SMART HDD May Fail

Every time I boot up this SONY laptop, I get the message - SMART... Failure Predicted - back up and replace HDD. F1 to continue.
(it has a WD 120 gig. WD1200VE)

I have downloaded from the western digital site, the WD DIAG program (iso) I burn it to CD using my desktop pc, I boot up the laptop with it, long pause then I get the message - Unable to locate the licence agreement file DLGDIAG.TXT!!! Make sure it is in the same path as DLGDIAG.EXE insert correct cd and strike any key.

The TXT file is there on the cd, but the DLGDIAG.EXE is not, there is a file on the cd named DLGDIAG5.EXE.

I have downloaded the zip file too (with the iso inside) tried burning it now on 4 cd's using 2 different pc's, I get the same error message on all.

Got this laptop at a garage sale so I don't know much about it's history.
Is there any where else I can get this wd diag program, I'd like to see if it can repair it.

I have reformatted this drive with xp cd and tried to install xp but the first time it reboots it does not continue after the smart failure message.

 

So replace the drive.. But before that delete the partition off the drive, create a new one, reformat (full format) and then try it. I've seen S.M.A.R.T. errors triggered by corrupted MFTs.

 

Don't have the money to replace the drive right now.

I deleted the partition, created a new one and formatted, still the same.
A failure may be imminent.

 

Hi Hoot,

Is this the page you downloaded the software from?

If not try one of the versions there.

 

It definitely sounds like it's done then, yes.

 

yes, that is where I got it from.
I got the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD)

 

Is the Floppy (or even Windows) version not an option?

 

No, it has no floppy drive and I can't get xp to finish installing.

 

What errors do you get with the Windows Install, there may be other problems with your system if two CD's are failing.

Before investing in a new HD can you test the existing one in another computer/laptop?

Or better yet, try a Linux Live Distro, if your machine can boot with that then we can say it's a HD problem rather than a MB problem.

 

If you go into the BIOS/startup configuration setting, there should be an option to disable SMART.

On the download page for Lifeguard, further down the page there are instructions for installing (making the boot disk). Let me know if you need further help, we could search at the WD support website.

Matt

 

I just tried the windows install again, after it reboots the first time it doesn't go any further - Setup cannot create the folder \windows\system32

what is Linux Live Distro?

 

It's a linux OS that can boot without a hard drive. I was wanting to rule out other issues but I'd say your HD has already failed.

You could try SLAX for testing the rest of the system but it is looking like a new HD is required.

 

I don't have the option to disable SMART in the bios.
(very few things I can change in the bios)

I don't know how I can burn this iso wrong, when clicking the iso my nero and nti programs open and does it automatically when I click OK.
Is there something I need to change in the burning program?

 

Since you're able to boot from the CD I'd say you were doing it correctly.

 

You don't think the wd diag program can fix it?

 

It can perhaps hide the problem and buy you some time but I wouldn't trust the drive.

As far as WD's software goes I would imagine there was something else going on there, that's why I suggested using a Live Distro to test the rest of the system.

To sum up everybodies ideas...

If this was my computer I'd try to determine why WD Diags isn't working (try their support) and then verify the rest of the system was working (using a live CD)

Then once happy buy a replacement disk.

 

I got it to boot up to slax, don't see any problems.
does slax test the system automatically?

 

No, but since it doesn't use your HD it would appear that everything else is OK.

Bite the bullet and buy a new HD

 

Disabling S.M.A.R.T. won't accomplish anything. The reason your Windows install is failing is because the drive itself is failing. My guess is the heads are going on the drive, a very common problem. When the drive is failing, Windows install will throw up all kinds of wierd errors, file not founds, bluescreens, etc. The Lifeguard utility MAY work if the fault was bad sectors. CHKDSK C: /R would accomplish a similar feat. Unfortunately it looks like there's no way around replacing the drive.

 

Are you opening all the options? Sometimes it is better to read through the motherboard manual, but my last search for what can be enabled/disabled in the BIOS was somewhat fruitless, there didn't seem to be any information offered by the manufacturer, maybe you need to be forced to take it to one their repairers (mmmm?). I have always found a way to disable SMART.

SMART is pretty smart, ha, ha. Throwing error messages during bootup I could see as stopping any Windows installation.

The HDD may well be "a goner ". The only thing I would hope for is that there is damage on the surface of the of disk platters and it may be able to be marked as "bad" by CHKDSK. The data may then be able to be saved or you may be able to install Windows temporarily. SMART errors are in one way or another "fatal ".

Matt
(aweston posted before me)