Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I got the same issue.
I tried "DirectIo Test" and it can read the SMART attributes using "Unsafe" or"USB", I was able to check the "DirectIO: Unsafe" checkbox on the Advance Settings window (Scanner 2.5.1.3062 - Latest Stable), I restarted the server and still cannot read the SMART attributes.
This is the drive info - screenshot: http://screencast.com/t/e7Q31Ab1B5d
Controller ID: USB\VID_0BC2&PID_AB31&REV_0342,USB\VID_0BC2&PID_AB31
Ideas?
Thank you.