TEST CONFUSION!

[idontknowhatimdoing]

Greetings HDDGURU Forums,

Let me get straight to the point.

I am using the Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache OEM. I have had it for just about 3.5 years with constant use.

A few days ago, I started getting this warning from Windows 7:



Naturally, the first step I took was to run a chkdsk test. This returned no errors and indicated that the system was clean.

However, windows was still reporting the error. I decided to further investigate using the SeaTools for Windows. It failed the Short DST. However, it passed the Long Generic. I was returned with this log:

Code:

--------------- SeaTools for Windows v1.2.0.8 ---------------
09/08/2013 16:18:48
Model: ST31000528AS
Serial Number: 9VP4H4LP
Firmware Revision: CC38
Short DST - Started 09/08/2013 16:18:48
Short DST - FAIL 09/08/2013 16:19:04
SeaTools Test Code: A9E2A4E2
Identify - Started 09/08/2013 17:57:25
Short DST - Started 09/08/2013 17:57:45
Short DST - FAIL 09/08/2013 17:58:46
SeaTools Test Code: A9E2A4E2
Long Generic - Started 09/08/2013 17:59:08
Long Generic - Pass 09/08/2013 21:02:50
Short DST - Started 10/08/2013 14:09:26
Short DST - FAIL 10/08/2013 14:09:41
SeaTools Test Code: A9E2A4E2
Short DST - Started 12/08/2013 12:35:39
Short DST - FAIL 12/08/2013 12:35:55
SeaTools Test Code: A9E2A4E2
Short DST - Started 12/08/2013 14:06:01
Short DST - FAIL 12/08/2013 14:06:17
SeaTools Test Code: A9E2A4E2


I then proceeded to run SeaTools for DOS and it performed the Long Test with no problems but then failed right at the end when it tried to run the Short Test.

I did a little bit of research and used a tool called HDAT2 for DOS. I ran the Read Test and it discovered no problems. I then ran the Read/Write/Read Test which is designed to discover errors and fix them. Again, no problems.

I then decided to run one final chkdsk which again returned no problems. My computer is running fine and I haven't suffered any data loss. As a precaution, I have ordered an external hard-drive to back up my data on.

Any advice, I'm quite confused...

[michael chiklis]

Have you checked SMART?
You can use HD Tune, HD Sentinel or similar software to check smart status.

[dmarques]

The advice is Backup your data so you don't loose it

[idontknowhatimdoing]

Have you checked SMART?
You can use HD Tune, HD Sentinel or similar software to check smart status.

I downloaded HD Tune and these are the Health Statistics it gave me:

Code:

HD Tune: ST31000528AS Health

ID                               Current  Worst    ThresholdData        Status   
(01) Raw Read Error Rate         119      99       6        211669397   Ok       
(03) Spin Up Time                94       92       0        0           Ok       
(04) Start/Stop Count            95       95       20       5503        Ok       
(05) Reallocated Sector Count    36       36       36       2639        Ok       
(07) Seek Error Rate             84       60       30       318203174   Ok       
(09) Power On Hours Count        86       86       0        12385       Ok       
(0A) Spin Retry Count            100      100      97       0           Ok       
(0C) Power Cycle Count           98       98       20       2748        Ok       
(B7) (unknown attribute)         100      100      0        0           Ok       
(B8) (unknown attribute)         100      100      99       0           Ok       
(BB) (unknown attribute)         100      100      0        0           Ok       
(BC) (unknown attribute)         100      99       0        1441814     Ok       
(BD) (unknown attribute)         100      100      0        0           Ok       
(BE) Airflow Temperature         69       60       45       521601055   Ok       
(C2) Temperature                 31       40       0        31          Ok       
(C3) Hardware ECC Recovered      41       19       0        211669397   Ok       
(C5) Current Pending Sector      100      100      0        0           Ok       
(C6) Offline Uncorrectable       100      100      0        0           Ok       
(C7) Ultra DMA CRC Error Count   200      200      0        0           Ok       
(F0) Head Flying Hours           100      253      0        19711       Ok       
(F1) (unknown attribute)         100      253      0        1811581194  Ok       
(F2) (unknown attribute)         100      253      0        -172280465  Ok       

Power On Time         : 12385
Health Status         : Ok

The Error Test brought back the following:



The Benchmark Test brought back the following:



There seems to be no problems at all according to HDTune. So why could it still be giving me the Windows HD Error and failing the SeaTools Short DST?

[idontknowhatimdoing]

The advice is Backup your data so you don't loose it

Captain Obvious to the rescue...

