96 errors - after each reboot

[bytestream]

sentinel Pro V4 5237
Just trying each of my discs on Sentinel. This one is a Seagate ST3750528AS (On XP sp3).

I get this message:-
======================
96 errors occured during data transfer. This may indicate problem of the device or with data/power cables. It is recommended to examine and replace the cables if possible.
At this point, warranty replacement of the disk is not yet possible, only if the health drops further.
It is recommended to examine the log of the disk regularly. All new problems found will be logged there.

No actions needed.
======================

The strange thing is that I get the same message each time i.e. the number 96 is constant. If it really were a data transfer error I guess it would be very unlikely to be the same number each time.

Your thoughts appreciated.

[hdsentinel]

Thanks for your message.

The hard disk saves all problems ever occured in its lifetime and Hard Disk Sentinel reads and displays this value.
So it is possible that the 96 errors occured long time ago, these do not happen again on every reboot.

If the error counter does not increase further, it means that the status is now stable, there are no _new_ data transfer errors.

In this situation, you can even reset the error counter in Hard Disk Sentinel: just locate the "Ultra ATA CRC Error count" attribute on the S.M.A.R.T. page and in the "Offset" column specify -96 (the amount of data transfer errors reported, just with negative sign).
Soon the text description will show the modified status ("No errors reported") and Hard Disk Sentinel will only show new problems (if there will be).

[tetrapackage]

Is there a way to remove those errors for good or at least ignore it from reading?

[hdsentinel]

Yes of course, this is exactly described before your post

Is there a way to remove those errors for good or at least ignore it from reading?

[alan-0000]

Tetrapage is acting like spammers on other forums,
who resurrect old topics with inane questions and comments to increase post count, fill up subscriber's in-boxes with notifications,
and possibly follow up with hazardous or revenue earning links.

[hdsentinel]

Yes, personally I agree ....

I just wonder if flood interval is set to 2 hours (to prevent too frequent posts) on this forum, how someone can send new posts so frequently ...
Still checking the forum engine about how to prevent this - and hopefully we can continue discussion about real, important topics.

Excuse me for the troubles !!

(links are all disabled on this forum, exactly to prevent this - so personally I really see no point on sending too frequent posts...)

[bytestream]

hd_sentinel: thanks for very clear reply. Only just got back to this drive as have been using others. I did change the setting (as described above) and it did change to -96 as needed in the SMART settings window. However the text message in the main window remains as was ie "96 errors" etc. It stays the same even across a reboot.
Thanks again.

[hdsentinel]

I suspect the -96 offset may be configured to a different attribute, not the one which actually indicates the errors and should be cleared by setting this offset.

If the proper attribute would be set, then the message should disappear and should not be displayed later (even after reboots) - except if there will be new problems again.
(note that the above is true for the registered version of Hard Disk Sentinel, as the unregistered/Trial version automatically discards the configured offsets on a restart).

I'd recommend to use Report menu -> Send test report to developer option now, so I can check and assist to configure the value properly.

[edwie9]

Hello,

I would really appreciate your help on my issue.
To begin, my hdd external model is a Seagate GoFlex 1 TB ST1000LM010-9YH146.
Got this a few weeks ago and didn't show any problems at all on first view at Hdd Sentinel.
After 2 weeks I copied 2-300 GB of data and noticed that some errors occured during data transfer and also 8 bad sectors.
Immediately ran a Reinitialize dist surface (Destructive), which btw took around 50 hours to accomplish.
Now the status of the hdd is as shown in the pictures attached.(after the test it showed 8 new pending sectors found and 8 new off-line uncorrectable sectors, but no bad or damaged ones)
The status after this is just "54 errors occured during data transfer"
I also followed your instructions regarding the Ultra ATA CRC error, changed the offset to -54 but still no changes on hdd health (performance is 100%)
In this moment I have on-going read+write+read test (refresh data area) which seems it's gonna take a while.
Now my questions are:
1. Is there any problem with the hdd?
2. Can it get back to 100% health?
Any other explanations you might have please reply.
If there is something else I could provide please let me know.

Thank you!

[hdsentinel]

Please use Report menu -> Send test report to developer option.
This would help to check the actual situation as I can see only partial details and S.M.A.R.T. data from the images.

Also I'd suggest to use the automatic update from the File menu to get the latest possible Hard Disk Sentinel version. The current version (3.70) is a bit old and some newer Seagate hard disks with special firmware requires special attention.
(if you are interested, please check viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8137#p11166 for more information about such situation).
Not sure if the firmware version of your hard disk is affected (as I do not see from the images) but it is possible, so I recommend the update.


> 1. Is there any problem with the hdd?

The hard disk is not really perfect, if it reported the problems. Fortunately, the test in Hard Disk Sentinel made the situation stable: it forced the drive to repair the possible bad sectors and now the drive can be used with no problems.
I suspect that the cables/connections may have caused the issues (especially if communication errors and problematic sectors both reported / detected).

Some drives may have different self-monitoring S.M.A.R.T. attributes indicating communication errors. One of them is the Ultra ATA CRC error attribute (where you have already cleared the error counter by applying the offset value).
And the other (which is not on the pictures) may be attribute #184 or #187, depending on the actual drive.

> 2. Can it get back to 100% health?

