Seagate, reallocated sectors count and SMART data

[tv1mdb]

Got myself a new Seagate drive (ST4000DM005) and run on it all the tests from SeaTools as soon as installed.
At the end of the longer test overnight smart was showing a value of 928 (0000000003A0) for "Reallocated Sectors Count", but it passed the SeaTools test.
I contact Seagate's support to get more info and ask if this is a normal behavior and in the first email they simply state how 928 is "not a very high number"(quote).
On my request of more clarification the asked me to provide the smart data (98|98|10|928 // Cur.|Wor.|Thr.|Raw) and in the following email simply state how smart data is read differently on third party programs and should rely on SeaTools to read the smart data, but "the SeaTools does not give these raw values so we will not be able to identify the exact number of reallocated sectors. Appreciate your understanding in this case."(quote).

At this point is clear it's a waste of time to ask the support for a real reply, does anybody here know if the smart data for the Reallocated Sectors Count is accurate or is some weird proprietary value like read & seek errors?

 

[RealBeast]

What do the other SMART values say, like pending sector count?

HERE is the best information available on the meaning of specific (and groups of) SMART values.

Also, I would run PASSMARK to see actual values after that cryptic and bogus response from support where they didn't ask any other details. Passmark is free for home users.

Note that "some" reallocated sectors are okay but the number should be stable and not rising along with pending sectors and a few others.

 

[tv1mdb]

What do the other SMART values say, like pending sector count?

Everything else is at it should, with zeroes everywhere mission critical and the proprietary values for read & seek rates.

CrystalDiskInfo

PassMark

In three days the number of reallocated sectors has not increased.
I'm currently running a StableBit sectors scan, but It will take ages to complete (~20% after ~8 hrs).

Luckily this drive is a backup for my backup, so loss of data is not a concern for now, i just want to know what is the condition of my disk, and if I should return it to the seller, but the support replies almost make it sound like I'm asking the CIA the truth about aliens...

 

[RealBeast]

I think that the drive is fine. A stable number of sectors for reallocated with no other SMART values indicating a problem would not concern me.

Just check it occasionally, and as you note multiple backup is key for everyone.