check Hard Disk for hardware errors

['chris']

hi

Howto check Hard Disk for hardware errors without damaging installed OS?

[wobbe · Accepted solution]

http://sourceforge.net/projects/smartmontools
http://www.grc.com/spinrite.htm

Or try a linux live cdrom (parted magic is nice). Most of them have tools to check the s.m.a.r.t. counters.
You could use the command dd to try and read all hd sectors.

[P Muralidhar Kini]

Hi Chris,

You can use the CHKDSK that comes with Windows -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
http://www.pctechguide.com/tutorials/HDDMaint_Chkdsk.htm

Or you can use some tools that check the disk health
http://www.drivehealth.com/
http://www.ariolic.com/activesmart/index.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/tulloch_pc_health.mspx

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Murali

[Michal Kapalka (mikap)]

hi Chris,

in this case you could use the SMART functionality on the HDD :

"Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T.

mikap