Software to check hard drive's s/n

[Starrx05]

Is there any software to check s/n of a HD inside an enclosure. I can see model # in Windows but I want to see the s/n to check if warranty is valid for the drive alone. There's warrant for the whole enclosure but I don't want to open it yet. If anyone knows of one, plz let me know. Thanks.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Get something to view the SMART info. My RAID controller reads it from my hds, but speedfan or something of the like should be able to as well, since they read the SMART info for hd temps.

 

[bendixG15]

try PC wizard 2007

 

[etech]

Try the manufactures diagnostics.

I know the Maxtor diagnostics would tell you if the drive was still under warranty or not.

 

[Mark R]

If the drive is in a USB enclosure, then no.

USB does not support drive diagnostics/SMART.

Surely if the enclosure is under warranty, and you bought the whole thing as a single unit - then the drive would be covered under the same warranty.

 

[imported_bungee91]

Try SIW
http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html

I haven't used it in a while, but when I did it listed a LOT of information..
I don't know what is different between the free and paid version but the free had plenty of information.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Mark R
If the drive is in a USB enclosure, then no.

USB does not support drive diagnostics/SMART.

Surely if the enclosure is under warranty, and you bought the whole thing as a single unit - then the drive would be covered under the same warranty.

I've noticed that, and it disturbs me. Don't those USB-ATAPI converter chipsets, aren't they supposed to transparently convert all of those commands? Why don't they support the SMART commands that the drive supports.

It's always bugged me that you can't seem to get temp readings from an external drive, where I would think it would be most necessary.

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
I've noticed that, and it disturbs me. Don't those USB-ATAPI converter chipsets, aren't they supposed to transparently convert all of those commands? Why don't they support the SMART commands that the drive supports.

Those chipsets implement a protocol called 'USB mass storage specification'. This is a method for accessing a 'drive' over USB. Most BIOSs and OSs support USB MSS natively, which is how all these drives and flash sticks can work without drivers.

USB MSS is very much a general purpose protocol for transferring data between a PC and a generic storage device. It contains the bare minimum features. The role of the chipset is to translate the generic commands into the appropriate ATA commands.

The problem is that there is no real diagnostic support in USB MSS, other than some crude error reporting if a read or write fails. There is no USB MSS command that could be interpreted as a SMART request.

If a manufacturer really wanted SMART data to be accessible over USB - they'd have to design their own data transfer protocol, build custom firmware for the chipset and write their own USB drivers. And, with a proprietary solution, it's unlikely to be a popular method. IOW, it's too much effort for too little gain.