Some folks test their drives after buying them new to ensure the drive doesn't have any problems.

 

From a post I saw, garycase tests his new drives with Western Digital's Data Lifeguard (http://support.wdc.com/KnowledgeBase/answer.aspx?ID=940).

 

I test my drives on a PC before putting them in the UnRAID box.

 

My testing process is as follows:

 

With Data Lifeguard I run a Quick test; then an extended test; then a full write zeroes; then repeat the quick & extended tests.    ANY errors and I return the drive for a replacement.

 

Then I run one pre-clear cycle so the drive's ready to add without any need for UnRAID to clear it.

 

If I didn't do the Data Lifeguard tests, I'd run 2 pre-clear cycles.

 

I don't own a PC, just a macbook pro with Parallels on it. Does anyone know of any other software for a Mac that can do what Garycase does with Data Lifeguard?

If you have a spare slot in your unraid server you can use the preclear script.

 

Other then that there is the linux badblocks command.

 

There is also the standard smart firmware commands.

 

conveyance test which tests the drive's functionality to verify any transit damage.

smart long test which scans the surface for issues.

 

My confidence test is on an unRAID server.

 

1.  smart conveyance test (check logs after complete) {minutes}

2.  smart long test (check logs after complete) {hours}

3.  badblocks 4 pass write read test (check screen for any failures) {days}

4.  smart long test again (check logs after complete) {hours}

 

If I need to add a preclear signature then I use Joe L's excellent preclear script to add the signature.

 

This is a pretty long procedure on large drives, but it has saved me from adding new and old questionable drives into my array.

If you have a spare slot in your unraid server you can use the preclear script.

 

Other then that there is the linux badblocks command.

 

There is also the standard smart firmware commands.

 

conveyance test which tests the drive's functionality to verify any transit damage.

smart long test which scans the surface for issues.

 

My confidence test is on an unRAID server.

 

1.  smart conveyance test (check logs after complete) {minutes}

2.  smart long test (check logs after complete) {hours}

3.  badblocks 4 pass write read test (check screen for any failures) {days}

4.  smart long test again (check logs after complete) {hours}

 

If I need to add a preclear signature then I use Joe L's excellent preclear script to add the signature.

 

This is a pretty long procedure on large drives, but it has saved me from adding new and old questionable drives into my array.

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't understand anything you just said but at least I know what to google for more information. Thanks.

If you have a spare slot in your unraid server you can use the preclear script.

 

Preclear is probably all you need from the most basic level (note it will erase the drive) for a drive destined to be used in unRAID.

 

on another note, the smart long(extended) test is a read only operation

 

Another thought is to use hdsentinal, but that looks to be PC and linux oriented.

 

some other links which may help you help yourself.

 

http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/135565/how-do-i-get-detailed-smart-disk-information-on-os-x-mavericks-or-later

http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20031122041138373

http://pondini.org/OSX/DU9.html

 

If you can get smartmon tools on your version of OS, then you can have command line access to trigger the smart firmware tests.

Great! Thank you for giving me a place to start! I'll report back if I have any more questions, thanks again