Understanding S.M.A.R.T. Parameters and Signs of Hard Disk Failure

S.M.A.R.T. Parameters are crucial for detecting early signs of hard disk failure. Learn how to interpret these parameters and safeguard your data from potential disasters. Don’t wait until it’s too late – act now to protect your valuable information!

Understanding S.M.A.R.T. Parameters and Signs of Hard Disk Failure

The Tools

Before you begin, you’ll need a tool to read the many S.M.A.R.T. parameters available in your hard drive. There are many free tools (as CrystalDiskInfo) that can display and decode the many available S.M.A.R.T. parameters.

Software Name Main Features Platform Advantages Disadvantages
CrystalDiskInfo
  • Displays all SMART parameters.
  • Monitors disk temperature.
  • Alerts about disk status.
 Windows
  • Simple interface.
  • Free of charge.
  • Supports most disk types.
  • Not available for other OS platforms.
  • No in-depth disk analysis.
HDDScan
  • Reads SMART parameters.
  • Performs surface testing.
  • Supports USB and RAID drives.
 Windows
  • Free of charge.
  • Comprehensive disk testing.
  • Not intuitive for beginners.
  • Limited documentation.
Hard Disk Sentinel
  • Detailed disk health analysis.
  • Reads SMART parameters.
  • Provides failure alerts.
 Windows, Linux
  • Supports various drive types.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Comprehensive diagnostics.
  • Paid version required for advanced features.
smartmontools
  • Works with SMART parameters via the command line.
  • Supports SSD and HDD testing.
  • Compatible with servers.
 Windows, Linux, macOS
  • Free of charge.
  • Supports multiple operating systems.
  • Flexible for professionals.
  • Challenging for beginners.
  • No graphical user interface.
AIDA64
  • Reads SMART parameters.
  • Monitors hardware status.
  • Performs performance testing.
 Windows
  • Extensive functionality.
  • Suitable for professionals.
  • Paid software.
  • Overwhelming for casual users.
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Hard Drive S.M.A.R.T. Parameters

With so many different parameters available, which ones give a warning sign? This is not an easy question to answer, as different manufacturers support different subsets of reporting variables. In addition, raw values you see in the rightmost column are vendor-specific, meaning nothing before they are decoded. However, there are some parameters that are supported by most manufacturers (for example AData, PQI, Transcend).

Crystal Info: HDD S.M.A.R.T.

Most S.M.A.R.T. tools calculate drive’s health by analyzing the following variables: Reallocated Sectors Count, Current Pending Sectors Count, and Uncorrectable Sector Count. Manufacturer supplied disk analysis tools can use other (vendor-specific) parameters as well to perform a more in-depth analysis of the drive’s health.

  • Reallocated Sectors Count. This parameter gives a good hint on the overall health of the drive. It represents the number of sectors that were found bad and were remapped to a special zone (reserved area) of the hard disk. Normally, new hard drives should have zero reallocated sectors. With use, you may get an occasional instance or two; this usually does not represent a serious problem. What does represent a problem is a situation where the number of reallocated sectors is steadily increasing with time. This means the disk is slowly failing; get a replacement ASAP before you start getting uncorrectable read errors (see below).

  • Current Pending Sector Count. The meaning of this value is highly dependent on disk manufacturers. A rise in Current Pending Sector Count may mean there are unstable (but not necessarily outright bad) sectors on the drive. If the count of pending sectors increases with time, it’s time to replace the disk.

  • Uncorrectable Sector Count. When a sector is so bad it can’t be read for remapping, the Uncorrectable Sector Count variable increases. The variable represents the count of uncorrectable errors when reading/writing a sector from the disk surface. If the value of this attribute increases, this indicates mechanical problems or defects of the disk surface. A replacement disk should be used as soon as possible.

  • Read Error Rate. This parameter stores data about the rate of hardware read errors that occurred when reading data from the disk. The raw value is manufacturer dependent, so it’s difficult to interpret correctly. This parameter may not mean much to generic S.M.A.R.T. analysis tools, but is often used by disk diagnostic tools supplied by hard drive manufacturers.

  • Write Error Rate. Indicates errors while recording data into disk. Vendor-specific value, mostly used by manufacturer supplied HDD diagnostic tools.

  • Reallocation Event Count. The value stores the count of sector reallocation operations. Both successful and unsuccessful attempts are counted. This value supplements the reading of Reallocated Sectors Count, but is sometimes omitted (not recorded) by some models/manufacturers. A rise in Reallocation Event Count means the hard drive is deteriorating.

  • Spin Retry Count. This value stores the number of retries during disk spin-up. A growing value may be a sign of an upcoming mechanical failure.

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Oleg Afonin

Author: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Vladimir Artiukh

Editor: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

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Questions and answers

  • What are SMART parameters, and how do they help predict hard disk failures?

    SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) parameters are self-diagnostic measurements of a hard disk's health. They measure things such as temperature, spin-up time, read/write errors, and more. By analyzing these parameters, a system can detect impending hard disk failure before it occurs, allowing for proactive maintenance and repair. This can help prevent data loss and downtime caused by hard disk failure.

  • What is the full form of SMART, and when was it introduced?

    SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It was introduced in 1981 by George Doran in an article titled "There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management Goals and Objectives".

  • What are some of the most important SMART attributes to look out for when predicting hard disk failures?
    1. Spin Up Time: The time it takes for the hard disk to spin up and become ready for data access.
    2. Seek Time: The time it takes for the hard disk to move the read/write head to the correct track.
    3. Read/Write Error Rate: The rate at which errors occur when reading or writing data to the hard disk.
    4. Reallocated Sectors Count: The number of sectors on the hard disk that have been reallocated due to read/write errors.
    5. Temperature: The temperature of the hard disk, as this can cause the disk to overheat and fail.
    6. Power On Hours: The total number of hours the hard disk has been powered on.
    7. Calibration Retry Count: The number of times the hard disk has had to recalibrate due to read/write errors.
  • Can SMART parameters alone provide a definitive indication of an impending hard disk failure?

    No, SMART parameters alone cannot provide a definitive indication of an impending hard disk failure. While SMART parameters can provide some insight into the health of a hard drive, there are many other factors that can contribute to an impending hard disk failure, such as physical damage, temperature, and power supply issues. Therefore, it is important to take into consideration all possible factors when attempting to diagnose a potential hard disk failure.

  • How often should one check the SMART parameters of a hard disk, and what tools can be used for this purpose?

    It is recommended to check the SMART parameters of a hard disk at least once a month. There are several tools available for this purpose, such as HD Tune, CrystalDiskInfo, and GSmartControl.

Comments (13)

  • Kina
    Kina 26.01.2021 09:32 #
    TIM did not appear at steady state sine tone measurements, helping to hide it from design engineers prior to 1970.
    Reply
  • te6
    te6 25.06.2018 17:09 #
    Hi, 8 errors has been reallocated on my 2TB Seagate drive,but 1 is uncorrectable.Should i replace disk asap ? Or can stay..? Raid6
    Reply
  • Beresford Drinkwater
    Beresford Drinkwater 29.12.2012 03:12 #
    Can hard disk failures be prevented entirely, or is it inevitable that all hard disks will fail eventually?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.12.2012 03:39 #
      No, hard disk failures cannot be prevented entirely. All hard disks will eventually fail due to wear and tear, age, or other factors. It is important to regularly back up your data and use proper storage techniques to ensure that your data is safe.
      Reply
  • Lindsay Medford
    Lindsay Medford 28.12.2012 23:27 #
    What should one do if they suspect that their hard disk is failing?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 28.12.2012 23:43 #
      If you suspect your hard disk is failing, the best thing to do is to back up any important data as soon as possible. This will ensure that you don't lose any valuable data if the hard disk does fail. You should also run disk diagnostics to test the health of the disk. If the disk fails the diagnostics, it's best to replace it as soon as possible.
      Reply
  • Sean Kyte
    Sean Kyte 28.12.2012 21:32 #
    What are some other early warning signs of a hard disk failure besides SMART parameters?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 28.12.2012 21:55 #
      1. Unusual noises such as grinding, clicking, or buzzing.
      2. Frequent and unexpected system crashes.
      3. Slow performance or data access.
      4. Unexpected error messages or system freezes.
      5. Inability to boot the computer or access certain files.
      6. Corrupted or lost files.
      7. Bad sectors on the hard drive.
      Reply
  • Jermaine Woodruff
    Jermaine Woodruff 28.12.2012 17:14 #
    Can a hard disk still fail even if its SMART parameters do not indicate any issues?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 28.12.2012 17:48 #
      Yes, a hard disk can still fail even if its SMART parameters do not indicate any issues. SMART parameters are only indicators of potential problems, and they may not always detect all issues. Additionally, the failure of a hard disk can be caused by other factors such as physical damage, power surges, or incorrect usage.
      Reply
  • Amadeus Madgwick
    Amadeus Madgwick 28.12.2012 13:19 #
    Are there any common misconceptions regarding SMART parameters and hard disk failures?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 28.12.2012 13:51 #
      Yes, there are several common misconceptions regarding SMART parameters and hard disk failures. One is that SMART parameters can accurately predict when a hard drive will fail. While SMART parameters can provide some indications of a potential hard drive failure, they cannot accurately predict when a drive will fail. Another misconception is that SMART parameters are the only way to detect hard drive failures. While SMART parameters can be helpful in detecting hard drive failures, there are other methods, such as running diagnostic tests or monitoring system performance, that can also be used to detect hard drive failures. Finally, some people believe that SMART parameters can be used to fix hard drive failures. While SMART parameters can provide useful information about a potential hard drive failure, they cannot be used to fix the problem.
      Reply
  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 27.04.2018 11:28 #
    Read about SMART parameters and early signs of a failing hard disk. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
    Reply
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