The SMART analysis
The first info screen shows the SMART status according to the plate. This is the condition from the manufacturer's perspective. This can be “okay” or “error”. Below is a list of SMART attributes. Which attributes are supported and how depends heavily on the manufacturer and disk model. Although there are common types of use, there is unfortunately no set standard that is always adhered to by every manufacturer.
The hard drive stores a value for each attribute that indicates the current status. Unlike SMART for ATA hard drives the attributes do not have unique ID values. Depending on the manufacturer and disk model, different values will be displayed.
This will be followed, if supported, by information from the error logs in which the disk records all errors, including those caused by other software such as Backup software or copy software simply sent incorrect commands. A high value should not worry you as long as no critical errors (read/write errors and others) are displayed. A classic error entry in the log could be, for example, “Invalid Queue Size”. This error indicates that software running Windows or another operating system sent an incorrect request to the hard drive that could not be processed. However, this is not a critical error and does not indicate a defect in the disk.
The SMART self-tests
Self-tests run internally on the disk, which means on the one hand that they can continue to run in the background while you are using toolstar®test or toolstar®shredder carry out other tests (with restrictions on other plate tests), but on the other hand also that toolstar®test or toolstar®shredder has no further influence on these self-tests! You can view the results of the last (max. 21) self-tests and start a short self-test in which the disk firmware only performs basic tests and which usually lasts about 1 or 2 minutes. A detailed self-test also examines the entire plate surface and therefore takes significantly longer, depending on the plate size.
The initially stated estimated duration is the minimum duration stated by the plate itself; the SMART specification recommends not addressing the disk earlier. You have the option of canceling a self-test, but this is not recommended as it cannot be ruled out that the plate will react undesirably, especially at the beginning of the test.
Common SMART attributes
| Parameter name | Description |
| Available reserve | Shows how many reserve blocks the disk still has available to swap out defective memory blocks. |
| Percentage usage (stamina) | Displays the percentage of hard drive wear. |
| Data read | Shows in GB how much data has already been read in total. |
| Written data | Shows in GB how much data has already been written in total. |
| Switch off and on | Displays the total number of power cycles. |
| Switched on hours | Shows the total amount of time the hard drive was powered on. This value may differ from the controller operating time. |
| Unsafe shutdown | Shows the number of times the hard drive was unsafely powered off. This can happen due to a power outage and similar events. |
| Duration with warning temperature | Shows how many hours the hard drive was operated at warning temperature. |
