“Free software enabling users of the Linux operating system
to monitor their hard drives and detect predictable drive failures
is available from the Concurrent Systems Laboratory at the
University of California, Santa Cruz. Development of the
software is sponsored by Quantum Corp. of Milpitas, Calif., a
leading manufacturer of hard-disk drives.”
“The failure of a hard drive is among the most frustrating
experiences for computer users, and can be catastrophic if the
drive’s data have not been backed up. The S.M.A.R.T.
(Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) system monitors
hard drives and warns of impending failures before they happen.
Originally developed by Compaq, S.M.A.R.T. technology has become an
industry standard for hard drive manufacturers.”
“The S.M.A.R.T. system allows the computer to talk to the hard
drive and ask how it’s doing by measuring various performance
parameters,” said Darrell Long, associate professor of computer
science in the Jack Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa
Cruz.”