Hard drive Diagnostics Error

Question

Level 1

2 points

Hard drive Diagnostics Error

Recently came across a Macbook user that was charged for an additional hard drive and service that was not needed because of a False Apple Diagnostic Message after I had corrected the original fault.

Details:

Macbook Pro (13-inch Mid-2010)

I replaced the original failed hard drive with a new Sata 500GB Seagate Momentus 7200.5 I installed Mountain Lion and all works great.

However, after running Apple Service Diagnostic there was an Error for the "Internal Check SMART status" test as follows:

ERROR--33000 [Wrong drive type] -- TEST FAILED

So I ran AST1.5.3 Storage Diagnostic 1.0.3v2 on the hard drive and it gave the following Error:

SMART attribute to check not matched.

So out of curiousity I tried 2 other new Seagate hard drives including a different model and received the same error message. So I ran Seagates latest SeaTools diagnostic software and the tests Passed, it said the drives were fine.

I tried other hard drive manufacturers (Samsung, Hitachi, Fujitsu) and different sizes.....some were fine and others produced the same error messages.

After speaking with Seagate and Apple Tech Support, each assured me it was fine to use the hard drive and to ignore the error message.

But I am just wondering why the Apple Diagnostics produces this false error when the drive is new and operates fine??? What causes this false error?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Apr 19, 2013 7:48 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 11, 2013 12:20 PM in response to afisher1460

I have noticed the same thing on my Seagate Momentus XT 1TB SSHD when running AST 1.5.5 Storage Diagnostics. SMART attribute to check not matched.

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Answer 2

Oct 1, 2013 12:20 AM in response to IdleWander

Was at the Apple store today getting my machine checked due to the mouse freezing. He did the drive test and it came out with a huge FAILED report citing this same reason. Does anyone know what that means. I've got the Seagate Momentus XT 750 SSHD (hybrid). It's pretty fast and one can definitely tell the difference. I hope it doesn't mean it's really failing like what the Genius told me coz I've had it for only 2 weeks.

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Answer 3

TonyTrox

Level 1

0 points

Oct 1, 2013 12:30 AM in response to afisher1460

Hello.

I have the same problem here works seamlessly disk surface testing and logic were overcome. But when running ASD throws me the same message and noticed that the ASD eh renoce no hard drive for it throws me that error. But using the AST if it detects and shows that the hard disk has no problems.

apparent failure of compatibility with ASD.

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Answer 4

afisher1460 Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 1, 2013 10:06 AM in response to peachy MBP

Test your drive with Seagates SeaTools. SeaTools is more accurate and it is not drive specific like ASD.

(I wonder how many customers have had to pay to have hard drives needlessly replaced at an Apple Store!?!?!)

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Answer 5

TonyTrox

Level 1

0 points

Oct 1, 2013 11:39 PM in response to afisher1460

No doubt it is a compatibility issue with ASD.

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Answer 6

Oct 2, 2013 12:57 AM in response to TonyTrox

They've already told me three times that my drive failed the test. Of course each time a diff person. If I didn't come across this thread I would be sending out my HD back to Seagate.

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Answer 7

dabahD

Level 1

8 points

Sep 9, 2014 1:04 AM in response to peachy MBP

I have just had the same problem with my computer. An early Macbook Pro 17" 2011. The technicians notes state failed HDD ASD Test however for the most part my machine has been running since the last hard drive replacement. Yes last, in September 2011 when I lost all my information. Any advice on what can be done. I have been told my only option is to buy a new hard drive.

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Answer 8

Nov 19, 2016 6:11 AM in response to afisher1460

The issue is a simple one.

The AST software diagnostic only checks Compatibility against Apple's SMART database within AST.

This would only include normal 2.5 drives from their main suppliers ( Toshiba, Western Digital, HGST)

and not from others they do not use as OEM ( Seagate, Samsung)

I have verified that the issue still persists under AST v1.8, I recently replaced two customers drives with

Samsung 1TB 2.5" drives in Macbook Pros 13" (mid 2010) ( a popular model with musicians/ DJs)

and "Storage Diagnostic reports that SMART Attribute to check failed." And yet, the drive is fine,

and Seagate Tools passes it with flying colors.

In my own MBP 13 mid 2010 I have an older Seagate 500GB SSHD ( installed in 2014)

and I tested it as well. It reports the same error, and yet is rock solid and hasn't given me any issues.

So until Apple updates their OEM supplier chain and then gets SMART codes to update in their database,

the issue will continue.

This has been an issue on the desktop side as well, it is why OWC sells an adapter to bypass SMC

on the Desktop side. Its because of Apple only using their preferred OEMs and not choosing to recognize

any other drive manufacturers: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/imacdiy/

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