S.M.A.R.T. Status

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3 Apr 2007
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855
Hi all,

My computer just crashed about half an hour ago, and on rebooting, BIOS gave me an error about the SMART status, saying it was BAD, and the drive should be backed up and replaced.

I am currently in the process of backing important bits and bobs up, but would like to know roughly how long it should last?

Cheers,
gamer
 
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As far as I am aware it is variable, sorry that isn't much help but essentially it is just telling you that it thinks the drive is going to fail because it isn't performing entirely within specification. It might last weeks/months or it might be hours but it is certainly a good idea to backup as soon as you can. :)
 
a dodgy hard drive might last years, but equally might be dead when you get the message ;)

As semi-pro waster says about the only thing you do know is that you want to back it up as fast as possible ;)

Talking of dead/dying drives, I've got to do my regular backup tonight (it should have been done sunday).
 
Last time my HDD showed the SMART error it already exhibited symptoms of a dying hard drive. As said back up asap and stop using the drive. Also install speedfan and use its online SMART analysis tool to see exactly what's wrong with it.
 
Yes, I have done this and speedfan says it is an error with the 'spin retry count.' Unfortunately I cannot just stop using the hard drive, however I will backup as much as possible, and purchase a new hard drive to use while the other is being returned under warranty.
 
The drive may be ok, even if something abnormal may have set one of the flags that raises a s.m.a.r.t. error. If you have a diagnostics bootable cd (a legal alternative to something like hirens) with a DOS S.M.A.R.T. analyser program, you could check the various ranges to see exactly what the drive says.

Can't stress enough though, clone your drive or back up your data first, and good luck!
 
When I 1st put the HDD in this comp which is over a year ago now since this comp I'm on is over a year old, I got the same message, I always get the same message... In fact I'm still using it & this HDD I've been using 3 years if not more... Though that's not to say yours will last, perhaps I'm just super lucky, I don't know.
 
Yes, I have done this and speedfan says it is an error with the 'spin retry count.' Unfortunately I cannot just stop using the hard drive, however I will backup as much as possible, and purchase a new hard drive to use while the other is being returned under warranty.

I think that means it's taking longer than it should to get the drive up to speed, which could mean it's just a little slow, or the motor/bearings on the drive are failing.

I think it's the same message one of my drives was giving, after it had started to click repeatedly and not do anything else :)
 
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