How often do you verify?

[JoeThePhotographer]

I use Syncback to backup my archive initially.

Is there a need to re-verify the archive on a regular basis?

Joe

[danaltick]

Joe,

Yes.  Hard drives degrade, and sectors and blocks can go bad.  It's the whole purpose behind incorporating the validation hash into the new DNG 1.2 specification.  Once third party catalog managers support this hash, it will make the process much less painful.  For now ImageVerifier is probably your best bet, and will continue to be for your derivatives.  BTW, it's a good idea to validate your DVD/Blu-ray discs periodically as well.

Dan

[peterkrogh]

Joe,
There are several levels of validation, as described in the book - basic drive function, volume structure, media, and completeness and finally the files themselves. The easy stuff, like basic drive function, should be done at least every si months.  That's how I caught the impending failure of my Original_02 drive last week.

Peter

[JoeThePhotographer]

Thanks, I have not delved deeply into the new book yet.  I bought the entry level Western Digital external drive which did not come with SMART software.

Joe

[peterkrogh]

Joe,
If it's Firewire or USB, no SMART data is passed through.
If it's also got eSATA, then SMART data might be accessible, but will be dependent on how the eSATA connection is made, and whether the eSATA connection passes SMART data through.
Peter

[JoeThePhotographer]

It is USB.  Does that mean there is no way to keep tabs on whether USB and Firewire drives are malfunctioning?

Joe

[peterkrogh]

Joe,
It means that you can't access the SMART data, without cracking the case and connecting the drive to your logic board.
You can get some other information with volume/directory checking, surface scans, MD5 checksums, and more, but the simplest, most reliable indicator of the health of the drive will be inaccessible to you.
Peter