Can't get SMART, temperature readings, etc. from enclosed HDDs?

[ANTant]

Hello!

Is this normal? I have a new Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 (ST325082 3A; 250
GB HDD; 7200 RPM) in a new external Kingwin HDD Enclosure (MS-350U-S)
via USB (connected when needed) as my fourth HDD. It is mainly for
backups, archiving, etc. to make room on my internal three IDE HDDs. I
only power it (plugged) on when needed (use remove in system tray and
unplug the AC power).

SpeedFan v4.27 doesn't list this drive at all. HD Tune, Everest Home
v2.20.405, and HWiNFO32 v1.58 doesn't seem to show the full details like
my other HDDs. This is in Windows XP Pro. SP2 with all updates.

Is this normal? If not, then what's the problem?
--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[Arno Wagner]

Hello!

Is this normal? I have a new Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 (ST325082 3A; 250
GB HDD; 7200 RPM) in a new external Kingwin HDD Enclosure (MS-350U-S)
via USB (connected when needed) as my fourth HDD. It is mainly for
backups, archiving, etc. to make room on my internal three IDE HDDs. I
only power it (plugged) on when needed (use remove in system tray and
unplug the AC power).

SpeedFan v4.27 doesn't list this drive at all. HD Tune, Everest Home
v2.20.405, and HWiNFO32 v1.58 doesn't seem to show the full details like
my other HDDs. This is in Windows XP Pro. SP2 with all updates.

Is this normal? If not, then what's the problem?

It is normal. The problem is that USB does not implement the ATA
command set, but merely a reduced SCSI storage command set. With
this it is not possible to get SMART commands to the drive. Only
option is to remoce it from thye enclosure and connect it directly.
I do this occasionally for my external drives to check their health.

Arno

 

[Curious George]

Is this normal? If not, then what's the problem?

This was covered recently in "Network Storage for home (WiFi or not)"

 

[Rod Speed]

Is this normal?
Yes.

I have a new Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 (ST325082 3A; 250 GB HDD;
7200 RPM) in a new external Kingwin HDD Enclosure (MS-350U-S) via
USB (connected when needed) as my fourth HDD. It is mainly for
backups, archiving, etc. to make room on my internal three IDE HDDs.
I only power it (plugged) on when needed (use remove in system tray
and unplug the AC power).

SpeedFan v4.27 doesn't list this drive at all. HD Tune, Everest Home
v2.20.405, and HWiNFO32 v1.58 doesn't seem to show the full details
like my other HDDs. This is in Windows XP Pro. SP2 with all updates.

Is this normal?

Yes, you cant see the SMART data with a USB or firewire connected drive.

That's the big downside with external drives. 1

If not, then what's the problem?

Just that its external.

 

[ANTant]

It is normal. The problem is that USB does not implement the ATA
command set, but merely a reduced SCSI storage command set. With
this it is not possible to get SMART commands to the drive. Only
option is to remoce it from thye enclosure and connect it directly.
I do this occasionally for my external drives to check their health.

Interesting. Thanks!
--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[ANTant]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

Yes, you cant see the SMART data with a USB or firewire connected drive.

That's the big downside with external drives. 1

Just that its external.

Thanks! I got worried.
--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[shopping]

interesting - useful info - thanks

It is normal. The problem is that USB does not implement the ATA
command set, but merely a reduced SCSI storage command set. With
this it is not possible to get SMART commands to the drive. Only
option is to remoce it from thye enclosure and connect it directly.
I do this occasionally for my external drives to check their health.

Arno

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

interesting - useful info - thanks

Always question what babblemouth has to say.
Bablemouth knows everything there is to know about everything.
He is after all Babblemouth.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

It is normal. The problem is that USB does not implement the ATA
command set, but merely a reduced SCSI storage command set.

No, USB does not. Some USB storage type devices do. Others do mot.