[KyloRilee]

Hi all,

My parents computer has been giving a strange message, they say for about the past month. Whenever it starts up, a message comes up saying:

"Warning: Dells Disk Monitoring System has detected that drive 0 on the Primary EIDE Controller is operating outside of normal specifications."

They are afraid that their harddrive is going out, and will have to replace it. It's a fairly old computer anyway, so I suggested they may want to think about buying a brand new one. IF that is the case. However, I am not sure.

Anyone know what this is? Any advice?

Thank you!

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Its Dell's version of what's known as SMART technology.

SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) is basically technology that allows one to predict when a drive is going to fail. Notice use of predict. A drive that claims its about to fail under this technology may go tomorrow, it may go next week, it may not die for another three years. Therefore backup all important documents/pictures etc NOW while you still can.

Depending on the age of the computer, it may not be practical or possbile to just replace the drive. Considering new computers are now so cheap it will probably work out quicker to buy a new one rather than upgrade that one, depending on what the system is used for.

Read all about SMART technology here:
http://en.wikipedia....ting_Technology

Edited by Neil Jones, 28 December 2005 - 05:26 PM.

[Neil Jones]

Its Dell's version of what's known as SMART technology.

SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) is basically technology that allows one to predict when a drive is going to fail. Notice use of predict. A drive that claims its about to fail under this technology may go tomorrow, it may go next week, it may not die for another three years. Therefore backup all important documents/pictures etc NOW while you still can.

Depending on the age of the computer, it may not be practical or possbile to just replace the drive. Considering new computers are now so cheap it will probably work out quicker to buy a new one rather than upgrade that one, depending on what the system is used for.

Read all about SMART technology here:
http://en.wikipedia....ting_Technology

Edited by Neil Jones, 28 December 2005 - 05:26 PM.