This appears to be a kernel problem. The command works in Precise and Quantal but not Raring. I tested this on Precise using the HWE stack [1].
$ sudo /usr/lib/nagios/plugins/check_ide_smart -n -d /dev/sda OK - Operational (7/7 tests passed) Output after changing to the Raring kernel: CRITICAL - SMART_ENABLE: Input/output error CRITICAL - SMART_CMD_ENABLE [1]: sudo apt-get install linux-image-generic-lts-quantal sudo apt-get install linux-image-generic-lts-raring ** Changed in: nagios-plugins (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => New -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1182247 Title: check_ide_smart fails with i/o error To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nagios-plugins/+bug/1182247/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs