48

Just to add up to @KIA's comment. Here's how to write zeros (a.k.a low level format):
How to low level format or write zeros (full erase) to a WD hard drive or Solid State drive
Even though this is a good advice and after completing the process, the sectors might be shown as reallocated indeed, having in mind the drive is under warranty, I'd still recommend that you contact our customer support and try to RMA it.

darael · 28 Jul 2015 at 10:37

I prefer to use HD Tune Pro to erase drives, either by zero filling or fillnig with random data.

Either way, a drive with pending sectors is never a good sign and I wouldn't trust my data with a drive that even only has 1 sector, pending or reallocated.

mattoxx · 5 Aug 2015 at 08:19

I just got the back up drive...so lot of copying, especially when I can not get full usb 3.0 speed out of my p55-ud3

mattoxx · 5 Aug 2015 at 10:30

Guys I am in process of zero-ing drive and number dropped to 1, probably it is going to drop to 0 after finish. Should I still RMA the drive? Reallocated sector count still 0.

mattoxx · 5 Aug 2015 at 12:15

an update

still to RMA it?

darael · 5 Aug 2015 at 22:19

I suspect the drive will have marked the pending sectors as weak, that's why they haven't been reallocated.

If you have the time, run a zero erase test with verify enabled. If that comes back fine, run a random erase. If they both come back fine and clear, I might be a little happier with the drive but still remain doubtful due to those previous pending reallocations.

mattoxx · 6 Aug 2015 at 07:35

OK, I will do that.

Boogieman_WD · 6 Aug 2015 at 10:43

Well, basically - what @darael said. Even if everything looks fine afterwards, I'd recommend that you keep an eye on the drive and run tests from time to time. Also, always have your most important data backed up. If something else pops-up, just go ahead and follow the link from my previous post and RMA it.

Cheers!

Smok3y · 10 Aug 2015 at 13:02

I've just RMA'd a WD black (it's arrived there this morning) any idea how long it takes to get a replacement shipped out?

ED209 · 10 Aug 2015 at 13:22

I wouldn't take the chance and rma the drive as if its done it already it will most likely do the same again