Toshiba has developed a technology to predict hard disk drive problems based on statistical analysis of parameters related to the operation of already troubled HDDs.

The new technology will allow users back up data before an HDD crashes.

For the development of the new technology Toshiba utilized HDD operation data collected from 1.66 million notebook computers that had been using the company's "PC Health Monitor" software and also data gathered from troubled HDDs that had been accumulated at the company's repair centers. Toshiba "PC Health Monitor" collects operation data of HDDs, with the consent of users.

The technology will be part of the Toshiba Smart Client Manager tool for notebooks, Japanese web site Tech-On reported.