Check the hard disk using the HDDSCAN program

If your hard drive has started to behave strangely and there are suspects that it has problems, you should check it for errors. One of the simplest programs for beginner users, for these purposes-is HDDSCAN (see also: how to check the speed of hard disk).

In this article we will briefly analyze the possibilities of HDDSCAN-free utility for diagnosing hard disk, what and how can you find out and what conclusions can be made about the condition of the hard disk. HDDSCAN can be downloaded from the official website of the utility (the program does not require installation).

HDD verification possibilities

The program supports:

• Hard disk-uri IDE, SATA, SCSI
• External hard disks connected by USB
• Verifica stick USB
• Check and smart for SSD

After starting the program you will see a simple interface: the list to select the disc, which will be tested, button with the hard disk image, on which the access will open to all the available functions of the program, and at the bottom-the list of tests run and performed.

Viewing Smart Information

Immediately under the selected disc is a button with the Smart inscription, which opens the diagnostic report of the hard disk or SSD. The report explains everything quite clear (in English). In other words – green markings – it’s good.

It should be noted that some SSD with Sandforce controller will always display the red soft ECC Correction Rate marking – it is normal and it is duty that the wrong program sees one of the diagnostic values ​​for this controller.

What is Smart http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/smart

Checking the hard disk surface

To check the HDD surface, open the menu and select the «Surface Test» point. You can choose one of the four test variants:

• Verify – Read internal buffer without transfer through SATA interface, IDE or another. The operation time is measured.
• Read – read, transmit, check the data and measure the operation time.
• Erase – the program writes in a row disc blocks on the disk, measuring the operating time (the data in these blocks will be lost).
• Butterfly Read – similar to the read test, except for reading the blocks: the reading starts simultaneously from the beginning to the end of the tiara, block 0 and last, then – 1 and penultimate.

For the regular check of the hard disk for errors choose the Read option (defaultly selected) and press the «Add Test» button. The test will be launched and will be added to the «Test Manager» window. By double-click on the test you can view detailed information in the form of a graph or map of the verified blocks.

In short, any block, to which access requires more than 20 ms – is not good. And if you see a large number of such blocks, it may indicate that the hard disk has problems (which best solves by keeping important data and replacing HDD).

Detailed information about hard disk

If we select the Identity Info point in the program menu, we will get complete information about the selected hard disk: the ability of the disc, the supported modes, the cache size, the type of disc and other information.

Summarizing, I can say that for the usual user the HDDSCAN program can be a good tool to check the hard disk for errors and draw some conclusions about its condition, without resorting to complex diagnostic tools.

Conclusion

Monitoring the health of your hard drive is crucial to ensure the stability and reliability of your computer. Hard drives can exhibit unusual behavior over time, such as slow performance, unexpected noises, or file access errors, all of which may indicate potential problems. Regularly checking the drive for errors helps identify issues early, preventing data loss and maintaining system performance.

For beginner users, HDDSCAN is a simple and effective tool for checking hard drive integrity. It allows users to perform basic diagnostics without needing advanced technical knowledge. The program can detect bad sectors, monitor S.M.A.R.T. attributes, and provide a clear overview of the drive’s condition. By using HDDSCAN, even inexperienced users can take proactive steps to maintain their hard drives and avoid critical failures.

Regular hard drive checks not only improve performance but also extend the lifespan of the device. Identifying problems early enables users to back up important data and, if necessary, replace a failing drive before a catastrophic failure occurs. This approach minimizes the risk of losing valuable files, which could include personal documents, photos, or work-related materials.

In conclusion, keeping an eye on the health of your hard drive is an essential part of responsible computer maintenance. Tools like HDDSCAN make error checking accessible for beginners, allowing them to monitor performance, detect issues early, and take appropriate action to protect their data. By integrating regular checks into routine computer care, users ensure the longevity, stability, and efficiency of their storage devices, while reducing the risk of unexpected data loss or system crashes.