Software based hard drive tests?

Is there a software based hard drive tester out there? I have no idea how to test my now 7 year old hard drive on my MDD,just wondering if there are software based solutions as well as hardware,and where to get them,thanks!

Excellent,thank you,just one more question,can the power supply be tested the same way,with software?Or am I stuck using a power supply tester,which I dont currently have(a link to a decent one would be nice,if I cant do this with software,that is).Again thanks for this,as I totally forgot which ones were the best :)Oh,and BTW,japamac,I just joined the Quicksilver club(if one exists )and found your blog an excellent resource for deciding on which one to get,as well as which upgrade parts to use.Recieving one this week,with an Radion 9800Pro card.Alraedy have a Firmtec card and am using a 1TB Hitachi jupiter series hard drive.The Quicksilver is a DP 800,and I'm running Leopard.I for one just want to take this time to thank you for all the help you have been to me and everyone who loves their Power PC G4's!!

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Opinions on Hard Drive Testing Software

This will be a 2 part question, since I'm new to this forum.
First, I own both a MBP and an iMac. The question I posted in the MBP section was this:
--------START OF POST-------
Hello friends!
I came across the following link on hard drive test tools and was curious about the opinions people have for them, against them, or no opinion. Here's the link:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1544280
I would caution to read really only the first post because it contains the information I'm interested in, and later on the discussion quickly turns into complaint session about "Mac Keeper" which I have absolutely no interest in replicating.
In advance, I thank you for your input!
---------END OF POST---------
The other question has to do with this forum. The question above isn't system specific since all Apple computers have a hard drive or SSD of some sort. Is there a way to post a question into all hardware related forums instead of doing what I've done above, which is copy and paste from a previous thread to the other?
As before, in advance, I thank you for your input!

He wants to test his hard drives because it's fun and entertaining!!!
I've seen that list before. I think it's become somewhat of the DeFacto list of those types of tools on the web.
I use Scannerz myself because I didn't see any point in paying $100 for some of the other tools when a new drive costs anywhere from $40-$70 (US) for a "normal" sized drive. If you use its cursory mode it can scan SSDs and to the best of my knowledge it's the only tool that's capable of presenting Fusion Drive's to the end user on both a component basis (ie the SSD and the hard drive individually) or as a single entity (ie the entire Fusion Drive as a single unit). At present I don't have an SSD because I've been reading too many stories about third party units being problematic, but I'm assuming (is that safe??) that this will change in the next year or two.
Considering how differently SSDs handle data vs. a hard drive, I have to wonder how good some of the features of the more expensive tools will be in the long run. For example, right now if a file is erased on a traditional hard drive, the data isn't really gone until it's overwritten, it's just marked as free space. This allows "recovery tools" to recover data. On an SSD with garbage collection enabled, I would think this would more or less kill that option. And of course, with an SSD, defragmentation isn't needed at all.
It's sort of interesting how somehow or other, Mac Keeper managed to make it's way into that thread. If I open up a weather web site, there's an ad for Mac Keeper telling me I need to clean my Mac. If I log into a newspaper, once again, there's Mac Keeper telling me to clean my Mac. Some guy does a post on a web about drive testing tools, and in one way or another Mac Keeper STILL manages to end up dominating it...although in this case not so favorably!

HT5622 My Ipod Classic shows a red circle with a cross in the middle. I've completed diagnostic tests which have popped up, however any HP/FW/Hard Drive tests freeze the ipod, as if the hard drive won't spin. What do I do?

