SeaTools

[sriesch]

Is there any reason that SeaTools for Windows (v1.1.0.18) would incorrectly report a Drive Status of SMART-FAIL? 

The reason I ask is that I had DiscWizard for Windows (possibly an older version) sitting around and ran that on a suspect drive, and it reported the SMART status as being ok.  I downloaded SeaTools just to see if it might give me any additional clues about my drive problem and when I ran the basic SMART test, it gave me a Drive Status of SMART-FAIL for the same drive, however when I ran it on a different drive and then on a third drive on a second computer, it turns out it just always says that.  (I'm assuming I don't have an immenent failure of three drives across two computers, although of course that's possible.)  I'm assuming I'm misunderstanding or misusing the utility or it's results somehow.

[sriesch]

I just tried using SeaTools for DOS instead of for Windows, and that version tells me that the SMART status has not been tripped.  So it seems that SeaTools for Windows is just wrong, or SMART-FAIL means something else like the attempt to determine whether the smart status has failed, has failed.

[Sanek]

I have exactly the same problem with both of my Seagate hard drives being displayed as SMART-FAILED in Seatools, although all other tests Pass just fine. One hard disk is a new ST31000340AS 1TB SATA drive and the other is a ~3yr old ST3200826AS  200GB drive.

Seatools for DOS says that SMART has not been tripped.

Now, the question is - do Seatools for Windows report an incorrect value as a conflict with some hardware/software on my system or what do Seatools for DOS report.

Would be nice to get an answer to this - otherwise I'll have to RMA both drives which is time consuming (to say the least).

Thanks in advance!

[dbpvr]

I have the same problem on both my 500 gig drives both less than 6 months old.

--------------- SeaTools for Windows v1.1.0.19 ---------------
17/09/2008 11:44:39 PM
Model: ST3500630AS
Serial Number: 9QG45ZVC
Firmware Revision: 3.AAK
SMART - FAIL 17/09/2008 11:44:39 PM
Short DST - Started 17/09/2008 11:44:47 PM
Short DST - Pass 17/09/2008 11:49:23 PM

--------------- SeaTools for Windows v1.1.0.19 ---------------
17/09/2008 11:44:39 PM
Model: ST3500630AS
Serial Number: 9QG45ZVC
Firmware Revision: 3.AAK
SMART - FAIL 17/09/2008 11:44:39 PM
Short DST - Started 17/09/2008 11:44:47 PM
Short DST - Pass 17/09/2008 11:49:23 PM

(both tests above were started at the same time normally they took <90 sec)

 I'm using a xfx nVidia 680i LT MB and windows XP pro sp3

Smart fails but passes with every other smart test (speedfan,Everest,ActiveSMART,etc)

Seatools for windows fails the smart test (bug maybe) I'm going to try dos version asap

I feel this is a problem with seatools and the NVidia SW IDE driver

Now if it was only one drive I'd be concerned but both on one system and both new

all other smart tests pass with flying colors except Seatools for windows.

and wow is sea tools great it fails and only shows failed with no info at all

it should at least log what failed like every other smart software test does

I hope that someone from Seagate could explain this

Message Edited by dbpvr on 09-19-2008 03:48 AM

[Sanek]

I'm not sure, but I believe I know what is causing the problem.

If you have a SATA hard drive and you have correct SATA drivers installed under Windows and your motherboard is passing the hard drive as a SATA device, then everything should work correctly.

In my case, my motherboard was passing the hard drive as an ATA-133 device (not SATA, even though it was connected physically using the SATA connector) - that was done so that I did not need to install the SATA drivers with Windows at the time.

I think the utility is just extremely picky to things like that and thats what caused the problem in my case ( I think! )

I'd recommend to run Seatools for DOS and see whether that says that SMART has been tripped or not. Also run the Long test in Seatools for DOS and make sure there are no errors. If all is successful then its a good chance that the drive is OK.


If Seatools for DOS freezes all of a sudden (happened to me in the middle of the long test with the newest version), use the copy thats included in Ultimate Boot CD (its free), its slightly older and works perfectly.

Message Edited by Sanek on 09-19-2008 09:45 PM

[fmsoo]

Hmmm, I might be a year or more late in replying this post. Just bought a 1.5TB Barracuda 7200.11 and have exactly the same problem - SMART fails in Windows but no issues in DOS version of Seatools. I also have an existing Maxtor & Western Digital which are 2-4 years old and guess what...Seatools fail them also! So I ran the Western Digital Lifeguard Tool and it passes all three HDD.

It looks to me like a bug but apparently Seagate isn't too keen in responding to this. I actually raised a case and sent them screenshots of both SeaTools & WD LIfeguard results but the only response i got was what looked like an automated reply asking me to send it in for RMA. Anyway, my Barracuda is still going strong 2 weeks in play...will give it a few more months to see what happens.

[fzabkar]

Try another SMART diagnostic tool.

HD Sentinel (DOS / Windows/Linux):

http://www.hdsentinel.com/

HDDScan for Windows:

http://hddscan.com/

[Daniguy]

WoW. I was crazy looking for some information about the same problem.

I was trying 3 drives with Seatools for Windows last version and the same problem always SMART FAILURE and have reiceved a Seagate error code to change the unit (warranty cheker...) Then I have tried this units in another computer and SMART was OK.

Probably a Nvidia driver problem then?

But I ask me, How many drives has Seagate changed for this software error? X-D Incredible...

[cjp]

Seriously? I noticed this on a drive that was out of warranty, and although my instincts told me something weird was going on, I was in a hurry and so went and bought a new drive - of the same model, as I wasn't going to hold one duff drive against Seagate, as I've used many good ones. So it arrives and I set it up and lo' the same error.... that's when I found this post.

So I have spent £30 and have a spare 500GB hard drive. I've no doubt it'll get used, but I'm cross nonetheless - wasted time and money.

The PC in question was only 18 months old, and had all possible driver updates. But the original post here is from 2008 - and this bug is still a problem?!

[Lizard]

Looking for info re. S.M.A.R.T. and found this thread. Win 7 reported HDD Error failure imminent on a ST3250823AS F/W 3.03 so I ran Seatools for Windows.  SMART failed, short and long tests passed.  Ran Seatools for DOS which shows SMART tripped but short and long tests passed.  So is failure imminent?  I think not but have backed up data and will continue use the drive for stuff I don't care about losing. It has been in use for about a month since the warning first appeared.  I think a bad SATA cable was the original reason for the SMART fail, but since it has been tripped, I don't think it can be reset, at least not by me.  I guess I should also mention that this drive is long past warranty and shows power on status at 36000 hours.  Will be interesting to see when it actually does fail!