Can this hard disk still be used?

lucmove · 12-28-2022, 02:43 AM

Please see screenshot:

https://0x0.st/o5Fl.png

I didn't do it. It got itself in that state, I don't remember how.

pan64 · 12-28-2022, 03:01 AM

why not? It looks like an incorrect partition table, you can try to fix it or create a new one.

beachboy2 · 12-28-2022, 03:07 AM

You could try formatting it with GParted to create new partitions, then install a distro.

Install gsmartcontrol and then run an extended SMART test to test its health.

lucmove · 12-28-2022, 05:51 AM

I tried to delete all the partitions with cfdisk and it said, "Failed to write disklabel."

Then I tried Gparted and it did the job after telling me this:

https://0x0.st/o5CU.png

Then it worked, I had 596GB, but then i tried to create an encrypted partition and LUKS did not do the job:

https://0x0.st/o5C0.png

So I made an unencrypted partition and tried to copy stuff into it, but I can only write about 500MB too it:

Code:

rsync: [generator] write error: Broken pipe (32)

Looks like it's dead. :-(

Arnulf · 12-28-2022, 06:28 AM

A drive capacity of about 600 GB looks unusual. Typical capacities in this range are 500 GB, 1000 GB and less common 750 GB. Please give drive model.

Check your device:

Unplug all other SSDs/HDDs from the system. The problematic device will become /dev/sda
Start a live Linux, e.g. Knoppix or grml without GUI (Knoppix command line for start without GUI: knoppix64 2 noswap)
Run on console: smartctl -s on /dev/sda
Run on console: smartctl -a /dev/sda    # and save its output (e.g. to USB thumb drive or take a screenshot with your camera)
Run on console: badblocks -wsv /dev/sda    # This do a read-write test and wipes all data incl. broken partition tables on /dev/sda.
If badblocks throws errors dispose of this HDD. Otherwise …
Run on console: smartctl -a /dev/sda    # and save its output (e.g. to USB thumb drive or take a screenshot with your camera)
Post both outputs of smartctl and result of badblocks.

lvm_ · 12-28-2022, 07:48 AM

Is it by any chance one of those unbelievably cheap SSDs they sell on aliexpress? Looks very much like the one.

pan64 · 12-28-2022, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucmove

I tried to delete all the partitions with cfdisk and it said, "Failed to write disklabel."

Then I tried Gparted and it did the job after telling me this:

https://0x0.st/o5CU.png

Then it worked, I had 596GB, but then i tried to create an encrypted partition and LUKS did not do the job:

https://0x0.st/o5C0.png

So I made an unencrypted partition and tried to copy stuff into it, but I can only write about 500MB too it:

Code:

rsync: [generator] write error: Broken pipe (32)

Looks like it's dead. :-(

You need to understand those messages: you tried to create an encrypted drive on /dev/sdc1, which is too small. That means you need to select another partition (or repartition the disk). The rsync error again [probably] nothing more, just a disk full, but without details hard to say anything.
Probably your disk is dead (it is not impossible), but all the problems/errors you posted caused by incorrect usage or parameters, not by the hardware itself.

lucmove · 12-28-2022, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnulf

A drive capacity of about 600 GB looks unusual. Typical capacities in this range are 500 GB, 1000 GB and less common 750 GB. Please give drive model.

It's a notebook HD. It was advertised as 640GB if my memory serves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvm_

Is it by any chance one of those unbelievably cheap SSDs they sell on aliexpress? Looks very much like the one.

No, spinning platters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

You need to understand those messages: you tried to create an encrypted drive on /dev/sdc1, which is too small. That means you need to select another partition (or repartition the disk). The rsync error again [probably] nothing more, just a disk full, but without details hard to say anything.
Probably your disk is dead (it is not impossible), but all the problems/errors you posted caused by incorrect usage or parameters, not by the hardware itself.

596GB is too small?
I deleted those tiny bogus partitions shown in the screenshot and made only one 596GB partition.
The disk is not full. I just reformatted it. It is very empty.

linuxdaddy · 01-05-2023, 07:43 PM

Hi lucmove,

It looks like a GPT/UEFI partition table, cfdisk won't deal with these. I would use Gparted and delete the partions, then create new
ones.

On the Gparted menu, create a new partition table.

lucmove · 01-06-2023, 02:22 AM

Thanks, but the HD is bad. I managed to reformat it, but could only write about half a GB to it. It then becomes unusably slow and will fail on every attempt. It must be damaged.

pan64 · 01-06-2023, 02:31 AM

/dev/sdc1, /dev/sdc2 are partitions, not the full disk. In your original post you have a picture attached, and based on that you have no usable partitions.
I don't know what did you try and how did you try, but using that /dev/sdc1 is pointless. You need to format your drive before usage properly. Did you make that already?
Also did you run the mentioned smartctl tool?

Would be nice to show us the real partition table (if you have reformatted).