Reading disk temperature from SMART info

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I recently bought an external WD MyBook 500 GB drive. The enclosed
software (WD diagnostics) enables me to read drive's SMART parameters
(I thought this would only be possible with internal drives) which is
good.
However, I'd like to know how to translate its "Temperature" parameter
into something usable -- i.e. currently it shows "83", while under
"worst" it shows "77". When the disk is turned on, it's usually around
"103". Clearly this number is neither Fahrenheit nor Kelvin -- is
there any way to "translate" this into actual temperature value?
Someone mentioned I should check the raw data of this parameter;
however, the WD diagnostics doesn't show raw data of various SMART
parameters.
 
In said:
I recently bought an external WD MyBook 500 GB drive. The enclosed
software (WD diagnostics) enables me to read drive's SMART parameters
(I thought this would only be possible with internal drives)
Click to expand...

It is not possible in a generic way over USB. WD seems
to use some vendor-extension.
which is good.
Click to expand...
However, I'd like to know how to translate its "Temperature" parameter
into something usable -- i.e. currently it shows "83", while under
"worst" it shows "77". When the disk is turned on, it's usually around
"103". Clearly this number is neither Fahrenheit nor Kelvin -- is
there any way to "translate" this into actual temperature value?
Someone mentioned I should check the raw data of this parameter;
however, the WD diagnostics doesn't show raw data of various SMART
parameters.
Click to expand...

Actually the disk should use C or F as raw data (typically C,
since F is only used in some leftover backwards countries).
Seems to me WD screwed this one up.

Arno
 
Because you have been conditioned by the babblebot(s).
It is not possible in a generic way over USB.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is.
WD seems to use some vendor-extension.
Click to expand...
Clearly this number is neither Fahrenheit nor Kelvin --
Click to expand...

Because it is a normalized value: bad is lower.
In this case meaning hotter is lower.
is there any way to "translate" this into actual temperature value?
Click to expand...

Maybe. It could make sense if the 0 dC reference was 125.

103 would make 22 dC
83 would make 42 dC
77 would make 48 dC

Right. The actual values.
Actually the disk should use C or F as raw data (typically C,
since F is only used in some leftover backwards countries).
Click to expand...
Seems to me WD screwed this one up.
Click to expand...

Of course they did in your little conspiracy riddled world.
 
Well, I tried HDtune as well as some other utilities (from Everest
on). None of them can show SMART data from this drive, so I guess only
"WD Diagnostics" is able to do this -- obviously it is using some
vendor-extension.
Maybe. It could make sense if the 0 dC reference was 125.
103 would make 22 dC
83 would make 42 dC
77 would make 48 dC
Click to expand...
I presume this is only an example? And to get more accurate info I
should probably obtain the "0 dC" reference somewhere (I'm getting the
feeling it's 200, but I may be wrong)?

As for WD support... crappy. :O They seem to not know much about the
stuff they sell.
 
Well, I tried HDtune as well as some other utilities (from Everest
on). None of them can show SMART data from this drive, so I guess only
"WD Diagnostics" is able to do this -- obviously it is using some
vendor-extension.
Click to expand...

Or maybe those arent valid values since the numbers make no sense.
 
Well, I tried HDtune as well as some other utilities (from Everest on).
None of them can show SMART data from this drive,
Click to expand...
so I guess only "WD Diagnostics" is able to do this
Click to expand...
-- obviously it is using some vendor-extension.
Click to expand...

Or just using a standard newer extension that no one else yet uses.
AFAICT the others use a standard S.M.A.R.T. extension driver that needs
an injection point in the USB driver (or any driver that services the device).
The WD app may just have it's own extension built in and tap in to the USB
driver directly without needing an entry point.
I presume this is only an example?
Click to expand...

No, I secretly borrowed your drive and stuck a temperature probe in there.
And to get more accurate info I should probably obtain the "0 dC" reference somewhere
Click to expand...

And hope there is some linear relationship, not some complicated formula.
(I'm getting the feeling it's 200, but I may be wrong)?
Click to expand...

If it has a teflon top on it for turbo frying an egg on and
your room temperature is usually 97 dC you might be right.
As for WD support... crappy. :O
Click to expand...
They seem to not know much about the stuff they sell.
Click to expand...

Or maybe they feel there isn't anything to tell.
 
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