My Ipod Classic shows a red circle with a cross in the middle. I've completed diagnostic tests which have popped up, however any HP/FW/Hard Drive tests freeze the ipod, as if the hard drive won't spin. What do I do?
After holding down the Select and Play/Pause button, I was able to restart the Ipod and then it brought me to a Diagnositc test. I have tried doing both the Mannual and Annual test on the ipod however in each test, the ipod freezes on different access tests. The HP (headphones) test, shows the headphones are detected, but then if it tries to play a song to make sure they work it freezes and goes back to the red cross. I have looked at various other questions regarding the FW cable, however I don't believe i have such a cabel. Then the Hard Drive test freezes up and I can hear a ticking noise coming from the drive but it doesnt seem to be spinning. Alongside these test issues, any computer cannot see the Ipod when plugged in (including itunes). Therefore some tests for the USB drive cannot be completed. I do not recall dropping it badly, though I have dropped it previously. Does all this mean there is damage to the drive? Should I instead take it to an apple store?
Many Thanks

The stats look fine. Try the DFU Restore method shown in Corrupt iPod classic. It may pay to disable any anti-virus software and use the staged transfer method to reload data, assuming you get that far.
tt2

Laptop dropped - trying to run hard drive test in bios, but can't find

CAn someone tell me how to run a hard drive test in bios - I am not seeing it in the menu at the initial screen after hitting F2. Is there a disk I need to insert?

The BIOS doesn't provide a HD diagnostic. The BIOS is firmware and is limited to providing
basic functions like recognizing devices on the buss or providing the user the ability to
load software to the HD.

I cannot install, only hard drive test. please help!

hi,
my iBook G4 crashed about 2 months ago and I got a new harddrive but it came with no operating system. I borrowed a friend's disks but everytime I put in disk 1 it will only go to Hard Drive Test and I cannot make it go to a section where I can actually reinstall. I have tried pressing command, c, command and c, and nothing. every time it goes to the Hard Drive Test and I have already run it and I passed.
the girl with the disks also has an iBook G4 and I do not understand what the problem is. she just bought it after I did.
I bought my laptop in the US but I am currently in Denmark and could not get Apple to actually fix my laptop but there should be no problem.
please help!

heychristaay,
As I asked in My Previous Reply;
"What OS was installed on your iBook before you replaced the HD?
Have you tried installing, using either the disks that shipped with the iBook, or a Full Retail Version of an OS, that you may have upgraded to? Your own disks?'
If the borrowed disks, do not look Exactly like THESE, they will not work to install Panther 10.3.x.
Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?
ali b

My 2007 Macbook pro Intel Core 2 Duo   Processor Speed 2.33 GHz has power issues with one or some of my USB powered devices. Last night I could not back up my Lacie external drives with software SuperDuper, hard drive copier. I also had a message that Tim

My 2007 Macbook pro Intel Core 2 Duo   Processor Speed 2.33 GHz has power issues with one or some of my USB powered devices. Last night I could not back up my Lacie external drives with software SuperDuper, hard drive copier. I also had a message that Time machine failed. I have two powered 12V USB
routers that are plugged into a 550VA CyberPower surge protector. I often receive these insufficient USB power for devices messages a dozen times even when I do not have devices like camera, Ipad, Ipod, and Tascam digital audio recorder plugged in. Is there a way to troubleshoot these USB routers or should I consider that one of the routers may be defective and replace them?
David

My 2007 Macbook pro Intel Core 2 Duo   Processor Speed 2.33 GHz has power issues with one or some of my USB powered devices. Last night I could not back up my Lacie external drives with software SuperDuper, hard drive copier. I also had a message that Time machine failed. I have two powered 12V USB
routers that are plugged into a 550VA CyberPower surge protector. I often receive these insufficient USB power for devices messages a dozen times even when I do not have devices like camera, Ipad, Ipod, and Tascam digital audio recorder plugged in. Is there a way to troubleshoot these USB routers or should I consider that one of the routers may be defective and replace them?
David

Can i put a intel based hard drive in my ibook g4?

