Re: [SLE] Preventing fs errors -with the e2fsck command? and SMART, e2fsck confusion

From: Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) (hylton_at_global.co.za)
Date: 01/13/05

  • Next message: Roger: "Re: [SLE] Mouse problems in 9.2"
    Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 15:14:11 +0200
    To: SLE <suse-linux-e@suse.com>
    
    

    Carlos E. R. wrote:
    > The Monday 2005-01-10 at 07:49 +0200, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
    >
    [snip]

    >>
    >>My understanding is that although SMART will check the physical disk,
    >>e2fsck will check that the data is able to be written to the physical
    >>hdd, and of course according to the fs. So therefore eventhough I have
    >>SMART enabled, there might still be a case where data cannot be written
    >>to the hdd, resulting in a failed fsck on that partition on bootup.
    >
    >
    > fsck tests the partition logically, not physically. It can also run a
    > badblock check (in some filetypes), but is certainly not as complete in
    > that respect as smart.
    Just to clarify, would a bad block be a physical defect or a logic error
    ie the fs thinks the physical media is bad but it isn't?
    Does SMART technology take care of looking after the physical state of
    the disk, bad blocks included?
    IF SMART doesn't check for bad blocks, then in theory fsck should check
    for bad blocks as logic would say writing data to those bad blocks will
    result in data loss? Bad block checking can be implemented on a ext3 fs
    with e2fsck but I wonder why the bootup fsck doesn't do a bad blocks check?

    mmmm, Running the following: man fsck.ext3 brings up the e2fsck man page

    >>I would like to run the e2fsck command to prevent the failure of
    >>partition checking by fsck on bootup as reding the man page on fsck it
    >>does not seem up to working on a ext3 fs.
    >
    > Then just force a check during boot, by creating the file "/forcefsck". An
    > ext3 partition will be checked to the needed level, not more. Doing a
    > badblock check everytime is an overkill, and will not really protect your
    > data.
    That '/forcefsck' option is a little strong but see the next paragraph
    for my suggestion. Why have the 'bad block' option and why will it not
    protect my data? Surely it will make sure that data is not lost because
    the block has been marked as bad and therefore the data will be written
    to a good block?

    > For a somewhat more complete check, boot from the rescue CD and test from
    > there.
    I was thinking more along the lines of possibly aliasing the boot fsck
    to e2fsck and having it run e2fsck each time the fsck is supposed to run
    on a partition set with the tune2fs cmd ie every 3rd mount or 15 days etc.

    -- 
    The bad block Little Helper
    ========================================================================
    Hylton Conacher - Linux user # 229959 at http://counter.li.org
    Currently using SuSE 9.0 Professional with KDE 3.1
    Licenced Windows user
    ========================================================================
    -- 
    Check the headers for your unsubscription address
    For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com
    Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com
    Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com
    

  • Next message: Roger: "Re: [SLE] Mouse problems in 9.2"

    Relevant Pages

    • Re: [SLE] Preventing fs errors with the e2fsck command?
      ... > OK SMART enabled but I am still wondering about e2fsck. ... resulting in a failed fsck on that partition on bootup. ... Then just force a check during boot, ...
      (SuSE)
    • Re: [SLE] Preventing fs errors with the e2fsck command?
      ... > can be configured as a daemon and test your drives fully at specified ... OK SMART enabled but I am still wondering about e2fsck. ... resulting in a failed fsck on that partition on bootup. ...
      (SuSE)
    • Re: [SLE] fsck!!!
      ... >> that is needed during the manual fsck part. ... >> You need to boot the rescue system, from the CD or DVD, not from the HD. ... > ACPI disabled, Install - Safe settings, Manual install, Rescue System, ... You need to have somethings printed before hand: the partition table, ...
      (SuSE)
    • Re: [SLE] Booting Problem
      ... Please repair manually and reboot. ... except rebooting during the installation. ... > 'fsck failed' again. ... that normally it is NOT a problem with a partition gone bad. ...
      (SuSE)
    • Re: [SLE] Preventing fs errors -with the e2fsck command? and SMART, e2fsck confusion
      ... smart if fsck and smart are enabled. ... If smartctl is enabled and run on the HDD, ... manually ie e2fsck with -c /dev/hdx to check for bad blocks. ...
      (SuSE)