Samsung Spinpoint F1 errors

You'll probably get different opinions on this topic. Though there are papers that analyze disk failures and SMART data, I haven't seen anyone publish good strategies on when to replace a drive (that are grounded in the failure statistics).

I would keep an eye on this disk, but not replace it until the numbers start to increase. I would also make sure I had a spare on hand, so I could immediately replace it when the numbers start to rise.

BTW, in my experience, writing to a marginal/failing drive is worse than reading. So volume scans may not give you much guidance. File Scrubbing might be more useful (though of course it will stress all the drives...).

I would also try to maintain a complete and current backup - just in case.

PapaBear wrote:
I would also try to maintain a complete and current backup - just in case.

Always good advice, though I think KillerBob already has that covered (viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61648&p=345836#p345829)

Hi,

If I wanted to check the HD specifically, it being a Samsung F1 (HD103UJ), what Disk testing utility should I use? I can't locate a specific one for Samsung HDs, and I don't of any good generic ones for OSX. And, should I for instance use Tech Tool, is it safe to take out the specific HD from the Pro, test it, and reinsert? I.e. do I stand the chance of f...... something up on the HD?

Bo

KillerBob wrote:
Hi, If I wanted to check the HD specifically, it being a Samsung F1 (HD103UJ), what Disk testing utility should I use? I can't locate a specific one for Samsung HDs, and I don't of any good generic ones for OSX. And, should I for instance use Tech Tool, is it safe to take out the specific HD from the Pro, test it, and reinsert? I.e. do I stand the chance of f...... something up on the HD? Bo

No clue about OSX diags. As long as the diag is non-destructive it should be safe. You do need to shut down the pro before you remove the disk, and leave it off until the testing is complete.

And only power back up after the disk has been re-inserted. Never insert a disk with data on it into a ReadyNAS while it is on, it will be wiped and then resynced.

The best tool for HDD diagnosis is and always has been SpinRite 6 from GRC. However, the program requires a bootdisk, and it's showing it's age. It was never designed to work with modern RAID controllers in PC's (whether using the RAID features or not) and several PC's I've attempted to use it on have caused it to crash after scanning for a short period. Probable BIOS incompatibility. HDDScan is a good tool for identifying potential problems and weak sectors on a HDD, and is free. A good substitute if you can't run a DOS-based tool.

http://hddscan.com/

And I would use it, if I had a Windows PC. I'm a Mac head, and most of these will not work in virtual enviroments:(

How the h... can the numbers suddenly improve? Today I checked the SMART on the HD, and some of the error number had decreased to 1 (from 3):

Raw Read Error Rate - 3 --> 1
Read Sector Error Rate - 3 --> 1

Bo

I may be living life dangerously, but I can't easily get my hands on another Samsung Spinpoint F1, and want to keep the 6 discs the same brand/model.

Today, after a disk scrubbing this morning, the error count have changed again:

Raw Read Error Rate - 3 --> 1 --> 8
Read Sector Error Rate - 3 --> 1 --> 8
Reported Uncorrect 0 --> 3 --> 10

As I can't really check these hard-drives in my Mac, and I do have an absolutely solid backup, I think I will just let happen what happens, i.e. leave it until it crashes. If/when it does so, I assume I will get a warning, and then have the choice to insert a new hard-drive?

/Bo