Im wondering if its possible to install a intel based hard drive in my ibookg4,and am wondering if it would be more reasonable to do that instead of buying a completely new computer.Any websites you could show me,or info you could give me would help me a lot.Thank you

There really aren't "Intel based" hard drives.
However, what your iBook needs is a 2.5" PATA hard drive. If you're looking to use a hard drive from, say, a MacBook, that won't work because MacBook hard drives 2.5" SATA drives. What was your plan, exactly?
You can check iFixit.com for instructions to replace the drive--it will take a few hours, and there's a LOT of screws involved, but the project is certainly doable.
Take a search through the boards for other similar topics & you'll find some good advice.
~Lyssa

I did a hard drive test and got this error code.. what does it mean?

4MEM/4/40000000: 0x6a494c18

You did the Apple Hardware Test (not "hard drive test"), I presume? That error suggests RAM.
You can do the extended AHT for more, or try downloading and running Rember:
http://www.kelleycomputing.net/rember/

Whats the best recommended hard drive testing tool

what hard drive testing tool would you guys recommend??
not just for lenovo's, for all PCs.& Notebooks
thanks
this should be easy...?

I use HD Tune.
If you're assessing damage, the free HDD Regenerator might be useful.
W520: i7-2720QM, Q2000M at 1080/688/1376, 21GB RAM, 500GB + 750GB HDD, FHD screen
X61T: L7500, 3GB RAM, 500GB HDD, XGA screen, Ultrabase
Y3P: 5Y70, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, QHD+ screen

Slow system – problem with OS, software, memory, hard drive?

I am running a MacBookPro5,3 (Intel Core 2 Duo – 2.8 GHz, Memory = 2 x 4 GB, Hard drive = NVidia 500 GB - 100GB of which is free space), using Mac OS X 10.6.3.
I was running 10.6.6. Then attempted a software update to 10.6.7 and the system essentially stopped working, Was able to back up data using target disk mode, and then reinstalled 10.6.3 using a purchased snow leopard DVD (had lost the disk that came with the computer). Worked for a while but have been having issues with increasingly long and frequent system slow downs (spinning beach ball). Recently attempted another system update, and the update failed and wasn't able to do anything. Used the 10.6.3 dvd and did a disk utility check – it initially said there was a problem with the hard drive – but on another restart from the DVD this issue disappeared (but still no working OS). Attempted connection of my computer to another laptop using target disk mode – this failed to show the target hard drive and only showed the dvd which was in the computer booted up in target disk mode.
At this point rebooted using the DVD and was able again to install system 10.6.3. However, there are still occasions of sporadic slow-downs associated with specific applications (spinning beach ball for anywhere from 5 – 120 sec). Ran disk utility from the DVD again – states that the permissions and the hard drive is OK. Also, ran a memory test (using Rember) which stated that everything was fine (although the test took nearly 2 hours to run and was punctuated by much spinning beach ball activity).
At this stage i am not sure whether I have a problem with memory, the hard drive, the OS or the software. Clearly something is not right – are there any other options to test my system (since I don't have the original dvd – I haven't been able to run a system hardware test) - other third party options?
Thanks in advance for any advice, and apologies for long post.
Rob

Sounds like a failing hard drive or SATA controller. It's not clear whether you have a backup of your data. If not, you should remove the hard drive from the machine and install it an external enclosure or dock, then back it up using another Mac. Then take the unit to an authorized service outlet for testing.

Comprehensive Fusion hard drive test - are there any.

is there any software to do a comprehensive test on my fusion hard drive.
I have a new imac and I swear, i hear a beep sometimes while accessing data.
I ran disk utility and it was OK.

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:
syslog -k Sender kernel -k Message CSeq "I/O error" | tail | open -f -a TextEdit
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V).
The command may take a noticeable amount of time to run. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”) to appear.
A TextEdit window will open with the output of the command. Post the contents of that window, if any — the text, please, not a screenshot.

Hard drive test failed

Hi
My HP Pavilion G6 is showing HARD DISK IMMINENT FAILURE on startup and asks to go in diagnostics.
When I run any test it shows SMART CHECK - FAILED.
Failure ID: OTSE1F-5LC77B-XD015G-60FV03
Product ID: QA498EA#ABV
HARD DISK 1.
However, when i choose to continue startup, it loads Windows but runs very irritatingly slow.
How can i get it fixed?

