Question Does having a SMART event prevent initialization of a disk?

joe360

Senior member
Oct 3, 2004
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I inherited a WD Red 6TB drive that is not initialized. When trying to initialize using Disk Management, I get a cyclic redundancy check error. Ran the WD Data LifeGuard Diagnositc test and the following SMART event log is shown:
1604632448700.png

Would this be the potential cause of why I can't initialize the disk? In my very limited knowledge, I'm also a bit worried about the reallocated sector count.

I'm running the extended test now, but at this rate, it looks like I have 750 hours left....
 

Shmee

Memory & Storage, Graphics Cards Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 13, 2008
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Yes, if you have that many bad sectors, you should RMA it.
 

joe360

Senior member
Oct 3, 2004
211
2
81
Is there a good/reliable reference on how to interpret these reports?

Good ol' Google has been giving me wildly different opinions.....
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
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1,440
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No, the smart flag can be set and the drive is still accessible, but certain errors that cause the smart to be set can make it inaccessible.

I'd just consider it dead and move on, unless under warranty still.