Recommendations for Win-based HD checks.

[Xander]

I've been using live disks for checking drives. That's all well and good but it occupies that system entirely whilst doing it. I've got a bench machine and can either use spare SATA connections, my SATA-USB dock, or an IDE-USB dock.

I'd like to be able to run something along the lines of HDat2/HDDregenerator from within Windows.

Ideas? Recommendations?



For that matter, I'd also be interested in suggestions for your favourite general disk checker. Right now, I'm just using a batch file running chkdsk/hdtune/crystal.

 

[PaulRome]

I like using Victoria, it's on my Sardu stick (Hiren) don't think its compatible with 7.

 

[iisjman07]

From within Windows I use Seagate's SeaTools for Windows. For bootable, I use Seagate's SeaTools for DOS

 

[16k_zx81]

From within Windows I use Seagate's SeaTools for Windows. For bootable, I use Seagate's SeaTools for DOS

On all brands of hard drives?

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

yep looks like it:

"SeaTools for Windows is a comprehensive, easy-to-use diagnostic tool that helps you quickly determine the condition of the disc drive in your external hard drive, desktop or notebook computer. It includes several tests that will examine the physical media on your Seagate or Maxtor disc drive and any other non-Seagate disc drive."

handy to know

 

[MobileTechie]

If the tool reads every sector to test it is OK then it's doing the main job you want it for, whatever the manufacturer. For the other functions any generic SMART reader, e.g. CrystalDisk, will do.

Maybe the individual manufacturers tools really do have unique test functions specific to their own drives but I've not noticed it if they do.

 

[bitznpcz]

I use CrystalDisk for SMART tests then HDD Tune for speed tests. They are not always accurate and sometimes you have to use your gut instinct to say a drive is failing.

 

[Techlogon]

Within Windows:

HDTune and Western Digital (windlg.exe) - quick scans if onsite or full scans in shop.

At boot:

The manufacturer's own diagnostic utility - although admittedly I have never (yet) seen one find errors that a generic one did not also find!

 

[Encrypted Existence]

For that matter, I'd also be interested in suggestions for your favourite general disk checker. Right now, I'm just using a batch file running chkdsk/hdtune/crystal.

Along with some of the othe utilities already mentioned I use Drive Fitness Test.

 

[Vicenarian]

I just use HDTune

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[Steve202]

I normally use HDTune, I can't fault it.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Another for HDTune seems to do what I need.