S.M.A.R.T. Status: Failing - Can't Erase

The status report tells you the drive is failing. Don't try to reformat the drive. It's under warranty so get it replaced.

Since you've told us nothing about what you see in DU when your try to format the drive, we can't give you any input. However, the SMART status has nothing to do with formatting the drive, but if the drive is failing then that could be why. You could try the following:

Extended Hard Drive Preparation

1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.

2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.

3. Set the number of partitions from the drop down menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (only required for Intel Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.

5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.

6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.

SMART status is just a reporting tool. you can't turn it off and it can't prevent you from doing anything. you can't erase because the disk is failing/has failed. most likely there is no way around it.

BTW, did you use the restore tab or the erase tab in DU when trying to erase the drive? try both, although most likely it won't work.

rightsider4, I could have written your post myself. I've just been through the same thing on a MacPro. I've solved the erase / partition problem by installing my SMART failing drive in a USB (USB or firewire will work) enclosure. Since USB and firewire don't support the SMART status, Disk Utility will not grey out the erase and partition (or any other) options. If the drive is in fact still working, this should allow you to wipe your info before sending the drive back. I hope this finds you in time.