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cynric
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:26 am    Post subject: SA8: What are these hard drive error messages dmesg? Reply with quote

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Q: What are these hard drive error messages dmesg?
Code:
ata1: translated ATA stat/err 0x51/04 to SCSI SK/ASC/ASCQ 0xb/00/00
ata1: status=0x51 { DriveReady SeekComplete Error }
ata1: error=0x04 { DriveStatusError }


A: Many times these errors indicate drive failure in the near future. If you are unfortunate enough to witness these messages there are a few steps that can be taken.
  • First: Begin backing things up starting with the most critical. If the drives are dying, the less disk activity there is, the longer it may live so choose wisely.

  • Second: If the drives are still running after backing up essential files, it's time to check if the drives truly are failing. To do this, install sys-apps/smartmontools if you haven't already. After installing them, check IDE (hdX) drives (where X is your drive letter) by
    Code:
    smartctl -a /dev/hdX

    For SATA (sdX) drives, try:
    Code:
    smartctl -a --device=ata /dev/sdX


  • Third: If no errors are reported, you may have escaped drive failure and a simple kernel config option may cure the errors. For kernel versions >=2.6.19, try enabling:
    Code:
    CONFIG_IDEDISK_MULTI_MODE:
    If you get this error, try to say Y here:

    hda: set_multmode: status=0x51 { DriveReady SeekComplete Error }
    hda: set_multmode: error=0x04 { DriveStatusError }

    If in doubt, say N.

    Symbol: IDEDISK_MULTI_MODE [=y]
    Prompt: Use multi-mode by default
       Defined at drivers/ide/Kconfig:156
       Depends on: BLOCK && IDE && BLK_DEV_IDE
       Location:
         -> Device Drivers
           -> ATA/ATAPI/MFM/RLL support
             -> ATA/ATAPI/MFM/RLL support (IDE [=y])
               -> Enhanced IDE/MFM/RLL disk/cdrom/tape/floppy support (BLK_DEV_IDE [=y])


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