Hard Drive (HDD) Diagnostics (Sea Tools for DOS) & SSD Test

SeaTools for DOS - Hard Drive Diagnostics

1. Download the SeaTools (for DOS) ISO image file --> SeaTools for DOS - Hard Drive (HDD) Diagnostics (ISO) | Seagate
»Direct ISO File download from the aforementioned page - http://www.seagate.com/files/www-co...tools/_shared/downloads/SeaToolsDOS223ALL.ISO​

2. Burn the SeaTools ISO to a CD-R disc with ImgBurn --> The Official ImgBurn Website
»Direct executable installation file download from the aforementioned page - http://download.imgburn.com/SetupImgBurn_2.5.8.0.exe​


Installing Imgburn - Unwanted 3rd Party Apps

Be cautious when installing ImgBurn. No data damage or Windows OS damage can occur, but you could end up installing some garbage items on your system that are definitely unwanted.

Like most 3rd party apps these days, the actual ImgBurn program installation may include worthless 3rd party apps that will be installed on your system unless you un-check the box(es) during ImgBurn installation. You do not want or need these useless additional 3rd party apps for ImgBurn to work properly.


ImgBurn Custom Installation Instructions
When installing Imgburn, be sure to select "Custom Installation" on the two screens presented (if such an option/screen presents itself) and un-check the boxes for (to prevent) the installation of unwanted 3rd party apps such as AVG Toolbar & others.


ImgBurn - Select "Write image file to disc" -

imgburn-png.15736



3. Boot your system with the SeaTools CD. Run LONG test. You may need to change the BIOS "firing order" of the drives in BIOS to assure that the DVD drive is read first & prior to any internal hard drives. If you are unsure as to how to do this, simply post requesting assistance. We are more than happy to help you.

4. If SeaTools comes up OK, run HDD manufacturer's diagnostics --> Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.


NOTE: You may have to change BIOS settings from AHCI to IDE.


For SSDs - SSD life - tool for solid state drives health and endurance monitoring

SSDs - SeaTools for DOS can now be used for SSDs.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2


EDIT: 1 October 2019

Execute Seatools for DOS from a USB Stick

I checked at the SeaTools site and found that they offer a tool/app, filename = USBbootSetup-SeaToolsBootable.zip that you can download; run the EXE inside the zip file (SeaToolsBootable_RC_2.1.2.usbBootMaker.exe) and create a bootable USB stick for SeaTools with DOS on it.

As with the CD/DVD, you will obviously be booting from the media device that you just created - the USB stick. To successfully boot from the USB stick, you MAY require a BIOS "Firing Order" change to ensure that the system looks to the USB ports first for bootable media - before looking/ defaulting to the hard drive or CD/DVD drive to boot your system.

If you require assistance to change your BIOS settings to ensure that the USB ports are first in line during boot-up, simply post your system manufacturer's name and the EXACT model number of the system. The model number can usually be obtained from the sticker found on the case of a desktop PC or from the label on the bottom of a laptop. It is very important to have the correct model number to ensure that you are provided with the correct instructions.

Here is a listing of the BIOS key sequence by system manufacturer, which will cause your system to boot, then bring you to the BIOS screen. On most systems, you press and/or tap an F-key repeatedly during boot-up to bring up the BIOS menu.

Get access to BIOS settings & Boot Menu: F-keys/Hotkeys by System Manufacturer (OEM)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CREATING A BOOTABLE USB MEDIA DEVICE

The SeaTools USB creator app is the first selection on this page (under "Downloads") - SeaTools | Seagate Support US

... and is called SeaTools Bootable

Here is the direct link for the ZIP file download (not sure if it will work or not) - https://www.seagate.com/files/old-support-files/seatools/USBbootSetup-SeaToolsBootable.zip

Good luck to you.

Please post if you have any questions.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

 

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For users using Windows 8/8.1, please see: Sysnative Forums - post #63362

Tekno Venus said:
Hi,

This is because SeaTools requires the HDD to be configured in a compatibility mode to work. This is not the default configuration for Windows 8.

In the UEFI, you will need to change the HDD mode from AHCI to IDE. Then boot and run SeaTools. After the test is finished, reboot into the UEFI again and change it back. Then boot into Windows as normal. Windows will not boot in IDE mode, so remember to change it back.

If you have issues with this, let me know. It is hard for me to be more specific, because I do not have a Windows 8, or a UEFI system to test it on!

Stephen
Click to expand...
This can sometimes be an issue on Windows 7 systems too.
 
Other tools:
  1. Freeware HD Tune 2.55, 12 Feb 2008 is an excellent diagnostic tool
  2. Freeware PassMark DiskCheckup 3.4 (build 1003), 3 Feb 2017
  3. Freeware HDDScan 4.1, 1 Sep 2019
  4. Seagate Internal Hard Drive Troubleshooter
  5. Western Digital Corporation (WDC) Lifeguard testing
  6. Kingston SSD Manager - Monitor Drive Health and Usage | Kingston
  7. TACKtech Corp: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage)
  8. Opensource CrystalDiskInfo 8.9.0 Alpha2, 29 Nov 2020
  9. Opensource GSmartControl 1.1.3, 2017-11-12
    Hard disk drive (HDD) and SSD health inspection tool

    GSmartControl Overview

    GSmartControl is a graphical user interface for smartctl. It allows you to inspect the hard disk and solid-state drive SMART data to determine its health, as well as run various tests on it.
    Click to expand...

    Download GSmartControl from SourceForge.net

    See this Sysnative thread by Softwaremaniac - Win 10 Freezing and DISM and SFC won't complete

    Full instructions by softwaremaniacFollow the instructions below to check your SMART status with GSmartControl:
    • Download the portable version of GSmartControl and save it on your Desktop;
    • Extract the zip file to your Desktop. Open the folder gsmartcontrol-1.1.3-win64 which should be located on your Desktop and double-click gsmartcontrol.exe to launch the program.
    • Identify your drive in the list (if recognized by the tool), and hover your mouse over it.
    • You should see something called: SMART status. It will either read: Enabled, in which case you should do the following:
    • Double-click on it to bring up its window (usually you'll find your drive by its size or its brand name);
    • Go to the Self-Tests tab, then select Extended Self-test in the Test type drop-down list and click on Execute (this test can take a few hours to complete);
    • Once the test is over, the results will be displayed at the bottom of the window. Please copy and paste these results in your next reply or take a screenshot;
    • Also, go in the Attributes tab and if you have any entries highlighted in red or pink, take a screenshot of the GSmartControl window and attach it in your next reply;
    • Please note: If the SMART Status reads: Unsupported, stop and let me know.
      info_failing.png
  10. Paid Hard Disk Sentinel 5.61.12, 3 Dic 2020 HDD/SSD health and temperature monitoring
  11. Carrona.org: Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure
  12. MSDN blog (2009): Support and Q&A for Solid-State Drives
 

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