Yes: as with the test you confirmed that the situation is now stable and fixed, it is possible to acknowledge the reported errors, clear the error counter (by using the proper offset vaues on the S.M.A.R.T. page).
Just it is only partially done now, please check the above mentioned attributes (184, 187) and which is not 0000 (showing 00000036, which is a hexadecimal equivalent of the 54 errors reported), there you can specify the -54 to clear that error counter.
This way Hard Disk Sentinel will report only possible new problems (if there will be). So the errors will be no longer displayed in the text description and the health value will be restored to 100%.

I'd recommend to use Report menu -> Send test report to developer option as then I can check the complete situation and advise about the best way to improve the situation.
Also then (if things will change later and you'll send a new report) then it is possible to compare the situations, verify changes and possible new error(s) reported (to verify if they may be caused by the same/similar situation).

[edwie9]

Hello,

First of all many thanks for your fast reply!
After finishing the read+write+read test (refresh data area) the status of the hdd looks totally ok (no pending sectors found and no new off-line uncorrectable sectors)
I'm attaching the last status.
In the meanwhile I updated the version of my software but now it's Unregistered version.
I made the changes on attribute #187, 100% health is shown and "The hard dist status is PERFECT. Problematic or weak sectors were not found and there ar no spin up or data transfer errors"
Being an unregistered version I see it cannot keep the health at 100% as on the first restart the changes will dissapear and the previous error will be shown.
Just to mention the cable is brand new, bought it 1 month ago (Hama).
I've already sent you the test report as guided Report menu -> Send test report to developer option.
Waiting for your feedback.

Thanks in advance!

[hdsentinel]

Thanks for the image and the info about the test results, glad to hear that things are now fine and the hard disk did not report new problems.

> In the meanwhile I updated the version of my software but now it's Unregistered version.

Generally, Hard Disk Sentinel licenses are lifetime, so it is possible to update to new versions with it any time without problems.
If the updated version is now Unregistered version, then one of the following may happen:

1) you did not use the automatic update from the File menu but tried to manually download and install the new version.
This should be fine - if you use the same type of software (Standard or Pro) for your license.
If you downloaded the other version (for example Standard if you have license for Pro) then it will not accept the license and change back to Unregistered version.

2) you did not have lifetime license but used a promotional version offered by one of our partners. Then you did not have to enter your name and registration code to use the software. Those versions can be used for longer time - but without the opportunity to update to newest versions as then it switch back to Unregistered version.

3) you used an illegal modified / pirated version - which may not work correctly and/or even contain malware code - which then updated to official, unregistered version.

Yes, if you have unregistered version, the Offset value is not saved (as this is available only in the registered version).

i'd suggest to send an e-mail to info@hdsentinel.com about the situation and please send your registration info (15 digit registration code if you have) as then it is possible to check what can be wrong with your license.

[edwie9]

Hello,

Everything is ok with the update, I did make a mistake updating manually.
I installed the software in another laptop as well, and after making the necessary changes 100% health is shown.
So, let me get this straight.. actually, in this situation, I made a modification in SMART which is going to remain like this (fake/unreal status of the hdd) until any new more errors can occur.
My real question is: Is the hdd ok, totally functional and in best shape at the moment? (Can I start saving my data safe in it?)
What I managed is only "cover" the problems or make them dissapear for real?
I'm asking this because I noticed that connecting the hdd in another pc, with unregistered software, those 54 errors appeared again.

Thank you for your prompt answer!

[hdsentinel]

You can't clear the errors "physically" of course.
The hard disk records all problems found in its lifetime and it is our responsibility to verify what may have caused such problems, improve the situation and fix in all possible ways, for example by replacing the data cables, fixing connections, verify (and replace if required) the power supply and so.

Then as you can see, you can acknowledge the problems by applying this offset value in Hard Disk Sentinel, so then this software will recognise that the errors are fixed and you prefer to be notified only about possible new problems.

This is what you did - and that's why when you moved the drive to an other system, yes, of course the errors displayed again, as that version was not yet configured to not report the errors related to the past issue, but report only future issues.

So you can't make an almost dead drive 100% again and sell it like new

[edwie9]

You got me scared.
Speaking about "an almost dead drive", I hope you were not referring to mine..
So, I get it.. what's done it's done.. there is no way back about those errors.
My final questions, and I hope I didn't bother too much.
Sorry for the stupid questions, I just need to know the gravity of the issue.
How "serious" was the problem I had? Did it affect my hdd, meaning will it die soon? In this situation, what can be it's lifespan? Can I use this hdd without fear of losing my data at any moment?

I wish you nice evening!

[hdsentinel]

Of course, not referring to your drive.

Your drive was showed with 99% EXCELLENT health. This is not an "almost dead drive"
(an "almost dead drive" for me would be a drive with lower than 25% health, displayed with RED, indicating that there are serious problems with the drive).

Considering the high health value, you do not need to worry now.
The errors detected, fixed - and they do not cause further problems.
You can see the lifespan also. Displaying values like 5 or 8 years (or so) would make false assumptions, but the "more than 1000 days" is a clear indication that if the drive status does not change, then there should be no problems with the drive, at least for years.

[edwie9]

Thank you for your support!
Everything is clear at this point.
Thanks once again and have a beautiful day!