How to check hdd's SMART data?

[Netx]

One of my hdd's started to occasionally give strange sound, so I want to
check "Reallocated sectors count" and other SMART data. Unfortunately
neither Speedfan nor Everest Home Edition can't show Smart under my Vista
(SP0). What is the way to read SMART having only Vista Home Premium 32
installed?

I wonder if installing nForce drivers from nVidia website or alternatively
SP1 RC will help? However I am afraid that nforce drivers from nVidia
website might destroy my system.
Allternatively maybe there is a bootable fdd/cd image on Internet to read
smart ?

Mark

[non flammable]

hello

first of all you must know that Vista has the power down of hard disks
automatically,
this means that it stops the disk from spinning after X minutes (usually 20
I think)
when you need data from the disk it starts spinning again and makes a bit of
noise and lag..

if this is NOT the case, then you should backup the data at once, and see if
you have warranty left
any NOISE coming from a hard disk means that it will fail sooner or later..
and you should not use it.

Most HDs have 3 years guarantee and some have 5...

so check it out...


Yes I have seen programs that see the smart data, but if you have noise you
don't need any other program to tell you that the drive is not to be trusted
any more

[Pete138]

Go to: Everest -> Storage -> SMART
ps. I don't know if everest home shows it, but everest ultimate does.
You can also download Disk Checkup which is free from: http://www.passmark.com/products/diskcheckup.htm

[bjkilby]

First post, so bear with me....

Try Western Digital's free windows diagnostic software, it will allow you to
see all of the hd smart information, and it works in Vista w/o problems.

[Netx]

Thanks for all response. Unfortunately I found out that all smart-displaying
software won't work under Vista with my nForce 570 Sli chipset. This is due
to drivers. However under Windows Xp such software worked OK showing smart.
(however currently I have only licence for Vista Premium box).

Now the problem is that I can't tell which of 2 installed disks makes
trouble to return it on warranty. It gives sort of "metal to metal friction"
noise for *only* several seconds a day. It started when I was making full
backup to usb device, two days ago, and heads were moving constantly for
about two hours.

Also I suppose that when I return it on warranty (to the shop), the strange
sound may not be emited. I decided to carry on with both HDDs until one will
die definitely. I make incremental backup every day.

Mark

[DarkSentinel]

The drivers provided to MS are from nVidia. Unfortunately they have not
fixed that particular issue under Vista. Everest Ultimate on my fiancé's XP
machine shows the SMART info. Doesn't on mine even though everything is
enabled. But we have the same chipset. This is an ongoing thread in nVidia's
forum as well.