Topics Map > OS and Desktop Applications > Operating Systems > Windows

1. Hdd Diagnostic Tools
2. Hdd Diag

This document explains how to use Check Disk and Disk Defragmenter in Windows.

Frequent system crashes and freezes, or noticeable decreases in system performance can often be attributed to a poorly maintained hard-disk.

This will be especially relevant to FAT32-formatted drives, though NTFS-formatted drives can also benefit from these procedures. Scandisk and Disk Defragmenter are two hard-drive maintenance tools included on Windows operating systems to help provide optimal disk performance.

Check Disk

1. HDDScan is a freeware software for hard drive diagnostics (RAID arrays servers, Flash USB and SSD drives are also supported). The program can test storage device for errors (Bad-blocks and bad sectors), show S.M.A.R.T. Attributes and change some HDD parameters such as AAM, APM, etc. DOWNLOAD - Version 4.1.
2. For this reason, ensuring your hard drive stays healthy is crucial. (Anyone get the dull hard drive-related pun?) There are various ways to check on your hard drive health – from built-in methods in Windows to your HDD manufacturer’s diagnostic tools, and we talk you through the best methods.
3. Canvio® Flex; Canvio® Gaming; Canvio® Advance; Canvio® Slim; Canvio® Ready; Canvio® Basics; Canvio® for Desktop; Internal HDD; Support; Where to Buy; Enterprise/Client HDD.

Hard Drive Diagnostics. WD Software & Mobile Apps. October 15, 2015, 1:34am #1. Where can I get a diagnostic program for WD HD’s? I have an old copy of Data Lifeguard Diagnostics, but it is over 10 tears old. I use SeaTools for my Seagate / Maxtor drives, but I have nothing for my WD drives.

• Check Disk is a utility that checks your hard-drive (or floppy drive) for problems. It will check for directory structure errors, file errors, etc.
• To start the Windows' version of Check Disk, open the disk from an Explorer Window (such as from the'Computer' icon on the desktop, or by typing Computer into your Win8 Metro screen) then right-click the drive and select Properties.
• You will now see a pie-chart of the drive's usage. Click on the Tools tab. In the 'Error-checking' section, click the Check Now button.
• There should be two options listed. One to automatically fix file system errors (which requires a restart if you are scanning your primary operating system drive) and another to scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. Select the options you want and hit start to begin the scan.

Additional Check Disk Notes

• If you are attempting to scan the primary operating system drive (the C drive for example) with the 'Automatically fix file system errors' option enabled, Windows will automatically schedule a disk check on the next reboot before Windows loads.

Disk Defragmenter

• If you are experiencing slow system performance this may be due to your hard-drive files being fragmented. This will occur over time as files are deleted, added, and rearranged. Disk Defragmenter will rearrange the files and free space so that your computer can access the files more efficiently.
• To run Disk Defragmenter, perform the same steps as shown above and open the disk from an Explorer Window (such as from the My Computer or 'Computer' icon on the desktop) then right-click the drive and select Properties.
• Click on the Tools tab. In the 'Defragmentation' section, click the Defragment Now button.

Additional Disk Defragmenter Notes

• Disk Defragmenter does not need to be run that often. Usually, once every 2-3 months should be enough unless your computer has above-average use. Vista by default schedules automatic defrags so running manual defrag scans should not be necessary unless the automatic scan was disabled by the user.

Capabilities and Requirements:

Supported storage devices:

• IDE (ATA) and SATA HDD.
• SCSI (SAS) HDD.
• External USB drives and all major USB boxes (see Appendix A).
• FireWire or IEEE 1394 HDD (see Appendix A).
• RAID volumes made of ATA (IDE) / SATA / SCSI HDDs (surface tests only).
• USB Flash (pen drives) – surface tests only.
• SATA / ATA SSD – solid state drives.

Storage device tests:

• Verification in linear mode – fastest way to determine if your drive needs data rescue, has recoverable errors or in its perfect shape.
• Reading in linear mode – same as verification but also transfers data to the host.
• Erasing in linear mode.
• Reading in Butterfly mode (synthetic random read).

S.M.A.R.T.:

Hdd Diagnostic Tools

• Reading and analyzing SMART parameters from ATA/SATA/USB/FireWire HDD.
• Reading and analyzing Log Pages from SCSI HDD.
• SMART tests running on ATA/SATA/USB/FireWire HDD.
• Temperature monitor for ATA/SATA/USB/FireWire/SCSI HDD.

Additional features:

• Reading and analyzing identity information from ATA/SATA/USB/FireWire/SCSI HDD.
• Changing AAM, APM, PM parameters on ATA/SATA/USB/FireWire HDD.
• Reporting defect information on SCSI HDD.
• Spindle start/stop function on ATA/SATA/USB/FireWire/SCSI HDD.
• Reports can be saved in MHT format.
• Reports can be printed.
• Command line support.
• SSD SMART and Identity reports.

Requirements:

Hdd Diag

• Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003 (with restrictions), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
• The program should not be run from a read-only device/media.