[smartmontools-support]Re: what does this errror mean

[<li...@pe...>]

On Fri, 9 Apr 2004, Bruce Allen wrote:

> > I started the smart tools on my compter and after running for a  day
> > I found this in the /var/log/messages several times.
> >
> > What does this error message mean?
> >
> >  Device: /dev/hda, SMART Prefailure Attribute: 7 Seek_Error_Rate changed
> > from 200 to 100
>
> It's not an error message, just informational. It means that the
> normalized value of Attribute #7 changed.
>
> You get these messages because you have an (explicity or implied) '-p'
> option in /etc/smartd.conf.
>
> If you find these messages annoying, turn them off with '-I 7' in
> /etc/smartd.conf.

But is it recommended to ignore it ? According to Active
SMART's help file:

"Average rate of seek errors. This attribute indicates a state
of head positioning mechanism. Lower values shows that there is
a problem with head positioning."

And SIGuardian:

"Count of seek errors. When your HDD reads data, it positions
heads in the needed place. If there is a failure in the
mechanical positioning system, a seek error arises. More seek
errors (i.e. lower attribute value) - indicates worse condition
of a disk surface and disk mechanical subsystem."

I too noticed a change in this attribute 3 or 4 times in almost
a year. It went from 100 to 93 and returned to 100. Why always
to 93 is another story. And I think the last time I heard a
sound from the hard disk.

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