S.M.A.R.T. status bad backup and replace error workaround?

[bakaris]

Hi,

after being infected with a bunch of spyware after inadvertently running this program (I really should have known better), my hard drive began receiving a S.M.A.R.T. error on bootup: 'S.M.A.R.T. status bad backup and replace'

It then says, press F1 (or was it F4...) to continue. however, after pressing the required key, nothing happens. Also, frustratingly, I get the error before I can access the bios to disable the S.M.A.R.T. check so that I can get into the OS and back up my data.

Any ideas on how to disable to S.M.A.R.T. checking on the hard disk so that I could get into the bios? The default setting is 'auto' (which is on).

system specs (and yes, I do realize I should upgrade a few, if not all components ):
Mainboard: ASROCK 939Dual-Sata2
CPU: Athlon 3000+ X2
Ram: 1GB OCZ PC3200 (2 x 512)
OS: WinXP SP2
Pci slots: Audigy oem (Soundcard), TValue Radio (TV/Radio tuner), Silicon Image PCI to 2 Port IDE/PATA.
Videocard: Geforce 6200
Power supply: Antec 400W

Thank you kindly for any help provided.

 

[henryay]

Pull the hard drive out.

 

[bakaris]

I want to get the data from the disk. But yeah, I can install the OS onto another hard drive and go on my merry way. Which I've actually done. But I still want the data. When I plug in the corrupted drive I can't get anywhere to access it.

 

[ForumMaster]

no. what henryay meant is to pull the drive out so you can disable S.M.A.R.T. the computer will boot and let you access the BIOS without a HDD. another idea might be to put into an enclosure so that you can connect it after the computer has booted.

 

[bakaris]

I'll check that when I get home, but if i remember correctly I think my bios has a per drive SMART setting, which I can only access for said drive when they're plugged in. I sort of hope it's not actually that simple, because then I'll feel like a bit of an idiot. But fingers crossed (for it working) anyhow.

I don't have a drive enclosure, but it's nice to know that I can do that with them. Never knew that they could be connected after computer's had been booted. Maybe I'll get one. Could prove useful.

 

[Rubycon]

Try this.

 

[Nocturnal]

If you have another computer + and enclosure you could always extract the data that way.

 

[bakaris]

Originally posted by: bakaris
I sort of hope it's not actually that simple, because then I'll feel like a bit of an idiot. But fingers crossed (for it working) anyhow.

Yeah, that worked, more or less. Thanks.
I disconnected the hard drive and then I was able to get into BIOS to disable the primary master SMART setting. I reattached the faulty drive, restarted the computer, and it beeped about ten times; I cursed about twenty. I then turned her off, and cleared the CMOS. Booted into windows on another hard drive I had set up with the OS. downloaded the latest bios, flashed it. reattached faulty drive, went into bios, the SMART setting was already set as disabled, configured the time, boot order, and other particularities, and then I was finally able to boot into windows to copy my data over. hurrah.