S.M.A.R.T. Status Failing

Hi guys,

I went to install OS X Lion on my imac today, and I got a error saying 'This disk has S.M.A.R.T. errors. This disk has a hardware problem that can't be repaired'.

So I opened the Disk Utility and found that the main mac hard drive is red, I saw that the S.M.A.R.T. Status is in red saying 'Failing'. I've had my iMac since about 2009 so it is serving well as it should for the price.

I've not noticed this problem, so I don't know how long it has actually been failing for; I've not really noticed any difference although I guess sometimes it can be slow processing data.

While I am quite handy with computers I've seen videos showing how to open the imac up and fit a new drive, I don't really want to chance it - I'd much prefer a Apple professional doing it, rather then me trying and getting dust and whatever else trapped in the screen.

Does anyone know the best way to go about this, I cannot really find anything on Apples website; would I just take my imac in to an apple store?

I was thinking about fitting myself and putting in a new SSD drive (A friend put it in his Macbook Pro and its amazing how fast its become booting etc).

Thanks for your advice guys

Macs said:

While I am quite handy with computers I've seen videos showing how to open the imac up and fit a new drive, I don't really want to chance it - I'd much prefer a Apple professional doing it, rather then me trying and getting dust and whatever else trapped in the screen.

Click to expand...

You really can do this yourself. You mentioned that you are "quite handy with computers"...so you should be perfectly capable of doing it.

If you feel that you are not capable of replacing the hard drive in your iMac...then I'm afraid that you need to reassess how "quite handy" you are with computers! Because a "quite handy" computer person could definitely do this! Just being honest.

Macs said:

Does anyone know the best way to go about this, I cannot really find anything on Apples website; would I just take my imac in to an apple store?

Click to expand...

A local Apple Store would be the place to take it...or a local Apple authorized repair shop. But going this route may cost you a lot more than you think...and certainly a lot more than it would cost you to do it.

If you've seen lots of videos on how to do this (check out ifixit.com for their step-by-step procedure as well)...and you feel that you are quite handy with computers...then I bet you can do it!

HTH,

- Nick

By the way...if this should happen to be a "Late-2009" iMac...replacing the hard drive yourself is MUCH more complicated (if you want to do it right)...it has to do with a special hard drive cable/sensor Apple has been using on "Late-2009" and later iMac's:

How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Late 2009," "Mid-2010," "Mid-2011" and "Late 2011" (21.5-Inch and 27-Inch) Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade these models? @ EveryMac.com

The actual process of replacing the hard drive is no more difficult than earlier iMacs (early 2009)...the problem is finding the correct hard drive that works with the special cable.

Read this as well:

http://blog.macsales.com/2751-proprietary-cable-can-put-the-brakes-on-upgrading-late-09-imacs

- Nick

Hi,

Thanks for your advice. I've just looked on the internet and I'm finding it difficuilt to officially establish the correct hard drive for the iMac. I don't want to end up getting the wrong one after stripping it apart.

The hard drive in this Mac is a 319.73GB so I guess you could call it the 320 more or less. It says Created '29 August 2009'

Thanks for ur help

Macs said:

Hi,

Thanks for your advice. I've just looked on the internet and I'm finding it difficuilt to officially establish the correct hard drive for the iMac. I don't want to end up getting the wrong one after stripping it apart.

The hard drive in this Mac is a 319.73GB so I guess you could call it the 320 more or less. It says Created '29 August 2009'

Thanks for ur help

Click to expand...

I think that we need to determine EXACTLY what model iMac you have before we move further.

Tell us:

- the display size
- the cpu speed
- cpu type (core 2 duo, i3, i5, i7)
- the video hardware it has

With this we should be able to exactly determine what model iMac you have...and then see what that means in terms of the replacement HD you need.

- Nick

You need a standard 3.5" SATA (Serial ATA) hard drive, a 1TB drive or less should be fairly cheap

My specs are:

Display: 20"
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed: 2.66GHz
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9400

Thanks!

Macs said:

My specs are:

Display: 20"
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed: 2.66GHz
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9400

Click to expand...

This is an "Early 2009" iMac. Like "Louishen" already mentioned...you just need any sort of "standard" 3.5" SATA hard drive!

You select the size...and install!

- Nick

louishen said:

You need a standard 3.5" SATA (Serial ATA) hard drive, a 1TB drive or less should be fairly cheap

Click to expand...

pigoo3 said:

This is an "Early 2009" iMac. Like "Louishen" already mentioned...you just need any sort of "standard" 3.5" SATA hard drive!

You select the size...and install!

- Nick

Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for your help guys! I will look around for a 1tb one. Might aswell upgrade a bit while i've got the chance.

Macs said:

Might aswell upgrade a bit while i've got the chance.

Click to expand...

ABSOLUTELY...good luck!

- Nick

SMART error when trying to install OS X Lion

I am having the same issue. While trying to install OS X Lion it said "this disk has S.M.A.R.T. errors. The disk problem cannot be repaired....."

Here is my information


Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac6,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM61.0093.B07
SMC Version (system): 1.10f3

Can I replace the hard drive and if so...what kind? Where do you recommend buying from?

Another new hard drive required alas.

SMARTStatus tells no lies and takes no prisoners as it were.

Can I replace it with a new drive or am I better off buying a new iMac.

Where is the best place to purchase a drive from?

(Currently in Disk Utility doing FIrst Aid for disk. Not even 5 minutes into first aid and the have more than 50 entries permissions repaired and it is less than 1/10 done.)

A model 6.1 is now over seven years of age must be showing signs of slowness etc. A new drive is cheaper than a new computer, but alas not as good. Decision we all face alas. if you go the replacing drive route, start with OWC Mac Specialists and then shop about.


http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/3.5-SerialATA/