On 16/11/2012 09:25, Andy Burns wrote:

Now it is. But way-back-when drives used to come with a printed defect
list you were expected to enter into your O/S, or you could leave the
O/S running a "comprehensive surface analysis" for a few days before
before making use of the drive.

I used to write that software. The flaws are often pattern sensitive,
and very hard to spot reliably.

I also wrote the stuff that copied the manufacturers flaw list

I'm glad those days have gone.

Andy