I was asking for advice because the HD seems fine according to a lot of tests, but for some reason fails the SeaTools Short DST Test...

[Vulcan]

The advice is Backup your data so you don't loose it

Captain Obvious to the rescue...

Sarcasm after receiving good advice is not appreciated. He was giving the very best advice, because your drive does have a problem, otherwise it wouldn't have failed the Short DST. I disagree with the interpretation given by HD Tune of attribute#5, and other SMART utilities would have flagged an issue for that.

I was asking for advice because the HD seems fine according to a lot of tests, but for some reason fails the SeaTools Short DST Test...

The SMART data shows your drive has a problem and is deteriorating. Backup any unsaved data before the deterioration causes more obvious symptoms (hopefully your backup will complete successfully, despite the delay from the time of the original warning). Score one for SMART alerting you (via Windows) before you noticed anything obvious, despite the drive having a problem.

[Edited to add] P.S. The benchmark test graph also clearly shows that the drive has a problem.

As always, tests which pass do not mean that there is no problem. Thanks for the great example of that!

[michael chiklis]

You have 2639 reallocated sectors, you should see red line on attribute 5 in HD Tune, or yellow line.
Your drive is failing, very soon you'll have a very slow drive and folders in which you'll be denied to access (or folders will begin to disappear).
Backup now your data on a good drive!!!!

[idontknowhatimdoing]

Apologies. I did not mean to come off sarcastic, making a back-up is the first step in any situation to do with a HD problem!

So in conclusion, my hard-drive definitely has a serious problem? Forgive my ignorance, my knowledge of these issues and interpreting the results is extremely limited.

My next steps will be to perform a full back-up. And then just see how long I can ride out this hard-drive before I have to order a new one.

Any more tips?

[idontknowhatimdoing]

Also, will formating the hard-drive and re-installing windows solve the problem? Or do I need a new hard drive completely?

[Vulcan]

Also, will formating the hard-drive and re-installing windows solve the problem?

No

Or do I need a new hard drive completely?

Yes

[idontknowhatimdoing]

Ok perfect. Thank you all for the advice, it is much appreciated.

Ah well, time to fork out some £££ for another HDD... Any brand/model recommendations?

[fzabkar]

(05) Reallocated Sector Count 36 36 36 2639 Ok
(BC) (unknown attribute) 100 99 0 1441814 Ok

Health Status : Ok[/code]

There seems to be no problems at all according to HDTune. So why could it still be giving me the Windows HD Error and failing the SeaTools Short DST?

A SMART attribute will be reported as "OK" until such time as its current value falls below the threshold. Notice that the Reallocated Sector Count attribute is sitting right on the threshold (36). Tomorrow this value may fall to 35, in which case either your BIOS or Windows may register a SMART failure.

Think of the normalised values as health scores and the raw values as actual data. In other words, your drive has 2639 bad sectors which have been replaced with spares, and the "health" of this attribute has dropped from 100 to 36. This suggests that each unit of health corresponds to about 41 sectors (= 2639 / 64).

Attribute BC reports the number of Command Timeouts. If you view its raw value in hexadecimal, it appears to be reporting 22 (= 0x16) timeouts.

http://www.google.com/search?q=1441814+in+hex

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T.

[HaQue]

Naturally, the first step I took was to run a chkdsk test.

I decided to further investigate using the SeaTools for Windows.

I then proceeded to run SeaTools for DOS and it performed the Long Test

I did a little bit of research and used a tool called HDAT2 for DOS. I ran the Read Test and...

I then decided to run one final chkdsk ...

My computer is running fine and I haven't suffered any data loss. As a precaution, I have ordered an external hard-drive to back up my data on.

Any advice, I'm quite confused...

[/quote]
My advice is to turn back time, do the LAST step FIRST, backup your data and then pound your drive with these tests.

It is Ironic that you did the exact oppisite to what you called "Obvious". it should be obvious that testing a drive puts more stress on it than actual use. So stressing it out before you have backed it up is not a good idea. I am not sure what the testing was intened to accomplish. As a good result of a passed test would lead to you not believing it, and doing more testing, and a fail would lead you to doing what you already knew you had to do - backup and toss the drive.

As for brand/model recommendations, you will probably get a for/against for any drive. much better to plan your backup so that if a drive fails it doesnt matter. Any drive can fail, for any reason. add electricity to the mix and any drive can fail at any time - even if it is no fault of the drive.

BTW, the positive thing is you did act on the warning, lot of people wouldnt until they were here asking a different question. It is not always obvious that choices are not good until afterwards.

[craig6928]

never run chkdsk test. as your data will go bye bye for good

image the drive right away.