Hi,
The 24 character error code for the Smart failure would indicate that the Hard Drive is failing and needs to be replaced. This is also consistent with the slow loading/performance issues you describe.
If your notebook is still under warranty, contact HP and arrange to have the drive replaced - you can check your warranty status Here.
If you live in the US, contact HP Here.
If you are in another part of the world, start Here.
If you are out of warranty and would like a guide on replacing the Hard Drive yourself, please let me know.
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

Hp Envy Dv7 Hard Drive Test

I have bought this Hp computer about 9 to 10 months ago and I have already got an issue with the computer. My computer is a Hp Envy Dv7. I tryed to start up my computer and it went extremely slow. I attempted to log into my account on my computer but nothing would work. I went to go check if any of my parts we failing which one of them is, the hard drive did not pass the "Hard Drive Short Dst Check". It gave me this failure Id: 9TWFTW-6B86R5-QFPK0K-60VU03
I can't log into my computer, I don't know how to fix this problem please help.

Hello, i'm owner of a HP Envy DV6 7280SL and, right now, i've encountered a problem with my hdd, it seem to be broken, is divided in two partitions, one containing a windows 7 system, and the other one with windows 8.
Until now, both partitions had working perfectly but, from this morning, the partition with windows 8 mounted dosen't work. After a check, with the hp application for testing the hardware, the result of the HDD test is : failed.
It report a failure id : 94LD51-6A06R5-QFPK0K-60TV03.
Anyway, if i use the other partition ( the one with windows 7 mounted ...) everything is working ... in fact right now i'm using my notebook to write to you this post.
I've read a lot of posts on this regards and most of them refer a problem that can be solved only changing the HDD.
Could i solve this problem in another way or the only way is to change the HDD ?
If the only solution is to change the HDD, i will buy an hdd that can improve the performance of my notebook, any suggestions on this regard ?
I've give it a look to this : http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=790
Could you suggest something else avoiding the SSD due to the high price that they have at the moment ?
Sorry for my english and thanks to anyone that will help me to solve this issue.
Massimiliano.

Can I install Snow Leopard over Lion to install old software after hard drive crashed?

My hard drive crashed and I lost everything. I have a new hard drive, but when the repair shop installed my operating system, they installed Lion and I no longer have my prior updates. My computer had been updated a few times. I have a lot of software that only can be installed up to 10.7 such as Adobe Photoshop Elements 10, Office Mac 2011, etc. I was wondering if I installed Snow Leopard over Lion, would I lose Lion? Should I install Snow Leopard and then Lion again? I don't want to damage my like new computer and I don't want to have to go out and buy all new software. Is there a solution? Thanks in advance!

Sounds complicated! If I repartition the drive and install Snow Leopard onto the blank volume, will Lion still be there? Or, will the computer basically have two operating systems that I have to go back and forth from. Is this something a novice like myself can do?

Would like some opinions re: best backup software/external hard drives for windows xp and windows 7

Recently tried to restore a corrupted hard drive with a Toshiba canvio hard drive with NTI Backup Now EZ I purchased in 2010. Was only able to restore a few files, had a very hard time working with the software, even contacted NTI, still not much luck. Am unhappy with the NTI software, and want to know what external hard drives and what software the community has used and would recommend for Windows XP and Windows 7? Thank you so much in advance for your time and opinions.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

It doesn't matter which external drive you use.
Let's talk about backing up the entire drive. Be sure to burn the disc that enables you to restore.
Windows XP does not have a decent image backup built-in. I understand this free one works well.
EaseUS Todo Backup Free
Windows 7 has a decent one.
Learn more about system image backup
Windows 8 contains the same backup. Open "Windows 7 File Recovery" (sdclt.exe).
-Jerry

Software based hard drive tests?

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