Apparently, almost everyWindows user somehow faced with a situation where, after a system failure, when rebooting again, a message appears stating that one of the disks needs to be checked. What is the saddest thing is, verification does not always end successfully, but the message is issued again and again. Let's see how in practice this or that program is used to test hard drives.
Errors on the hard disk and the reasons for their appearance
First, consider the main types of errors andreasons for their occurrence. Naturally, any program for testing a hard disk at the end of the test will produce an appropriate result, but it is advisable to understand at least the general processes that may cause errors.
As a rule, they are divided into two main types:systemic and physical due to damage to the hard drive. That is why a universal program for testing a hard disk (no matter whether it is a native or an external application) has tools for analyzing several types, as well as tools for restoring broken sectors. It is clear, probably, that this is done in a systematic way, since no program is able to eliminate the physical defects of the hard drive or removable USB HDD.
Broken sectors
Now let's deal with the concept of broken sectors, becausebasically the cause of errors comes down precisely to their damage. The fact is that the information stored on the hard drive is recorded in a strictly defined place called the sector. Damage to such a sector causes errors.
The reasons for this can be quite a lot.For example, failures can be associated with the “crash” of Windows itself (unfortunately, all operating systems of this family are not ideal), overheating of the hard drive, sudden power failure, dust or, even worse, mechanical damage. A sector from which information cannot be copied or overwritten is called a broken one.
However, it is worth noting that to fight this inrecovery plan beaten sectors possible. In principle, the program for testing hard disks for bad sectors can not only check but also restore them.
In the system plan, everything is quite simple:here the key role is played by correct checksums that are overwritten to the bad sector. Another thing is when mechanical damage to the surface of the hard drive occurs, after which writing to such a sector becomes simply impossible. Here, the output is the use of a special backup disk area, where the correct checksum value is written. In fact, the logical address of such a sector remains the same, but the physical location changes, although this does not affect the reading of the data absolutely.
Standard HDD Checker in Windows
It goes without saying that Windows has its own program for testing hard disks (internal or external, logical partitions, etc.). You can call it in several ways.
The simplest method by whichthe native program is called to test hard disks in Windows, the use of the string “Properties” in the context menu accessed by right-clicking the mouse (mouse) on the drive letter in the Explorer. On the “Service” tab there is a button to start the verification process. By default, it is suggested only to correct system errors, but it is possible (and desirable) to additionally use the automatic recovery of bad sectors.
Unfortunately, as practice shows, "native"hard drive testing program does not always give the expected result. In some cases, to start the process, you can use the command line or the “Run” menu with the introduction of the chkdsk command (indicating the drive letter or partition, as well as using additional parameters).
So, for example, checking the C drive with automatic error correction looks like this: chkdsk c: / f (the result will not take long).
You can also use the command to check NTFS file systems (chkntfs / x c :), while standard checking with the Check Disc tool will be excluded.
Third-party verification applications
Лучше всего использовать сторонние утилиты.They are much more efficient. For example, the same Victoria hard disk testing program is functionally much higher than the standard system tools. Among the most popular tools worth noting applications such as ScanHDD, Norton Disc Doctor and many others.
Как правило, все такие утилиты работают в automatic mode, where user involvement is minimized. In most cases, it suffices to select the initial scan parameters and start the process start.
BIOS Access Preparation (if required)
In some cases, the hard drive testing program may not detect the built-in or removable hard drive. This will require setting access in the BIOS.
For the same Victoria utility in the SATA controller mode, you need to change the value from AHCI to IDE, because the program simply will not accept the program in standard mode.
In addition, you need to boot the system from a flash drive, and use the DOS version of the utility better (you can check the disk this way before loading the OS).
Scanning process
If you look a little wider, you could saywhat else may be required program testing the speed of the hard disk, since this parameter can also influence the occurrence of failures and errors on the hard drive.
As for the scanning process itself,The principles by which it is produced differ little from each other. Almost all utilities hide the system processes associated with the check from the user's eyes, showing only the progress in percentage terms.
View results and fix bugs
Naturally, the program for testingWD hard drives that any other means of verification at the end of the scanning process provide detailed information about the hard drive, the scan time, the total disk volume, damaged and fixed errors, etc.
Here it is worth noting some subtleties.If the hard drive itself or removable media is damaged very badly, no external hard drive test or built-in hard drive will help. Of course, some programs are able to carry out such an analysis (the same Victoria). On the other hand, if a lot of physical damage is discovered, it is better to buy a new hard drive and copy the information from the old one onto it. It will be very difficult for an ordinary user to do this, but for that there are many service centers where this process will not cause any difficulties.
The result
Как видите, мы особо не вдавались в техническую side of the issue of checking hard drives and limited to general issues. This is due only to the fact that the processes themselves are so complex that an ordinary user simply does not need their understanding.
On the other hand, it can be noted that allUtilities designed to scan hard drives and restore their performance from the point of view of interface organization are quite simple. Look, because the user doesn’t really need to “bother” in terms of the choice of parameters and the immediate start of the process of checking or correcting errors. In this regard, the only exception is professional utilities (again, Victoria), which require knowledge of subtle and specific settings for use outside of Windows.
As practice shows, the simplest programs andapplications of this type and their basic capabilities will be enough for an ordinary user, as they say, with a head. In addition, many utilities of this type are completely free, and you can download them in minutes, and then install and use at your discretion.
Напоследок остается только добавить, что тут не you will even need to know what type of hard drive is installed in the computer system. All processes are so automated that even a person who is absolutely far from understanding all these principles of work can use such programs.
