Get a graphical interface to smartctl, part of Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology. Get device overview, including temperature, last test result, overall health, and bad sectors. View an optional icon into the tray area for each fixed device. Export smartctl output into a specified folder, monitor virtual devices loaded from a shared smartctl output, perform self-test and view their results.
S.M.A.R.T. stands for Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology. This is a monitoring system designed for hard drives and is meant to warn the user when hard disk failure is imminent. Most modern hard disks incorporate this technology and continuously update statistical data internally. To be able to see and use this information, you can use software like HDD Guardian.
This program offers a complete set of tools to help you use S.M.A.R.T. data. Besides live monitoring of that data, it offers advanced information about your disks. It can also run tests for more accurate reports and enable or disable certain features on your devices.
The application’s interface is attractive and easy to use. However, understanding the reported data requires some experience and knowledge. There are no tips or offline help files that explain how to interpret the information. However, online help is available on the developer’s site but it’s centered around the application itself so if you want to learn how to interpret data, you will have to research it yourself.
In conclusion, this is a well-made S.M.A.R.T. data analysis tool, intended for more advanced users.
v0.2 [Nov 22, 2011]
New features:
- full renewed GUI, with a single window interface;
- package now include smartctl 5.42;
- full support for smartctl reports generated with '-f brief' option;
- full support for smartctl reports from version 5.22 to version 5.42;
- settings autosave;
- HDD Guardian behaviour is based upon the device type where is stored;
- local devices tray icons are now available (only if HDD Guardian is installed into a fixed device);
- HDD Guardian tray icon change the shield color if a device is failing;
- now is possible to minimize HDD Guardian into the tray area instead to close;
- automatic translation selection (if translation files can't exists, it switch to english);
- summary panel, with an overview of disk temperature, health, bad sectors, last test result and eventual warnings;
- devices are now separated in two categories: physical and virtual;
- added several informations about device attributes, tests and settings;
- added Sandforce, OWC, Kingston, Corsair and AData banners;
- added Suse, Redhat, Mandriva and Slackware icons;
- changed Windows icon;
- installed .NET Framework is visible under "About" section;
Removed:
- icons themes;
- Health Center window: "Events Log" are now into the "Main" section, "Devices Health" is merged with devices list;
- Database window: this informations are now available under "Smartctl" section;
- Report viewer window: output are now available under "Smartctl" section;
- Settings window: settings are now available under "Settings" section;
Bugfix:
- Asus/Phison and Transcend banners flag;
- sometimes can't show disk size;
- under non administrative user can't create subfolders on "Program Files" folder: now setting files are stored under user folder;
- program can't start if a WD external HDD is connected: local fixed devices are now listed by smartctl;
- program crash when a device don't display a valid numeric temperature.
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