Hi,
I'm only sort of a newb. And, yes, I am paranoid.

Both HDDWIPE and LLF install just fine, but, immediately when I try to run them, "Error accessing device: Incorrect function", then "Cannot change Visible in OnShow or OnHide". The window comes up, but no devices, no selections, just gray window with tabs. I know there should be selections. I realize this is not due to any of the drives.

W2K Pro SP4, 1GB RAM, 1.3Ghz cpu. System has always been rock solid, even though it is only Asus P3B-F. Boot drive and WD2500 run off of flashed UltraTX2 Promise/WD card, each drive on it's own ribbon, only lonely. I have WD2500 set at cable select now.

I bought some refurb WD2500's from woot.com. A lot of people had problems with them, so I want to run them through extensive testing. They format OK, seem to work just fine, but WD's Lifeguard show them not passing SMART.

It was suggested on the woot forum by someone that they need to be exercised and that SMART can possibly be corrected by this. So, LLF and HDDWIPE seem great. But, they just don't work for me.

1. Suggestions to get HDDWIPE and LLF working?
2. Should I use Cable Select or Master only? I've always used Master only on all drives before.
3. Can S.M.A.R.T. actually be corrected/reset?
4. Comments about these drives, other than the fact that I shouldn't put anything on them I can't afford to lose. Nothing on them now that can't immediately go bye-bye.

Thanks for reading and any suggestions you can give.

Use for diagnostics - MHDD32
If HDD supports SATA2, disconnect the given function using the crosspiece
Be convinced that your OS can work with winchesters of the big volume.

I apologize for bad English

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С уважением, Алесандр Розпаднюк
Фирма "СТЕК" г. ТОМСК

Alier,

Thank you for your kind reply. Your English is not bad at all. Much better than I speak your native language.

I downloaded and have been experimenting with MHDD (couldn't find MHDD32), and it is a very fine program. Very fun to experiment with.

I have followed FAQ10:
Q10: How can I fix delays on my HDD (red and brown blocks)?
A: Use erase, then scan+erase waits, then scan+remap.

It seems to run just fine, but, still after it all, shows 3 sectors/blocks? under WARNING (on the right hand side), and shows the number of each of these. Scan+remap does not appear to make them go away. I believe I read somewhere that it is possible to mark these individually as bad, so then remap should have them disregarded and not to be used? Does that sound correct?

Alier thank you again for your help,
Randy

Slow areas of a disk not always are bad sectors. If blocks of green color especially are afraid there is nothing. WD use algorithm assign for hiding bad sectors, it is possible MHDD uses other algorithm (remap). In any case it is better to begin with algorithm " scan+erase waits ".
It is possible to make full check of a disk by means of PartitionMagic or chkdsk (it concerns ntfs, for fat it is better scandisk), thus in adjustments there should be a compulsory check of a surface. But the given variant borrows a lot of time.
Except for that I advise to pay attention to an arrangement of slow areas if at repeated scanning they appear in other places and their number varies, it is a random error. In this case it is necessary to look at conditions of operation of the device, such as good cooling and the qualitative power supply.

_________________
С уважением, Алесандр Розпаднюк
Фирма "СТЕК" г. ТОМСК

Alier, thank you for your kind help.

Your suggestions have been very helpful, and have steered me in the correct direction to learn much more about hard drives than I expected.

MHDD is a very nice program, and with each use, I am encouraged to dig deeper on the net for more information.

I believe you are correct that the blocks are nothing to worry about, but I will try to dig up my Partition Magic boot disks and check further.

These drives are the hottest running ATA drives I have ever used, but only one shows a S.M.A.R.T. raw value above good temperature threshold, and that is only 3 degrees.

Thank you,
randypj