SMART Failure

[p2p-sharing-rules]

My primary master HDD is giving me this error.

SMART Failure Predicted on Primary Master: Maxtor 6E040L0.
Warning: Imediately back-up your data and replace your hard disk drive.
A failure may be iminent.

I googled the problem an the answers I've found was that my HDD is gonna die soon and that S.M.A.R.T. is warning me to back up my data before the HDD dies. I've read that it dies within 24 , but I've also read that it could last up to 2 years before it dies.

I used PowerMax 4.22 to check my HDD in DOS mode and I got these errors.

Advanced Test Result: FAILED
Diagnostic Code: caa4e170

Burn Test Result: FAILED
Diagnostic Code: caa4e160


I haven't tried to reformat with PowerMax.The quick scan test didn't seem to work right , it just kept scanning without any results & it passed Installation Confirmation test.

I backed up all my data that I want to save on to my back up HDD.

What would be the best HDD brand to buy & what kind of specification should I be looking for to replace it?

[p2p-sharing-rules]

I downloaded DTemp and when I go to DTemp: information about IDE/ATAPI devices options click driver features. it says SMART supported , enabled , but it says device status : FAILURE!

If I go Show SMART attributes options it says Reallocated sector count is value 1 , Threshold 63 & RAW is 0000000004FCh is my HDD problem.

Does anyone knows anything about why it says device status failure for SMART? I have it enabled in my BIOS.

What does value 1 , Threshold 63 & RAW 0000000004FCh mean?

[nesman]

I was in a similar situation. It wasn't exactally the same error, but it was an OS failure based on hdd trouble.

I've heard that SpinRite is good stuff. It works harder at recovering areas of your drive than normal tools. Too bad the software is so expensive.

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Thanks Nesman , but I can't afford to buy SpinRite right now , I'll just wait until the end of this month & buy a new HDD.I might buy 80 or 120 gb HHD.

[p2p-sharing-rules]

SpinRite gave me this error warning.

Drive number:0 Cable:Primary Drive:Master

This drive SMART system is reporting that this drive is in IMINENT DANGER of complete failure! You should only use SpinRite in its data recovery mode ( not deep testing and drive exercising) , and probably only after first copying any crucial data this drive may contain with a drive in this shape , there is a danger that any extensive data recovery work could push it over the edge , causing it to die completely , please copy any vital data from this drive BEFORE proceeding.

[Layzie Bone]

This what I foudn while playing around with some diagnostic software. Hard Disk Dives make thousands of errors all the time, there's just a certian amount of errors it is allowed to make before SMART says that your drive is about go bad. A brand new drive can go bad in 2 weeks or 10 years, or maybe never.

I don't know if you're still using the drive, as long as it is not the drive you have your OS on, I would keep stuff backed up and use it until you get errors like Delayed Write Error or something.

As far as brands of Hard Drives, you can get a good bang for your buck with Maxtor, Seagate, Western Digital I think is pretty good. I currently have 3 Seagte Drives, One is over 2 years old and it is filled with 4000 mp3s and 20 movies and all sorts of stuff, I have not had any problems. They're 80 GB, and the place I bought 2 of the 3 went for $75 (usd).

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Thanks again Nesman , I formatted my old 40 gig HDD and created 2 partitions on it , 1 to reinstall my OS and 1 to back up my data that I couldn't save on to DVD-R's cos I don't have anymore DVD-R's until I bought some more. Both of my HDD's are Maxtor.I can only use the 1 HDD cos the jumper pins in the back are broken so I can't make it a master HDD so I can hook up the f*^ked up HDD as a secondary slave.

I'll shop around and see what's the best bang for my buck deal I can get.
What about IDE , SATA drives ect.. and other specs should I be looking out for when I shop around.I might also buy a OEM version of XP too if I have enough money when I buy a HDD. I've heard that's only way you can buy a OEM version of XP from retail stores is if you buy hardware for you PC then they can sell you a OEM XP.It better then paying M$ $ 300 for a XP Home.

[nesman]

I might also buy a OEM version of XP too if I have enough money when I buy a HDD.

http://www.kubuntu.org/


I got my little lady to install this version of Linux. It's pretty easy to work with (unless you want to print or use wifi) and the install is a snap.

Even if you don't want to install, you should bit torrent the iso because it doubles as a live cd. It lets you preview the OS without writing to your disk. On top of that, it's got a nice little mem-test built in to the live cd.

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Thanks again Nesman I'm not sure if I want to try a Linux OS or not , I was thinking about it before you brought it up.
But my ISP said I need a Windows OS with IE 6 SP1 to use them when I signed up with them & what about my graphics card drivers , sound card drivers ect.. that only work on M$ OS?
I won't be buying a new HHD this month I f%^ked up and spent too much money on crap I shouldn't be buying.