Error message I've never seen

[kdbilly]

I started getting an error message (4 times) that is new to me, never before have encountered it. I'm thinking it might have something to do with itunes, but not sure. It seems to have started since i've started using itunes recently.

It says it's reported by TechTool which I have installed on the system for maintenance. I've posted a screen shot of the message.

Is this something I should be concerned about? How concerned? It's happening on a G4/733. Any info would be great.

Thanks!

 

[JNB]

The SMART routines are built into the hard drive itself by the drive manufacturer. They are proprietary and different for each drive manufacturer. Basically, a threshold exceeded indicates that the drive has exceeded what the manufacturer thinks are proper operating parameters for it and it may be getting close to failing. For an interpretation of the seriousness of a specific problem you would need to contact the drive manufacturer. A failure is a warning to be sure to keep good backups and consider replacing the drive. If you get a SMART failure on a drive that is under warranty, the drive manufacturer will typically replace the drive.

 

[trainguy77]

Backup ASAP the drive is failing.

 

[kdbilly]

Wow, thanks for the fast replies. Bummer though.. I'm backing up today and replacing the drive ASAP.

Anyone know how to back up lotsa gigs of itunes stuff? I've never done that yet.

Thanks again.. you all rock!

 

[skinnylegs]

I'd pick up a USB external HD as they are next to nothing nowadays.

 

[PkennethV]

Wow, thanks for the fast replies. Bummer though.. I'm backing up today and replacing the drive ASAP.

Anyone know how to back up lotsa gigs of itunes stuff? I've never done that yet.

Thanks again.. you all rock!

Defiantly best/easiest way is on an external hard drive if you've got one handy (if not then now is a good time to get one...). That way you can backup the entire system. If not then there's a feature in iTunes under File>Backup to Disk. You're going to need a few DVDs or a lot of CDs though, depending on how much data you have.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

I'd pick up a USB external HD as they are next to nothing nowadays.

FireWire would be a heck of a lot faster.

FireWire is, in my experience, MUCH faster & more reliable. Well worth the investment.

Oh, and - the iTunes thing. Just copy the iTunes folder listed in your Home Folder -> Music -> iTunes. just copy the entire folder over.

 

[mustang_dvs]

Dupe the entire disk with Carbon Copy Cloner -- it can either overwrite a blank disk or create a Disk Image (.dmg) on the target disk.

http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html

BTW, Firewire has the advantage of being bootable, if the drive that's failing is your boot disk.

Unfortunately, it appears that it's a Western Digital drive... if it were a Seagate, it'd have a higher chance of still having warranty left (they have the longest drive warranties in the industry -- 5-to-10 years), but it's worth checking on WDC's website if you still have any warranty left.

Update: I took the liberty of checking your warranty (you might want to remove the image or blur/mosaic the serial)...

SN: WMAEPxxxxx ‡ Model: WD2500JBRTL Status: Out of Limited Warranty Exp Date: 10/18/2006†

It might be possible to extend the period of the warranty, if you have proof that it was purchased more recently -- enter the serial on WDC's website for instructions on how to update their info.

 

[kdbilly]

Wow, you all are awesome. Thanks very much.

I've replaced other drives with Western Digital drives, should I stick with that brand or is there a better one. I realize it's opinions, etc.

Thanks again..

 

[trainguy77]

Wow, you all are awesome. Thanks very much.

I've replaced other drives with Western Digital drives, should I stick with that brand or is there a better one. I realize it's opinions, etc.

Thanks again..

Western Digitals are fine some people don't like them. However i think they are just fine.

 

[dkoralek]

Western Digitals are fine some people don't like them. However i think they are just fine.

I'd second that.

cheers.

 

[mustang_dvs]

Except for the mass extinction of the 75GXP DeathStar, every hard drive that's ever failed on me for reasons that weren't environmental* was built by Western Digital. In the opinion of the IT staff that I supervised at my last job, Caviar might as well have been deemed "Crapiar".

WDC might be better these days, and the Google Server Farm doc might actually show that WD's are as reliable, if not more so, these days (if the doc is authentic), but I'd rather plunk my cash onto another manufacturer's product.

* I had a Seagate 7200.9 fail after the PCB was covered in brick dust due to an unannounced construction project in my old apartment building -- I can only imagine what it did to my lungs; I also had a 7200.10 drive that was DOA, likely due to carrier handling. Both were replaced under warranty by Seagate.

 

[dr01dy]

Dupe the entire disk with Carbon Copy Cloner -- it can either overwrite a blank disk or create a Disk Image (.dmg) on the target disk.

http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html

BTW, Firewire has the advantage of being bootable, if the drive that's failing is your boot disk.

Unfortunately, it appears that it's a Western Digital drive... if it were a Seagate, it'd have a higher chance of still having warranty left (they have the longest drive warranties in the industry -- 5-to-10 years), but it's worth checking on WDC's website if you still have any warranty left.

Update: I took the liberty of checking your warranty (you might want to remove the image or blur/mosaic the serial)...

It might be possible to extend the period of the warranty, if you have proof that it was purchased more recently -- enter the serial on WDC's website for instructions on how to update their info.

errrr USB2 is faster then firewire 400

 

[JNB]

errrr USB2 is faster then firewire 400

Only at peak, Firewire still is superior for sustained transfer rates. There's another thread that covered that pretty thoroughly.

 

[trainguy77]

errrr USB2 is faster then firewire 400

As JohnNotBeatle said USB2 theoretically is faster but it can't stay at those speeds. However firewire can stay its speeds. So unless you transferring REALLY small files very rarely firewire will be faster. And then if you get firewire 800 its a totally different story again.

 

[kdbilly]

So, thanks to you guys for helping out. Very cool. I got everything backed up and bought a new HD. I keep getting the error message, so for curiosity sake I'm going to wait and see how and what happens next. I'm going to work it hard and see if I can make something happen. Thanks again..