Is Linux killing my harddisk?

enemorales · 03-01-2005, 03:31 AM

Hi there,

Today morning my harddisk made a weird sound. The last time I heard something like that was in the beginning of the end of my previous harddisk: some weeks after the sound increased, the harddisk performance decreased and finally the disk was dead. It was a 1 year hitachi.

Probably if this harddisk (3 months samsumg) dies I will be able to claim a new one (warranty applies, I hope), but I would like to know if I'm doing something wrong and/or I can do something to prevent this kind of things to happen. Of course, I mean this from the point of view of linux configuration, as I think I'm careful enough when handling my notebook. Anyway, advices about harddisks brands in general would be welcome (if I have to change the disk

)

So far the only tool I know is hdparm. Here it is what it reads when run:

Code:

# hdparm /dev/hda
/dev/hda:
 multcount    = 16 (on)
 IO_support   =  0 (default 16-bit)
 unmaskirq    =  0 (off)
 using_dma    =  1 (on)
 keepsettings =  0 (off)
 readonly     =  0 (off)
 readahead    = 256 (on)
 geometry     = 16383/255/63, sectors = 40060403712, start = 0

Thank you very much in advance.

jonr · 03-01-2005, 12:11 PM

Though written for Gentoo users, the following might be helpful:

http://www.gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Mon..._smartmontools

At one time I had the smartmontools on my system but apparently no more...anyway I think they will be useful. As far as I know, all modern hard drives incorporate SMART technology (though I understand the self-reporting can be misleading sometimes).

Hope this helps.

enemorales · 03-01-2005, 03:03 PM

Thank you. I happen to be a Gentoo user

. I've emerged the tools. So far, I got a "PASSED" in the standard test and "Completed without errors" in a short self test. Now I'm waiting long test's results.

Maybe the sounds are related with temperature. I was very cold this morning when I heard my harddisk complaining. It has behaved well during the afternoon, particulary after some hard work (I've emerged mplayer).

Thank you again!

jonr · 03-01-2005, 03:17 PM

I don't think hard-disk noise is always a sign of impending doom, but given your bad experience before, I don't blame you for being alarmed! Let's hope it was just the cold weather.

By the way, it used to be recommended that if a hard drive was very cold, it should be allowed to warm to normal operating temperature before writing to it, otherwise the tracks might be offset and be unreadable. I don't know if this still applies (I read it years ago) but I imagine it does.

EliotK · 03-01-2005, 03:21 PM

Ive been getting a weird noise around my hd, the same as that guy, im running fc3, but i think its dust and dirt.....

initialdrifteg6 · 03-01-2005, 03:42 PM

perhaps one of the mice in the wheel is startin to kick the bucket... hrmm... i told you that you should of invested in hamsters =)~

a bit of stupid humor for ya =)~

enemorales · 03-03-2005, 02:45 AM

Yeap. I've heard "the sound" a couple of times again, even after some hours of use. It is like it had problems for reading and had to try again (similar to what happens with cds).

Thank you, everybody (joke included

). We'll see what happens. At least I have 3 years warranty, but I don't know how well it will work here in France.