Thread: Disc Test Instructions

Damage or failing hard drive can be hard to troubleshoot. If drive has not totally stopped working there may be small proof to support replacement. A loud drive may not be failing, particularly if it's a previous model, and damage data can be caused by defective memory. The better method to appropriately analyze a disk drive is by running one or more utilities. Back up important data before checking any drive.

Testing an Installed Drive

1. A failing drive shows blue screen errors or irregular boot problems. Check drive with a Windows installation CD by booting from CD and running the Check Disk utility. Access the utility by choosing Recovery Console from boot options list, then type "chkdsk /r" at command prompt and press "Enter." Look for errors or read them which will specify a failing drive. You can also check drive using a free bootable tool, like Ultimate Boot CD.

Testing a Removed Drive

2. Install the drive in an external adapter, or as a slave in a working PC. Make use of PC to scan the drive with Check Disk utility or a free tool from hard drive company's site. You can also utilize a software utility, like HDDScan. Read the instructions carefully for every tool, and know what signs to look for in the output file or report from scan.

Checking a Mac Disk Drive

3. Drives formatted with Apple file systems can be tested externally with similar tools run from a working Windows installation. Test Mac drives still installed by pressing "C" key to boot from Apple CD, then choosing "Installer" on the screen. Select "Disk Utility" from Installer menu and then choose "First Aid" tab to access Disk Utility.

Formatting a Drive

4. Drive problems will generally become evident during a Format. Formatting a disk deletes all data from drive, so ensure to take back up all important data first. Boot from a CD and select "Set up Windows" from options list. Then on the screen use the arrow keys to choose drive's partition or partitions, then delete each. Select "Install Windows in the Unpartitioned Space" to permit Windows to format hard drive. If Windows not succeeds to install, the drive has problems and must be removed.

Thanks a lot for this article. I am having a blue still screen problem right now . Is it a symbol of hard drive death? What shall I do next?