I think my HDD is dieing...

[mikehowett]

After having my iMac about 2 weeks the HDD started to make strange noises. This got me worried and I ran the disk utility to make sure everything was ok. It reported everything as being ok, but I ran the extended Apple hardware test to be sure. This too reported everything as being ok. But after restarting into OS X it was taking ages and pausing to open the Apps folder, taking about 5 seconds whilst the HDD made the strange noises again. I thought this definitely wasn't right, so I ran the disk utility again and again it said everything was ok. I then thought a windows app might pick up the problem so I booted into XP and ran a program to check the HDD, it said it was fine. I then tried the Seagate online tool to check for problems and after doing the extended test it said it found bad sectors on the drive and I should back up my data etc. Then I restarted into OS X and this time the disk utility was saying the drive had failed the S.M.A.R.T status and I should replace it. At this point I phoned Apple tech support, who advised me to run the hardware test utility and if it passed it meant it was fine. Well the guy didn't want to hang on the phone to wait for the test to finish so said if it fails take it to your nearest Apple shop for a replacement HDD. The test passed to my supprise but the disk utility was still saying the HDD had failed S.M.A.R.T verification.

There was no way I could repair the drive via the disk utility so I thought a full reinstall might help. I did the reinstall and since then (about 11 days ago) it's been fine. However, last night the problems showed up again but no S.M.A.R.T failures yet.

Would like some advice please as to what to do now. My gut feeling says the HDD is bad and that it needs replacing but I'm worried if I take it to the Apple store (which is alot of hassle) they'll tell me it's fine.

Thanks in advance

 

[aquajet]

The drive is faulty, period. If it fails SMART status, then it should be replaced under warranty. Bring it to an Apple Store if one is close, otherwise call Apple back and demand warranty service. The clown you talked to obviously lacks knowledge on the issue. Ask to speak to their supervisor should the representative give you any guff. Good luck.

 

[mikehowett]

The drive is faulty, period. If it fails SMART status, then it should be replaced under warranty. Bring it to an Apple Store if one is close, otherwise call Apple back and demand warranty service. The clown you talked to obviously lacks knowledge on the issue. Ask to speak to their supervisor should the representative give you any guff. Good luck.

Thanks aquajet, I'm planning to take it to the closest Apple store this Sunday, hopefully it'll fail again before then so I have something to show them. Do you think I need to package the whole lot up or just the actual iMac?

 

[aquajet]

Probably no need to bring everything. You might want to call and ask, just to make sure.

 

[dr_lha]

FYI, SMART status is no indication as to whether a HD is failing. I've just had to replace a HD on my PB that crapped out and all the time its been reporting SMART status as "verified" despite sounding like someone changing gears on a car without pushing in the clutch.

 

[mikehowett]

FYI, SMART status is no indication as to whether a HD is failing. I've just had to replace a HD on my PB that crapped out and all the time its been reporting SMART status as "verified" despite sounding like someone changing gears on a car without pushing in the clutch.

So how can I prove to them that it's failing?

 

[dr_lha]

So how can I prove to them that it's failing?

Good question...?

EDIT: Have you run the Hardware Test on the computer? The one that comes on the original install DVDs?

 

[aquajet]

If SMART status is failing and the computer is under warranty, Apple must replace the hard drive. There's nothing else to prove besides showing them.

FYI, SMART status is no indication as to whether a HD is failing.

Yes, it is. But it can't detect everything.

Link

 

[mikehowett]

Good question...?

EDIT: Have you run the Hardware Test on the computer? The one that comes on the original install DVDs?

Done this already when it showed as S.M.A.R.T status failing and it said there was nothing wrong.

If SMART status is failing and the computer is under warranty, Apple must replace the hard drive. There's nothing else to prove besides showing them.

The thing is, it's not currently showing a S.M.A.R.T failure.

 

[mikehowett]

UPDATE: After running the Verify disk function in the disk utility, the HDD produced a S.M.A.R.T failure again, so I have something to show the people in the Apple store now

edit: currently refusing to boot, got a few more bits to get off it too

edit2: finally got it to boot after getting most stuff by using target disk mode, should I wipe it or just remove stuff that's personal?