Question Best software for fully testing HDD ?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
C

cloudff7ps1

Reputable
Sep 3, 2020
430
3
4,685
What best software for full test HDD (internal or external) search badblocks and errors?

and test if HDD it was modified altered firmware or SMART for someone?
 
I would start with any diagnostic tools provided by the HDD manufacturer.

However, that said, what specific issues are of concern?

If modified altered firmware is the concern then the issue would be, could be malware etc..

Likewise for SMART - is the concern that someone would be, or could be manipulating the drive's monitoring system?

More information needed.
 
To scan for bad blocks, you could use Victoria for Windows.

To dump the firmware of older WD models, you could use WDMarvel's demo version.

To dump the defect lists on older Seagate models, you could use a USB-TTL adaptor and PuTTY.
 
I have external HDD (HDD notebook + case) in USB 3.0, what best software search badblocks and errors in HDD?

i have HDDs HGST, WD, Seagate and Toshiba

Does any software detect if the firmware and SMART have been changed?
 
@cloudff7ps1

Western Digital has:

https://support-en.wd.com/app/answe...o-install-and-use-wd-drive-utilities-features

Seagate has:

https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/

= = = =

Likewise for other drive manufacturers.

Go directly to the applicable drive manufacturer's website to find and download the applicable tool.

Avoid downloads from other sites offering the tools.

Try the software/tools and determine if any given tool provides the required/desired information.

After that, for concerns about firmware etc. being changed then you are likely in "hash code territory" and will need to verify if changes have occurred.

For example:

https://kb.secomea.com/docs/verify-hash-info

However, you will need the applicable hash information and process for the code/product to be verified.
 
HGST and Toshiba apps?

There are many sellers on aliexpresss or shopee selling fake external HDD, inside the case there is no HDD but a microsd or USB flash drive, some show the brand name of the HDD on crystaldiskinfo but it is fake

Is there any software that reveals whether what is inside the case is an HDD or flash memory? without needing to open the case?
 
Is it possible for someone to modify the microSD or USB flash drive software to be read as smart by Crystal Disk Info?

I tried to download ChipGenius from the official website but message: You are not allowed to access this file!

Is there much difference in using common software to check the health of the external HDD if it has badblocks and errors or the software from Seagate or WD?
 
usbflashinfo is the same as ChipGenius?

When connecting the external HDD to the PC's USB and opening this software, how does it show whether it is a legitimate HDD or a flash?

Can any HDD badblock and error detection software be used for all brands of HDD or is it necessary to use software for each brand? is different?
 
You have asked two different questions.

First you asked if there is any way to find out if bad sectors have been hidden by special software, and if it is possible to detect this. This depends on the brand and model of hard drive.

Secondly you asked if it is possible to detect bad sectors that are present and visible to the OS. The answer is that Victoria is one such tool.
 
yes two questions,

1) if it was possible to find out if what is inside the case is an HDD or microSD or USB flash drive and you answered: ChipGenius or Flash Drive Information Extractor

2) External HDD from brands Seagate, WD, HGST, Toshiba test all of them with the best software to find badblocks and errors to find out if the HDD is good or not for archiving

Is software necessary for each brand of HDD or is there the best one for all brands?
 
External HDD from brands Seagate, WD, HGST, Toshiba test all of them with the best software to find badblocks and errors to find out if the HDD is good or not for archiving

Is software necessary for each brand of HDD or is there the best one for all brands?
 
cloudff7ps1 said:
Victoria x HDTune Pro x HDDScan x HardDisk Sentinel x other what is better for testing badblock and fails in HDD?
Click to expand...
All the testing software in the world won't help with a sudden or very near future drive fail.
And that DOES happen.

I had a 3TB drive go from seemingly perfect, to absolutely dead within 36 hours. It was only 5 weeks old.
Would you be running these tests every single day?

The best way to ward off "drive fail" is:

Good backup routine
Use it until it dies
Warranty replacement
 
cloudff7ps1 said:
So HDD for archiving is one of the worst media because it fails quickly and suddenly? Is SSD and usb flash drive and microsd much better?
Click to expand...
No, thats not what I said or meant.

A drive in use can die at any moment. All the "testing" in the world will not prevent that.

Do your best to prepare for the day when it does die.
Tomorrow, next week, next year....


A drive sitting on the shelf for years is like Schrodinger's Cat.
It can be either dead or alive. But you have no idea, until you power it up.
And if it is "dead at that point, it is too late.
 
Everything you said leads us to believe that the HDD is a terrible medium for long-term storage of files and flash memories are more resistant

Victoria x HDTune Pro x HDDScan x HardDisk Sentinel x other what is better for testing badblock and fails in HDD?
 
cloudff7ps1 said:
Everything you said leads us to believe that the HDD is a terrible medium for long-term storage of files and flash memories are more resistant

Victoria x HDTune Pro x HDDScan x HardDisk Sentinel x other what is better for testing badblock and fails in HDD?
Click to expand...
I said nothing of the sort.

If you notice, in my last comment, I said nothing about what type of drive. HDD or SSD.
Simply..."drive".

I would trust an HDD on the long term shelf more than an SSD.
In reality though...I'd trust neither to just sit there and expect it to be 100% functional some years from now.

We've had this discussion before.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom