HP SMART Test failure - Trust Repair?

[gregrocker]

Roommate's Dad's HP Slimline desktop won't start past BIOS splash screen. Booted into onboard diagnostics for full test which reports SMART test failed Error Code 303. Google says imminent drive failure.

I have Hitachi Hard drive fitness test which is quite good and plan to run it on the drive when it arrives tonight. But even if it repairs HD enough to start, can drive be trusted?

Often reading SMART with Crystal Disk Info will show warnings that never lead to failure but since the drive won't boot it doesn't seem wise to try to repair it any more than what it takes to get data off. What are your opinions on this?

This is a 1TB Hitachi HD which he doesn't use more than 25 gb, so I plan to pick up an SSD if price is comparable for replacement. Any suggestions?

 

[jc836]

An SSD at 128 would be a sensible solution based on what you are saying. OS and programs may well use 50% of that. Files should not take more than 20 except for sound and pictures.
Age of the Hitachi and hours of run time are important factors here-so saving data is critical in the end. As you have written-it would be best to do a "clean install" on a new drive.
Just my 2 pennys worth