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I GOT THIS ORIGINALLY FROM HERE: http://www.carrona.org/hddiag.html
Last updated:
18 Jun 2011
added Nokia and Lenovo boot keys
Bootable
Hard Drive Diagnostics
This
is intended to be a one-stop shopping spot for testing your hard drive
outside of Windows. If you’re able to get into Windows, some
of
the manufacturer’s offer tests that will work inside of
Windows.
FWIW – here’s a free generic test that runs in Windows (select HDTune,
not HDTune Pro): http://www.hdtune.com/download.html
Suggestions
are welcomed!
What
you’ll need:
– a blank CD
–
a computer with an internet connection where you can download a file,
install a small program, and burn a CD (doesn’t have to be the computer
that you’ll be testing).
1.
Determine the make and model of your hard drive(s)
–
In Windows XP – Go to Start…Run…and type in “devmgmt.msc” (without
the quotes) and press Enter. Click on the + sign next to Disk
Drives and use Google to search the information listed there)
–
In Windows VISTA/Windows 7 – Go to Start…and type in “devmgmt.msc” (without the
quotes) and press Enter. Click on the + sign next to Disk
Drives
and use Google to search the information listed there
–
From outside of Windows: Unplug the system from the wall, remove the
battery (if it’s a laptop) and crack the case open. Look
inside
to locate the hard drive and write down the make and model number
(although the model number isn’t required for the test, it will help
you to identify what sort of drive to replace if the test says that the
drive is bad).
If you’re unable to see the hard
drive info, follow the steps below for the Hitachi DFT. At
the
screen where it asks you if the list is correct, the model number of
your drive will be there. Use Google to search for the model
and
that will let you know the manufacturer.
NOTE:
If you have a RAID array, the test’s may not detect the hard
drive. If that is the case, please run the manufacturer’s
diagnostics from within Windows. There will be a different
download for this at the manufacturer’s website.
NOTE:
It’s strongly recommended that you use the test from the manufacturer
of your hard drive. Most manufacturers build in tests that
are
only for their drives (in addition to the standard S.M.A.R.T. tests) –
so using their test will give more accurate results.
NOTE: Please run the test on all
hard drives attached to your system. This is necessary as a fault
in any of the drives can cause problems with the entire system.
2. Locate
the support website of the hard drive manufacturer from the
following list and download the appropriate file to your
computer. FWIW – the first link for each drive usually
contains
more information/instructions about running the test. If you
cannot locate a test for your hard drive – run the Hitachi DFT (for
older systems designed for IDE drives – primarily XP and earlier) or
the Seagate SeaTools (for newer systems designed for SATA drives –
primarily Vista and later).
Hitachi – http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT
Download this image for CD’s: http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/downloads/dft32_v416_b00.iso
– I have seen issues with v415 on some Asus laptops – it will erase the
boot settings, requiring you to go into the BIOS and reset the BIOS to
default values.
Western
Digital
– I’ve had issues with running this from a CD/DVD – try the
Hitachi DFT (on older/IDE systems) or the Seagate SeaTools (on
newer/SATA systems) – http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?level1=6&lang=en
Download the Diag504fCD.iso file on this page: http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=601&sid=30&lang=en
I have hosted a zipped copy of the ISO that I use (at work) here: http://www.box.net/shared/gl0fifqgj4
http://cid-5a5378e587a744c3.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/W-D%5E_DLG%5E_504f.zip
Seagate – http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools
Download the Seatools for DOS ISO CD-ROM Image from this link: http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools/seatooldreg (Direct download here: http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/seatools/SeaToolsDOS223ALL.ISO )
Maxtor –
Seagate SeaTools has replaced the Maxtor diagnostics. Use the
Seagate SeaTools links above.
Toshiba – I’m
unable to locate any tools for Toshiba. I’d suggest the
Hitachi DFT (Drive Fitness Test) from above.
Fujitsu –
sold to Toshiba on 01 Oct 2009. No tests available AFAIK.
Use the SeaGate SeaTools for Vista and newer systems, use Hitachi DFT
for XP and older systems.
Samsung – Go to http://www.samsung.com/us/support/ and select “Hard Disk Drives” under the Office category.
Enter the information about your hard drive model, then click on the
Get Downloads link on the next page, then on the Software link on the
following page.
If there’s no downloads available, try this link – it seems to be the same version (ESTOOL v3.01) for every drive: http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.com/downloadfile/ContentsFile.aspx?CDSite=US&CttFileID=220644&CDCttType=SW&ModelType=C&ModelName=HA250JC&VPath=SW/201011/20101118113245515/ESTOOL301v.iso
You
must unzip the file before
you can burn (NOT copy)
the ISO image to a CD.
IBM –
IBM has merged with Hitachi. Use the Hitachi DFT (Drive Fitness Test)
listed above.
Intel(SSD) – Intel Solid State Drive Toolbox located here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455
3.
If you do not have a disk burning program that’s capable of burning ISO
images to your CD drive, I suggest this free tool: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
Select the appropriate version by following the instructions, Install
the program, then reboot your system.
FYI –
an ISO burner will place files in a certain order on the disk, this is
what makes the disk bootable. You CANNOT
just copy the file to a CD – it won’t work!
4.
Insert the blank CD into the CD drive and dismiss any dialogs that may
pop up. Then right click on the ISO file that you downloaded
and
select “Copy Image to CD” (it should be the top choice on the context
(right click) menu. Follow the prompts to record the
image.
Remember that the slower the speed you select, the less likely it is
that there will be errors in the burn process. Most disk
images
are small, so the process shouldn’t take very long even at the slowest
speed.
5.
Boot from the CD to run the test. Here’s a partial list of
ways
to access the built in boot menus of different systems. Press
the
appropriate key when the first screen shows up after you turn the
computer on.
HP/Compaq – Esc (starting to use F9 also) (F10 will usually access BIOS)
Dell – F12 (F2 will access BIOS)
Gateway/eMachines – F10 (moving to F12 with newer models) (F2 will access BIOS)
Acer – F12 (not always) (F2 will access BIOS)
Toshiba – F12 (older systems will be different)
Sony – usually will boot to CD, may ask you to “Press any key to boot
from CD”
Asus – Esc (F2 will access BIOS)
Samsung – Esc (F2 will access BIOS)
Nokia – F12 (F2 will access BIOS)
Lenovo – F12 (?Del wil access BIOS)
When
in doubt, either access the BIOS (Setup) and make the CD drive the
first boot device (before the hard drive), or post in the forums for
assistance.
6.
Follow the prompts on the screen to run the test. In
particular
run the Long/Extended/Complete/Comprehensive/etc test – as the shorter
tests are not completely reliable.
My greatest experience is
with
the Hitachi DFT – and you can just press Enter (2 times) until you get
to the
screen where it asks you to agree to the conditions (press A), confirm
the devices listed (press Y), select Advanced (press A), then Start
(press S) there.
For
the Seagate SeaTools – boot from the CD, click on “Accept”, wait for it
to finish detecting the drives, then in the upper left corner select
“Basic Tests”, then select “Long Test” and let it run.
NOTE: If you have more than one
drive installed, run the test on each drive.
If
you encounter any problems running the test – just post them to the
forums and someone will be glad to help you out.
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