Hi Matt,

You wrote to Charles Angelich on 08.01.03 about "ll format ?":

[hack to here]
MMC> There are both reserved sectors on each track, as well as
MMC> reserved tracks on each drive.  Most new drives with the
MMC> "S.M.A.R.T." (whatever that stands for) have the ability to
MMC> automatically mark out bad sectors and tracks, and when the
MMC> reserved "spares" are used up, the drive gives a warbling siren
MMC> warning sound.  When that finally happens, backup FAST,  then
MMC> replace the drive.

S.M.A.R.T. = Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology.

IIRC, it started generally appearing on HDDs somewhere during  
1997 - 1999 time.

The first HDD I had with it being reported was a Quantum Fireball  
5.1 Gig ("true" 4894.80 MB) which I picked up in May 1999.  Still  
no signs of its siren warble though ...... and it's had fairly  
heavy use on this machine since then. :)

TTFN,

Archie

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