what's the best (paid or free) diagnostic tool for HDD and SSD?

giantbucket

Dignified
BANNED
as per subject - free or paid version is fine. would like a proper diagnostic tool that works on traditional hard drives as well as on SSDs, and ideally one that allows a portable install so that I can use it on my desktop and laptop machines, and MAYBE even on my office machine.
 
Solution
I just found out about Hard Disk Sentinel in another thread: http://www.hdsentinel.com/
In spite of its name, it also has diagnostics and monitoring for SSDs.

I just downloaded and installed the trial version and I am considering purchasing the paid version. Have a look at it and see what you think!

Yogi

animal

Distinguished
if you have Seagate or Western digital hard drives, go to their respective manufacturer's website and download their diagnostic program. For WD it's called "Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows" (other versions available). For Seagate it's called "SeaTools for Windows" (other versions available). Not sure if they provide anything for SSDs.
 

giantbucket

Dignified
BANNED
ideally i'd want one that isn't brand-specific. i have drives from WD, Seagate, Hitachi, and SSDs from a bunch of mfg / brands. and i could likely come across / buy drives made by Toshiba as well.

oh, and upon thinking more, some drives are internal while others i can only access using a USB caddy of some sort.
 
I just found out about Hard Disk Sentinel in another thread: http://www.hdsentinel.com/
In spite of its name, it also has diagnostics and monitoring for SSDs.

I just downloaded and installed the trial version and I am considering purchasing the paid version. Have a look at it and see what you think!

Yogi
 
Solution

giantbucket

Dignified
BANNED


ya, i came across it in another thread here, and also my local computer shop recommended it, so i just bought the Pro version (paid, not trial).
 

giantbucket

Dignified
BANNED
the "BUY NOW" link says 28Eur/$35US, so i paid $44Cad. it's close enough to today's exchange rate.

from what i learned by emailing them, the Pro (single license) can be done either as a install OR as a portable. the Family (5 license) can be done in any combination of install & portable (eg 1 install + 4 portable, or 3 install + 2 portable), which is kinda cool. evidently one can also upgrade from Pro to Family for just the approx price difference, which was good enough to get me to get the Pro for now.

initial scans of my installed hard drives indicate that both of my old Seagate 7200.11 drives are iffy - one is "ok for now" and the other is "yeah, you should start backing up and get a replacement soon". i figured i'd need to replace them anyways, but at least now i know more and know which drive should get priority.
 

eaval

Honorable
Dec 11, 2013
1
0
10,510


Eurosoft's Tools are hands-down the best commercial hardware diagnostic software.
http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/qawin32.html
http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/pccheck.html
 

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