Different Tools for your Hard Drive Test
It is always good to check your disk by doing a regular hard drive test. One way of doing it is by using the operating system integrated tool and try to set up a regular scheduled task to have a hard drive test. Of course, you will need some diagnostic tools that will help you with this job. Here are some of tools that are integrated to your Windows operating system.
5 Options to perform A Hard Drive Test
First is Disk Cleanup. This diagnostic tool works by deleting some of the files on your hard disk that are only temporary. It also deletes the files that are unnecessary or the files that only take up space without doing anything. Aside from cleaning up the hard disk, it can also compress files that can be extremely useful when your hard disk is running out of space. It is advisable to do this task on a regular basis. You can prevent running out of space on your disk and it can make sure that your pc runs faster.
If you want to make use of this diagnostic tool, you only need to right click the hard disk volume and click the properties command. The dialog box of the Local Disk Properties will have a cleanup button. You must keep in mind that this tool is only for windows operating system. A different approach is needed for other operating systems.
Second is Disk Defragmenter. This kind of hard drive test is done through the use of a tool in the operating system known as integrated Disk Defragmenter. To simply explain its function, it is the one that organizes the files stored on your hard disk. Your system can be fragmented from time to time because of storing and deleting files regularly. This is the reason why disk defragmenter is very important. It can also detect bad sectors on the hard disk and prevents any data to be stored on these bad sectors. It is also advisable to do this on a regular basis to prevent your hard disk to be fragmented.
If you are using a windows operating system, you can make use of this tool by clicking the disk defragmenter located on the system tools menu. Simple open your accessories menu that is also located on the all programs menu.
Third is scanning for bad sectors. L
ike what is said earlier, a file must be prevented from being stored on a bad sector of your hard disk. The disk defragmenter will not able to recover or detect any data on a bad sector so you need to perform a scan to know the bad sectors on your computer. You have to close all the applications and file on your computer. Click the hard drive volume and click properties command. The check now button will be the one to scan the bad sectors on your computer.
Fourth is the chkdisk utility. This kind of hard drive test allows you to check if there are any errors on your file system. You can run this tool with the use of the DOS prompt. The syntax used by this utility is chkdsk [drive:] [/p] [/r]. The first parameter is the hard disk volume where you want to run the tool. The parameter that checks errors on the system is the [/p] syntax while the [/r] parameter ensure that the tool checks the bad sectors and it can help recover some data.
Fifth are external hard drive test tools. There are also tools that can be used that are often provided by the creators of your hard disk. There are a couple of these tools online. Some PC repair shops also have diagnostic tools that they use so you can also make use of these for a proper hard drive test.