Configuration: Advanced options
These options should be modified only by advanced, experienced users as these options may cause incorrect or inappropriate system operation.
Detection frequency: the time between two consecutive hard disk information detections (detecting S.M.A.R.T. information to display temperature, health, etc). By default, Hard Disk Sentinel detects such information once per every 5 minutes. Too many hard disks or slow devices may reduce the performance of the application and increase response times. This case it is recommended to drag the slider to right, but it is possible to detect more often. Note: very frequent detections (once per every 1 or 5 seconds) may reduce performance.
Condition calculation method: the user can select the method to calculate the health and the performance values for the hard disks. It is recommended to use the “Analyse data field” option or the more strict analysis option to improve data safety. The stict method is recommended on servers, notebooks or computers with high disk usage or extremely important information.
Enable warning if the hard disk is not responding: if the hard disk does not respond to the detections of Hard Disk Sentinel, a log entry is generated (which may lead to an alert if enabled). On the disk information page a yellow and then a red label will be displayed with the problem. The use of this option is not recommended in all cases, only when it is really neccessary (for example, under Windows 98/ME).
Disable automatic scandisk: by using this option, it is possible to disable the automatic disk check procedure which may start with Windows. This may prevent a damaged head to incorrectly access and damage the stable disk areas.
Delay before scandisk: if the automatic disk check is enabled, it is possible to control how much seconds the system should wait before starting this procedure. During this time, the user can cancel the disk check by pressing any key.
Synchronize computer clock with atomic clock: the clock of the computer will be synchronized to a remote time server by using the NTP (Network time protocol) to display the correct date and time. This is useful when determining the exact date and time of any alerts. The use of this option is recommended if the PROFESSIONAL version is installed and configured to start scheduled backup projects. Note: if the unregistered version is used, this option will be automatically disabled after the first time the clock has been synchronized.
Generate and update XML file: if enabled, the hard disk details are automatically exported into a special XML file which can be processed by other software. By default, HDSentinel.xml file is used but it can be changed if the Select button is pressed. The last XML file saved on previous day is saved as a backup copy with .BAK extension. Note: this function can be used only in the registered version.