One of the most important parts of a computer system unit is a hard drive. It stores the necessary data, some objects of the operating system and user information. A hard disk is a delicate thing and requires appropriate care. Otherwise, there is a great risk of losing everything that has been accumulated and downloaded.
As one of the options for saving information from the hard drive, these are backups to cloud services and / or to external media. The first procedure is distinguished by its duration and absorbs a lot of traffic, and the second tires with constant copying. To limit the main data carrier from such problems, you need to get a couple of sensible utilities for diagnosing conventional and combined hard drives (HDD, HDD + SSD), as well as external SSD drives. The last two will be discussed today.
Some applications help to timely detect problem areas in the system areas of the drive and warn the user in advance about the need for a technical recovery procedure, while others solve this issue in a comprehensive manner, that is, they seek, find, fix and prevent the following relapses.
So, we present to your attention a list of programs for checking an SSD drive for errors. All applications are respected both in the professional and amateur users' environment and more than once helped both solve problems with a high-speed hard drive.
Crystal disk mark
This program is for checking hard drives (SSD, HDD) and external storage media. The utility began its history more than 10 years ago, so developers are burdened with rich experience, as well as user support.
By and large, we have a program for checking SSDs for speed. That is, the application allows the user to find out the real parameters of reading and writing data to the hard drive or any other drive. Moreover, the Seq algorithm is used as the main analysis tool. The latter is used by almost all manufacturers of high-speed internal and external SSD-drives.
This algorithm allows you to compare the numbers obtained as a result of the test with those indicated in the specification for the equipment. If there are many differences, then you can sound the alarm and resort to using heavier software tools. It is recommended that SSDs check the speed of the hard drive at least once a week, because the problem that has just appeared is much easier to fix than the one that is running and has a good host on your hard drive.
HDDScan
This program for checking SSDs will provide the user with all the technical information about the device and test it using various algorithms. The utility is characterized by an abundance of functionality.
Here you can find out the temperature of the internal and external SSD-drive, as well as other connected drives. The application identifies individual sectors that work slowly, and a rich database of hard drives allows you to compare the received reports with the original specifications of the manufacturers.
Distinctive features of software
HDDScan software for checking SSDs supports both modern arrays and legacy connection interfaces, that is, it works not only with high-speed media, but also with SATA loops and old memory cards.
As a fly in the ointment here is an indication of the process of fulfilling current tasks, or rather the absence thereof as such. Linear diagnostics of solid-state drives have never been fast even on powerful computers, so the lack of the usual strip with a percent completion brings the bar down and alarming: sometimes it seems that the program for checking SSD disks just froze.
Seagate SeaTools
This is a proprietary and fastidious type of hard drive program for checking SSD-drives. Kingston-carriers and devices from Toshiba, alas, do not work with this application, but Western Digital devices feel quite comfortable in tandem with this utility.
Software allows you to carry out three main types of analysis:
- short, where only superficial testing is carried out to identify obvious problems;
- express diagnostics with a short reading of sequential arrays (checking an SSD disk for bad sectors);
- full analysis of everything and everything. The last procedure will take a lot of time, but according to its results there is what is called even a needle in a haystack. That is, not a single bad sector or some kind of problem will hide even in the most secret wilds of the hard drive.
Another useful feature of this program for checking SSDs is the tracking and installation of the latest software for your hard drive. You will always know about the release of new firmware or any drivers.
WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostic
Another proprietary utility, but from Western Digital. Software is more loyal to competitors, so this program can be used (in most cases) on devices from Seagate, Kingston or Toshiba.
It should also be noted that this utility does not differ in a simple and intuitive interface, so it is impossible to recommend it to beginners. In addition, one of the reasons why fans should stay away from the functionality of this application is the presence of irreversible modes, such as deep formatting of tracks and sectors. After performing, for example, the WRITE ZEROS function, data recovery is out of the question.
Another distinguishing feature of this program for an SSD-drive is checking the hard drive for wear and then fixing problems, that is, an in-depth analysis and reassignment of damaged areas. In this case, the utility puts special marks on the bad sectors, after which the operating system is prohibited from writing any data to this place. As a result, we have not just diagnostic software, but a universal solution for analyzing and fixing drive problems.
Victoria HDD
This is one of the oldest utilities in this area. "Victoria" appeared at the dawn of ATA interfaces, and this is more than fifteen years ago. Despite its venerable age and mediocre support by the developers, the program copes with the tasks assigned to it and shuts up a good half of the modern software of this segment.
"Victoria" copes with ordinary express diagnostics and reassignment of bad sectors. In addition, the interface provides a section for checking the connection of the device with the motherboard. That is, in real time, you can see the status of the loop and the voltage supplied to the hard drive.
Software Features
One of the positive and at the same time negative aspects of the program is the interface. On the one hand, we have very simple code that works as if separate from the operating system and can run, as they say, on the knee, that is, in a DOS or BIOS environment. But on the other hand, many people find it difficult to use the utility, because there are simply no official assemblies for Windows and you have to be wise with the command line or download amateur versions adapted for windows.
Despite such troubles, the program is stable and efficient. In addition, the software is absolutely free and takes up very little space, which allows you to put it not just into any drive, but even into the system area of the disk, where there are places and so on.
The utility seems to be simple, but it can not be recommended to beginners. Here you need at least basic knowledge and understanding of the process of diagnosis and recovery of hard drives. That is, those who are accustomed to click on the start button, and then click OK in the "Done" window - this software will not work.
HD tune
This is a fairly simple shareware application for diagnosing regular and high-speed hard drives. The software works in two standard modes: express analysis using the smart method and low-level error search in read mode.
It should also be noted that the tools used by the utility have proprietary algorithms, so they can detect most of the non-standard errors, where ordinary applications simply pass by. The software supports almost all known connection interfaces from classic SATA drives to modern SSD protocols, so there should be no problems with synchronization.
Distinctive features of the utility
If you purchase a paid license, then the functionality of the program expands significantly, and most importantly (for many) - advertising and constantly pop-up blocks disappearing with an offer to buy some trinket.
The professional version has not only diagnostic capabilities, but also resuscitation. The latter imply a ban on writing to bad sectors, and in rare cases, restoring them to full performance. There is a Pro version of the order of 2,000 rubles, and you can purchase it on the official website of the developer. If you are lucky, you can buy software for a significant discount from any distributor for the action or even get it in addition to a more expensive product.
HDD Regenerator
This is already a whole complex where a huge amount of functionality is available to the user to diagnose and solve problems associated with hard drives and SSDs, including. Software as its main management tools uses its own search methods and algorithms with the correction of bad sectors.
Unlike the previous utility, Regenerator not only prohibits the operating system from accessing problem areas of the disk, but also tries to restore the latter. The combination of special signals and surface formatting at a high and low level allows (sometimes) to bring back to life the bad sectors.
It should also be noted that the utility works with all known drive interfaces, so there are no problems with synchronization. The software will digest both the old man on SATA and the brand-new combined or external SSD-drives.
Program features
The only drawback of such a powerful tool for working with hard drives is the cost of the license. On the official resource of the developer, you can buy the program for 5000 rubles. In other distribution networks, you can get a discount, but not more than 500 rubles, so this software can not be called inexpensive.
Despite such a high cost, the program justifies its investment, especially if your system unit has more than one hard drive or a whole collection of flash drives and other external drives. The utility more than once or twice will save your information and treat devices from specific ailments. Professional users have noticed that regular use of this program significantly increases the operational resource of hard drives (from 15 to 40%, depending on the type and size). Therefore, software can be safely recommended to all those who care about their drives, as well as about the information stored on them.