Help

Start a discussion
UNSOLVED

y2kool

updated

21 years ago

Y

y2kool

6 Posts

0

19118

February 5th, 2006 13:00

Dimension 8100 how to disable smart in bios

Hi I've read somewhere that there's an option in the bios to disable the smart on my hard drive. I've been there and cannot find the option. I have a Dimension 8100, windows xp w/xp2 bios.

My main problem is receiving the notorious drive error message when I boot up "Warning: Dell's Disk Monitoring System has detected that drive 0 (zero) on the primary EIDE controller is operating outside normal specifications. It is advisable that you immediately back up your data and replace you hard drive by calling you support desk or Dell Computer corporation." That message has been displaying for almost 3 years! I have a 40GB Maxtor drive. I don't believe there's anything wrong with my hd since its been 3 years and i've done my normal backups just in case.

If I can disable the smart on that hard drive, then hopefully i can finally get rid of the message.

Thanks in advance for the help!
  • M

    Majestic

    2 Intern

    •

    9371 Posts

    529

    0

    Posted February 5th, 2006 13:00

    The Dell BIOS for the 8100 lacks any option to turn off SMART messaging.  As far as disabling it on the hard drive, there isn't a way that I am aware of.
  • Y

    y2kool

    6 Posts

    529

    0

    Posted February 5th, 2006 16:00

    Hmm.. Thats not too good.

    What about changing the registry? Is there like a flag there where I can set to disable smart?
  • M

    Majestic

    2 Intern

    •

    9371 Posts

    529

    0

    Posted February 6th, 2006 12:00

    From what you described you're getting those SMART errors as the system is booting up.  If that's true then making a registry change would have no effect since the error message is occuring when the BIOS is loading and not the operating system.   Registry tweaks only help after Windows starts to load.
  • Y

    y2kool

    6 Posts

    529

    0

    Posted February 7th, 2006 00:00

    Guess I'm stuck with the message until I replace my hd. I do have a 200gb slave drive. If I replace the master and reinstall windows and everything, will it affect the data i have on the slave drive?

    Thanks for all your help Majestic!!
  • M

    Majestic

    2 Intern

    •

    9371 Posts

    529

    0

    Posted February 7th, 2006 11:00

    Your welcome. Glad to help.
     
    If there are any software applications on the Slave drive then you will have to re-install them when Windows is installed.  If the Slave drive only contains data files like Mp3, Word docs, etc, then they will be unaffected by the installation of the operating system on a new Master drive.
  • Y

    y2kool

    6 Posts

    529

    0

    Posted February 19th, 2006 12:00

    Hi, one last question.

    If I take the hd and install it in a Dell optiplex GX240 reimaged and all, would I be able to disable smart and use it on that machine?

    TIA!
  • M

    Majestic

    2 Intern

    •

    9371 Posts

    529

    0

    Posted February 20th, 2006 11:00

    If the Optiplex GX240 has the option to disable SMART messaging then I don't see why it wouldn't work.   In reviewing the on-line manual for the GX240 I don't see that BIOS option available though. 

Dell Support Resources

Latest Solutions

View More