Apparently, almost every user of Windows anyway faced with a situation where after a system failure after repeated restart the message that one of the drives require checking.What is most sad, verification is not always succeeds, and the message is issued again.Let us see how, in practice applies one or another program to test hard drives.
errors on the hard disk and their causes
To begin, consider the main types of errors and their causes.Of course, any program for testing the hard drive at the end will give the appropriate test results, but the most desirable and understand at least the general processes that can cause errors.
As a rule, they are divided into two main types: systemic and due to physical damage to the hard drive.That is why a universal program for testing hard drive (without a difference, "native" is a means of OSes or third-party applications) has in its arsenal of tools for the analysis of several types, as well as tools to restore the broken sector.It is understandable, perhaps, that it is produced by the system in a manner as no program is able to eliminate the physical defects of the hard drive or removable disk USB HDD.
Broken sector
Now let's deal with the concept of broken sectors, because the main cause of errors is reduced to the damage.The fact that the information stored on the hard drive is written at a specific point called sectors.Damage to this sector, and causes errors.
The reasons for this can be quite a lot.For example, the failure may be associated with the "crash" of OS Windows (unfortunately, this family of OSes imperfect), overheating of the hard drive, power outage, dust, or worse, mechanical damage.The sector from which it is impossible to copy or overwrite the information called broken.
However, it should be noted that to deal with this in terms of recovery sectors may be broken.In principle, the software for testing the hard disk for the sector can produce broken not only by, but their recovery.
In terms of all the system is quite simple: a key role to play the correct checksums are overwritten in a bad sector.Another thing, when there is a mechanical damage to the surface of the hard drive, then the entry in this sector becomes simply impossible.Here the solution is to use a special reserve area of the disk where prescribed the correct checksum value.In fact, the logical address of the sector remains the same, but the physical location changes, although the read data is not affected completely.
standard means of checking the HDD in Windows
It goes without saying that in Windows has its own program to test hard drives (internal or external, logical partitions, and so on. D.).Call it in several ways.
simple method with which is called "native" program to test hard disks on Windows, is to use the line "Properties" from the context menu, accessed by pressing the right buttons (mouse) on the drive letter in the "Explorer. "On the "Service" is the start button of the verification process.By default the only correct system errors, but it is possible (and desirable) to use the optional automatic recovery of bad sectors.
Unfortunately, experience shows that "native" software testing hard drives does not always produce the expected result.In some cases, to start the process, you can use the command line or menu "Run" with the introduction of command chkdsk (indicating the drive letter or partition, as well as with the use of optional parameters).
For example, check the C drive with automatic error correction is as follows: chkdsk c: / f (the result will not take long).
You can also use the command to check the file system NTFS (chkntfs / xc :), while the standard test tool Check Disc will be removed.
Third-party applications to check
best to use a third-party utility.They are much more efficient.For example, the same test program HDD Victoria functionally much higher than the standard system tools.Among the most popular tools is worth mentioning applications such as ScanHDD, Norton Disc Doctor, and many others.
As a rule, all these tools work in automatic mode, where user intervention is minimized.In most cases, select the initial scan settings and to launch the start of the process.
Preparing access in BIOS (if you want)
In some cases, the hard disk test can not detect built-in or removable hard drive.To do this, you need to configure access the BIOS.
For the same utility Victoria in mode SATA-controller is necessary to change the setting from AHCI to IDE, as in the standard mode, the program simply does not accept the disk.
In addition, you need to boot from a USB drive, and use the best tools DOS-version (so you can test drive before booting OSes).
scanning process
If you look somewhat wider, you might say, what else might be required test speed hard drive, as this option may also have an impact on the emergence of failures and the occurrence of errors on the hard drive.
As for the scanning process, the principles on which it is made, are not much different from each other.Almost all utilities hide from the eyes of the user system processes related to the test, showing only the progress in percentage terms.
View Results and errors
Naturally, the program to test hard drives WD, that any other means of checking at the end of the scanning process gives detailed information on the hard drive, the time verification of the total volume of the disc, damaged and bug fixes, etc.. d.
It is worth noting some of the subtleties.If he hard drive or removable media is damaged badly, no program testing an external hard drive or built-in hard drive does not help.Of course, some programs are able to carry out such an analysis (the same Victoria).On the other hand, if it is found it is a lot of physical damage, it is better to buy a new hard drive and copy it from the old information.Ordinary users will make it very difficult, but in order and there are many service centers, where the process does not cause any difficulties.
Total
As you can see, we especially do not go into the technical side of the issue check the hard drive, and confined themselves to general questions.This is due only to the fact that the processes themselves are so complex that their understanding of the average user simply do not need.
On the other hand, it should be noted that all tools designed to scan the hard drive and restore their health, in terms of the organization of the interface simple enough.Look especially because the user does not need to "bother" in terms of the choice of parameters and immediate start of the verification process, or bug fixes.In this respect, except that with the exception of professional tools (again, Victoria), requiring knowledge of fine and specific settings for use outside environment of Windows.
As practice shows, the simplest of programs and applications of this type and their main features ordinary users enough, as they say, with the head.In addition, many utilities of this type are completely free and can be downloaded in minutes, and then install and use on your own.
Finally remains only to add that there is no need to even knowing what type of hard drive installed in a computer system.All processes are automated so that the use of such programs can even people far from completely understanding all of these principles work.
