Need all purpose free hard disk diagnostic software recommendations

[certifiedtek]

Hi, I know i can download diag. from manufactures but does anyone recommend a program to check to see if drive is failing that doesnt take 3yrs to run. I need a program/s that run in dos and windows for my business. Customers dont like paying me to sit in front of pc forever need something better. Would appreciate replies. Need tools asap.


-Jeff

[TechPro]

I am not sure there is one program out there that will do what you require for free.

For HD Diags I like to use UBCD (http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/), it has all the manufactures diag software in one place and can be run off the CD.

I have heard that Geek Squad use the Drive Fitness Test (IBM/Hitachi) for tests on pretty much all makes of hard drives, I am not sure if this is true and if it works with other makes.

You may want to look at http://www.grc.com/spinrite.htm . Its a program called spinrite it costs, but I have heard good things about!

Hope that helps

:)

[Andy-Always]

Just in case someone else needs this!

The only disk testing software I use is SEATOOLS - it will test any make of disk and I have never known it to be wrong. Downloadable from the Seagate website or just googe seatools.
Can be run from a floppy, boot cd, usb stick (or even from their website if you have the hard drive that you want testing as a slave or usb to ide/sata)

Software is by Ontrack I think

Quick test in a couple of minutes or you can run a full test - the quick test usually finds the problem if there is one!

[tkrabec]

There was just a big to do from Google and a university about S.M.A.R.T. and Hard Drive failure. According to the studies the S.M.A.R.T. data did not totally correlate with hard drive failure. I would load familiarize my self with the S.M.A.R.T. specs, run a program that looks at the S.M.A.R.T. data that the drive says it has, and also recommend a good backup/image for your customers. Also use your instinct if you feel a machine is too slow for how it is supposed to be running then check to see if the data points that way. Also look in the Windows event log.

-- Tim Krabec

[Business IT]

Sorry I haven't named one specific piece of software, but a good place to look for free software on the internet is at Download.com it's part of Cnet.

You'll find a large selection of software programs mainly shareware and freeware. Those that you do have to pay for are normally relatively inexpensive and come with a free evaluation period. Before you download the software you can read a full description and the reviews made about the quality of the software.

[greggh]

If we are just throwing out website names, and he wants tech tools, the only place to go is http://www.majorgeeks.com

[tkrabec]

SIW fro gtopala.com has a category on storage, which displays the S.M.A.R.T. Data from he HD, while recent studies show that it is not a total indicator if the drive will fail or not you can get a decent feeling for the health and wellbeing of the drive.

[Mac]

If we are just throwing out website names, and he wants tech tools, the only place to go is http://www.majorgeeks.com

lol

sourceforge.net is where its @ :D

I use drive fitness test