# ---  
# ---  
# .   http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/smartmontools/wiki
# .   http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-find-out-if-harddisk-failing.html
# .   http://research.google.com/pubs/pub32774.html
# .   S.M.A.R.T Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology 

sudo apt-get install smartmontools 

/etc/init.d/smartmontools

/etc/smartd.conf
/etc/default/smartmotools
# ... --> /etc/default/smartmotools
# .

# Defaults for smartmontools initscript (/etc/init.d/smartmontools)
# This is a POSIX shell fragment

# List of devices you want to explicitly enable S.M.A.R.T. for
# Not needed (and not recommended) if the device is monitored by smartd
enable_smart="/dev/hda" # /dev/hdb"

# uncomment to start smartd on system startup
start_smartd=yes

# uncomment to pass additional options to smartd on startup
smartd_opts="--interval=1800"

# ..
# ... --> /etc/default/smartmotools
smartctl -a /dev/sda | grep VALUE -A 16
smartctl -l selftest /dev/sda
# ...

smartctl -i /dev/sdb
# --- To enable SMART, run:
smartctl -s on -d ata /dev/sdb
# --- Run overall-health self-assessment test, enter:
smartctl -d ata -H /dev/sdb
# The following will provide even more information about failing hard disk:
smartctl --attributes --log=selftest /dev/sda

# Extended self-test of drive
smartctl -d ata -t long /dev/sdb

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