When your Disk Utility shows bad sectors pending in SMART, it’s a clear sign that your hard drive is experiencing errors. This could potentially lead to further deterioration of your hard drive, and in worst case scenarios, drive failure. This article will guide you through the steps you need to take to prevent data loss and potential drive failure.
When bad sectors are pending in SMART, it is important to take immediate action to prevent further issues. The quick answer is to backup your data, run the manufacturer’s diagnostic tool, check SMART error logs, and consider warranty replacement if applicable. Proceeding with a zero-fill or low-level format should only be considered as a last resort, and always remember to prioritize the safety of your data.
Backing Up Your Data
The first and most crucial step is to backup your data. Before you proceed with any troubleshooting or repair steps, ensure you have a copy of your important files. This will safeguard your data in case of further issues or drive failure. There are several ways to backup your data, including using an external hard drive or cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Running Manufacturer’s Diagnostic Tool
Next, you should run the manufacturer’s diagnostic tool. Visit your hard drive manufacturer’s website and download their diagnostic tool. This tool can help identify specific issues with your drive and provide more detailed information about the bad sectors. For instance, Seagate has SeaTools and Western Digital offers Data Lifeguard Diagnostic.
Checking SMART Error Logs
The third step involves checking the SMART error logs. You can use the smartmontools utility, specifically the smartctl command, to access the SMART error logs of your hard drive. This can provide additional information about the errors and aid in diagnosing the problem.
The command to view the extended error log is:
smartctl -l xerror /dev/sdNAnd for the standard log, use:
smartctl -l error /dev/sdNIn these commands, -l is the option to list logs, xerror and error are the types of logs to be listed, and /dev/sdN is the location of the hard drive.
Considering Warranty Replacement
If your hard drive is still under warranty and you have identified bad sectors, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer and request a replacement. They will guide you through the warranty process and provide a new drive. This is often the best course of action if the drive is still under warranty, as it ensures you get a fully working drive without the risk of further issues.
Zero-fill or Low-level Format
As a last resort, you might consider a zero-fill or low-level format. Some users have reported success in improving the performance of their hard drives by performing this process. It involves writing zeros to the entire disk, which can help realign the magnetic parts and potentially resolve some bad sectors.
However, this should only be attempted after backing up your data, as it can result in data loss. The command to perform a zero-fill is:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX bs=4MIn this command, if stands for input file (in this case, /dev/zero), of stands for output file (your hard drive), and bs stands for block size.
In conclusion, if Disk Utility shows bad sectors pending in SMART, it is important to take action to prevent further issues. Backup your data, run the manufacturer’s diagnostic tool, check SMART error logs, and consider warranty replacement if applicable. Proceed with caution when attempting a zero-fill or low-level format. Always remember that the safety of your data is paramount.
Bad sectors in SMART refer to areas on a hard drive that are no longer reliably readable or writable. They can be caused by physical damage to the disk surface or other issues.
You can backup your data by using an external hard drive, cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox, or by creating a disk image using software like Clonezilla or Acronis True Image.
If you don’t have a backup of your data, it is advisable to immediately create one before proceeding with any troubleshooting or repair steps. This will safeguard your data in case of further issues or drive failure.
To run the manufacturer’s diagnostic tool, you need to visit the website of your hard drive manufacturer and download their specific diagnostic tool. The tool will typically come with instructions on how to use it to scan your hard drive for issues.
In most cases, bad sectors cannot be repaired. However, by performing a zero-fill or low-level format, some users have reported success in improving the performance of their hard drives and potentially resolving some bad sectors. Note that this process can result in data loss and should only be attempted after backing up your data.
If your hard drive is still under warranty and you have identified bad sectors, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer and request a replacement. They will guide you through the warranty process and provide a new drive, ensuring you get a fully working drive without the risk of further issues.
You can view the SMART error logs by using the smartmontools utility and the smartctl command. To view the extended error log, use the command smartctl -l xerror /dev/sdN. To view the standard log, use the command smartctl -l error /dev/sdN. Replace /dev/sdN with the location of your hard drive.
Seeing bad sectors pending in SMART is a clear sign that your hard drive is experiencing errors. While it is a cause for concern, taking appropriate action such as backing up your data, running diagnostic tools, and checking error logs can help prevent data loss and potential drive failure.
