drive error , this can't be good.

from Stardock Forums
Well this is pretty bad, when I load up my computer I'm getting a "S.M.A.R.T.  slave drive error backup and replace" . So does that mean that my 2nd drive is about to go to the big place in the sky   Any help would be good, if it's importent, the drive has got to be at least 7 years old by now.
39,159 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

"S.M.A.R.T. slave drive error backup and replace"

Back up all data now!

The purpose behind "Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology" is to notify you when the analysis indicates that the user should be notified.

After backing up, you can try to test the drive - but it is probably on it's way out.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So does that mean that my 2nd drive is about to go to the big place in the sky

Yes, it means exactly that.

Backup and replace it.....now, not later....

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Ok some stupid questions but, it says pri slave drive, that would be my 2nd drive correct, not my main C drive? Also what's an easy way to backup everything?
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Primary slave drive would be the drive connected to the center connection on the primary ribbon cable - so yes it would be your second drive.

For backing up, you can either save the information to CD, DVD, or tape - depending on what you are set-up for.

My preferred method:

If you happen to have enough room on the Master drive (your first drive, which probably has the OS installed on it) - you can just copy the contents to the Master drive into say a folder called "Slave Backup" - then purchase a new drive > remove old drive > install new drive > format drive as a Logical drive (either a Primary, or as an Extended partition) > move the copied files onto the new drive.

Note - you can also use a combination of both CD/DVD, and copying data to Master drive - which would save some money in CD's/DVD's, and time due to faster transfer speeds to the Master drive.

This all assumes that your second (slave) drive does not have an operating system on it. If it does, you can use a program like Ghost, or DriveImage (which I believe Jafo uses) - then create a clone image of the old drive > swap drives > your done.

BTW - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
what's an easy way to backup everything?




Norton Ghost is by far the easiest backup solution I've used. http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/backup_recovery/ghost10/index.html

Nero also has a disc backup that burns your data to CD or DVD
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corky musta posted while I was typing.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Primary slave drive would be the drive connected to the center connection on the primary ribbon cable - so yes it would be your second drive.

Actually that'd be the second drive attached to your primary IDE ribbon .....the MoBo would reference it as IDE0 ...the secondary is usually  IDE1....printed on the board.

The second drive definition isn't necessarily dependent on placement on the ribbon but on whether it's configured as 'Master' or in this case 'Slave' via jumper connections on the drives themselves.

System Harddrive 'boot' is generally only via the defined 'Master' addresses, either IDE0 or IDE1, unless the sequence in the BIOS is to boot from CD in which case the BIOS will ignore the Master/Slave option process in favour of locating the CD-Rom wherever it is.

These days BIOS's/MoBos are clever enough to provide options to boot from any attached device, but generally a master is the 'C' or system drive so a 'primary slave' is most likely NOT your 'C' drive.... 

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

so the pri slave drive is indeed the 2nd drive that I have installed not the C drive that 100 gigs on it. Man that was a near heart attack for me:) The C drive is 4 years old, would that mean in 3  more years I would have to get rid of that one as well?  Fortuntily the old drive is mainly back up, had a 2nd verison of windows installed on it for games, but got corrupted.


As a side note about the 2nd windows, how would I go about installing it back? And if this is on the 2nd drive, would I need to reinstall the motherboard, video, and sound card drivers again?


Oh and thanks so much for the anwsers.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The C drive is 4 years old, would that mean in 3 more years I would have to get rid of that one as well?

There's no specific life-span on drives...it's all about quality/use/abuse....one head-crash and they can be toast.

They are mechanical....have precision moving parts...so WILL wear out...eventually.  Trick is to have the capacity in place to backup anything 'important'...

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
You know, I believe that computers  are going to be the death of me someday Ether stress overload or perhaps an avalanche of computers falling on me
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Jafo #8.....

Yeah, I should have defined the CableSelect vs. Master/Slave jumper, and the MoBo identifying as IDE0, and IDE1....

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jafo #8.....
OEM installs of XP won't give an option if the hard disk is already formatted. I did an install when I bought 2 larger drives, evidently they had something on them (they were used) and my OEM install disk decided it would be great if it installed the OS on hard drive #2 which was "slave" on IDE1, my DVD being master. wow was I surprised when after installation was complete that my "backup" disk was going to be 80 gig and my "system" disk was the little 20 gigger.

He might check in disk management console before continuing, just to be sure of what his OS thinks is "master" and "slave".
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Well I guess for a follow up, the 2nd drive is offically dead. I didn't have anything real importent, if it was my main drive then I would be offically screwed.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Backing up is always a good idea. However, SMART is not always that smart. So the drive may have another 10 years, or 10 minutes! But backing up always is smart!

Old adage, better safe than sorry.