APD Toronto
asked on
Windows 7 disc
Hello Experts,
I am suspecting that my hard drive is going bad and I am wondering what diagnostic tools can I use to check?
I think defrag and disc cleanup are not it? I was thinking more of a chkdsk?and I was hoping to write the results to a file.
Thank you
I am suspecting that my hard drive is going bad and I am wondering what diagnostic tools can I use to check?
I think defrag and disc cleanup are not it? I was thinking more of a chkdsk?and I was hoping to write the results to a file.
Thank you
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Don't run chkdsk before running the manufacturer's diagnostic. If you do, and the disk is bad, you can worsen things.
ASKER
The only way how I remembered about chk was because it ran automatically when my system crashed.
ASKER
Looks like it's all good. Did you look into the event viewer to see what the Chkdsk fixed.
Chkdsk really only checks for file system issues and, if /r is specified, bad sectors. There could be other issues with the disk that, if enabled, SMART can tell you. Otherwise, the manufacturer diagnostics are the next best thing to use. Lastly, you could try the disk diagnostics available on the Ultimate Boot CD (www.ultimatebootcd.com).
Of course, I didn't catch if anyone asked - WHY do you think your hard drive is going bad... what are your symptoms?
Of course, I didn't catch if anyone asked - WHY do you think your hard drive is going bad... what are your symptoms?
ASKER
Well, when I was working, suddenly it froze, and chkdsk came on automatically as the pix above
ASKER
How do I use SMART to check?
Recently it kept freezing, so I did a factory reformat, and the chk came up when I was installing my printer
Recently it kept freezing, so I did a factory reformat, and the chk came up when I was installing my printer
Just run the manufacturer's diagnostic on it as I told you earlier. It also checks the SMART state of the disk, but besides SMART it does also does better tests.
How do I use SMART to check?
I posted earlier - use a program that can read SMART data like HD Tune. When you run HDTune it should be pretty obvious.
If this is a Dell, SMART is TYPICALLY not enabled so you have to go into BIOS and enable it. Not sure about HP or other brands.
And it's true, manufacturer diagnostic disks will look at SMART too... but HDTune is a tiny program that installs in and can be run from Windows - IF the drive is failing a SMART test (I believe SMART = Self Monitoring and Reporting Tests) that's the quickest way to know rather than to download an ISO, burn the image and boot to it. Just my preference.
Given what you describe, I would say your concern is warranted - it MAY be fine, but the symptoms after a reload would be concerning... (COULD also be bad RAM).
While testing is an option, another is to simply replace the drive. a 1 TB drive is about $60 and considering the amount of time you put into this, $60 may be a bargain.
ASKER
Also, which ultimateCD Version do I get?
For the time-being, I'd like to run it off of a USB, if easily possible?
For the time-being, I'd like to run it off of a USB, if easily possible?
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ASKER
I downloaded HD Tune Pro, but which test do I run?
ASKER
Under Health, both drives show Airflow Temperature failed, and my C drive shows failure End to End error detection.
ASKER
Also if I go under tools >error checking it can only do it at boot! but how can I get a report of that?