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Introduction |
=== Guide notes === | | * '''Parted Magic is a paid utility. This can be redistributed for free legally per the GPL, but I will not help you locate these copies.''' | * '''The hard drive used in this guide was selected because it had problems. This is common on old,older and heavily used and abused hard drives. Every hard drive will be unique.'''
* The tests in this guide are not 100% accurate. Intermittent issues may not be detected.
== A word on drive repair/remapping ==
* '''Hard drives with SMART errors should NOT be replacedremapped. These drives are often too far gone to repairshould be replaced.'''
* '''While the major drive manufacturers ([https://support.wdc.com/downloads.aspx?p=2|WD], [https://www.hgst.com/support/hard-drive-support/downloads|HGST] and [https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/|Seagate]) offer repair tools that remap the drive, this only worksthese tools do not work on minor problemsdrives with a lot of bad sectors. It'''
* '''Before attempting a sector remap it is also a good idea to do a backup before and after repairing the drivefirst.'''
* The tests and inspection points in this guide are not 100% accurate. Intermittent issues may not be detected. | | If you are unsure if yourtesting a hard drive you use that you suspect is failing or evaluating a used drive for reuse, this guide will show you how to detect common drive failures using SMART. Along with checking this data,test the drive should also be testedand determine if it has any SMART errors. This is especially important with used drives. | | | Many common drive problems include: | | * Heavy use (Likely to cause wear and tear failure) | | * High reallocated sector cont | | * Sectors pending reallocation | | * Hidden drive problems | | | === Why is it important to check this data before using a used hard drive? === | Since most drive failures are sudden with littlehappen without warning, the SMART data can be used to check the health of the drive and evaluate it for remapping or replacementspot these failures before they happen. | | In most cases, hard drive failures happen if the drive is older oron drives that are known to fail (Ex: Modern and 7200.11/7.01 Seagate drives). While these are in the majority, good manufacturers also release drives that do not last as long (Ex: WD Blue/Green). |
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