Hard Drive problem (S.M.A.R.T Status BAD, Backup and Replace)

[hypnoticstate]

Hi. I started up my pc yesterday and got a bios message saying "Pri Master Hard disk: S.M.A.R.T Status BAD, Backup and Replace". I then got the same warning from windows several times over the day telling me that a fault was detected and my hard drive is close to failing and that i should immediately backup and replace the drive. I used CrystalDiskInfo to analyze the drive and it showed no error but windows kept prompting me even after that point to backup immediately.

I did backup my information and today I've seen no warnings about imminent failure and the drive in questioned hasn't yet died.

I'm not sure how to proceed at this point. Though the drive still technically works at this moment in time i've had several warnings about imminent failure from two seperate sources so is this something you would replace? I'm aware that you charge £10 for returns that aren't malfunctioning and obviously my drive is still technically working but could die at any moment so i wanted to make sure this wouldn't be an issue if i returned it.

[Mark@SCAN]

Hi,

We would need to find a fault with the drive in order for us to replace it.

I would first suggest downloading the manufacture diagnostics for your particular make/model of drive and first running the short test, if this passes run the long test.

Regards

[hypnoticstate]

Ok, i downloaded the DOS version of the drive tester from Seagate (who now do all support for Samsung drives).

First i did a quick test which showed no problems. To be safe, i then did a long test. After 5 hours of that it said that it passed, however a "long test" is automatically preceeded by a quick test which did find problems.


So, naturally confused, i did another quick scan after the long one. This didn't find a fault but wanting to be cautious after the previous failure warning i immediately did ANOTHER quick scan which then DID find bad sectors and prompted me to backup and replace.


Should i now set up a return request with Scan? I bought the drive 6 months ago.

[Mark@SCAN]

Hi,

I would suggest obtaining an RMA number directly from Seagate via the following link:

http://support.seagate.com/customer/...ion.jsp?form=1

Regards