What is this error log = hda: irq timeout: error=0x00 and how to solve?

Shell Programming and Scripting
1

what is this error log = hda: irq timeout: error=0x00 and how to solve?

every day upon checking the logs i see this error.


hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hw_client[8445]: segfault at 0000000000000046 rip 00000000006e9df9 rsp 00000000ffffce94 error 4
hw_client[8657]: segfault at 0000000000000046 rip 00000000006e9df9 rsp 00000000ffffce94 error 4
hw_client[8842]: segfault at 0000000000000046 rip 00000000006e9df9 rsp 00000000ffffce54 error 4
hw_client[9161]: segfault at 0000000000000046 rip 00000000006e9df9 rsp 00000000ffffcea4 error 4
hw_client[9322]: segfault at 0000000000000046 rip 00000000006e9df9 rsp 00000000ffffce94 error 4
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
hda: irq timeout: error=0x00
2

The message means that you are getting hardware errors. The bad hardware could be a CD, a CD drive, a cable, or an IDE controller. If you get a lot of these errors then it is likely that some piece of your hardware is about to fail permanently.

3

Thank you Kristinu, is there a way to pin point which hardware has a problem

4

Another possibility is a very old and slow disc or a dirty or slightly corroded connector. Since
it is easy, cheap, and quick to try to fix up a possible connector problem, that's what I'd try first.

---------- Post updated at 12:12 PM ---------- Previous update was at 12:11 PM ----------

My first step would be to power down, and reseat the disc cables. I'd pull them back about 1/2
the way it would take to disengage the connectors, "rock" them back and forth a few times, then
reseat them fully back. I'd do the same with the power supply connectors to the discs. If you have
an older machine with a separate disc controller board, then I'd remove and reseat the controller
board to the motherboard connector, as well.

---------- Post updated at 12:15 PM ---------- Previous update was at 12:12 PM ----------

Otherwise I'd suggest you do a full backup with verification.

If the problem persists, then you can just continue to use it, knowing that it may fail at any moment,
but that you won't lose anything you can't easily reconstruct.

One thing about hard drives I can guarantee you: eventually all of them fail.

---------- Post updated at 12:19 PM ---------- Previous update was at 12:15 PM ----------

If you have a distro which can use SMART, and your disc is SMART capable, you can ask it.

smartctl -i /dev/hda

will tell you whether you have a SMART capable disc, and whether it be enabled. If your disc
is SMART capable, but it is not enabled, then enable it.

 smartctl --smart=on --offlineauto=on --saveauto=on /dev/hda

If so, then

  smartctl --health /dev/hda

will give you a pass/fail diagnostic message.

 smartctl -a /dev/hda

will give you more information about what may be wrong, if anything.