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    Hard drive health -- How do I assess this?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Czaralekzander, Mar 23, 2009.

  1. Czaralekzander

    Czaralekzander Notebook Consultant

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    Right now I have a Seagate 160GB 7200 rpm in my notebook. Although I have not yet noticed any problems, PartitionMagic has detected this problem:
    The length of the partition in the partition table is incorrect.

    Once the program starts, it labels my main drive ‘BAD’ with 152,625.3 MB.

    My questions are:
    1) What does this mean?
    2) How can I verify this?
    3) Should I get a new drive or try and fix this one?
     
    Czaralekzander, Mar 23, 2009
    #1
  2. goofball

    goofball Notebook Deity

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    I've had that problem before with PM. No issues when using Acronis though. I would put it at how PM is reading the info. I've never had an issue with the drive(s) that I have had the error in PM come up.
     
    goofball, Mar 23, 2009
    #2
  3. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Search for CrystalDiskinfo that was a free tool...
    It'll give you the SMART statistics - only problem is, apart from a few obvious aspects, there is no definitve way of telling when a dríve will fail.

    A statistically healthier drive can fail before a drive that was oringinally worse...
     
    DetlevCM, Mar 24, 2009
    #3
  4. jeremysdad

    jeremysdad Notebook Evangelist

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    jeremysdad, Mar 24, 2009
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  5. Czaralekzander

    Czaralekzander Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the replies. CrystalDisk seems to be outputting some conflicting stats. If I am reading this correctly, my drive is significantly over the threshold in every category (current observation >> threshold.) However, at the top, the drive health is 'good'. Moreover, the speed (7200 rpm) of the drive is not detected on my main drive in addition to other statistics being greyed out. Is this fall within the range of expected output or is something strange here?
     
    Czaralekzander, Mar 24, 2009
    #5
  6. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I'm not entirely sure how to read it...

    Try the help files.

    (PS: I have 2 near identical columns...)
     
    DetlevCM, Mar 24, 2009
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  7. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    speedfan has an online hdd smart data analyser , if it can detect your hdd.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Mar 24, 2009
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  8. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    I don't feel like explaining, but you'll get the general idea by reading the SMART documentation.

    Or try and get hold of a copy of Everest Ultimate and I think that will let you know if a particular SMART reading is good or bad.
     
    Andy, Mar 24, 2009
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  9. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    HDtune is a good benchmark and HDD health checking utility as well.
     
    Gophn, Mar 24, 2009
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  10. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

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    agreed. another vote for HDtune!
     
    Primes, Mar 25, 2009
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  11. Czaralekzander

    Czaralekzander Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for all the responses; I have ordered and installed a new drive.
     
    Czaralekzander, Mar 25, 2009
    #11