App for testing Hdd

Lethagized · 18 Aug 2008 at 21:19

Is there a tool or application that could test my 250gb western digital spare hdd? It's an IDE hdd going through a IDE to SATA converter PCI card, because my mobo only has 1 IDE slot and thats being used for the dvd burners. I have the hdd wired to a switch and whenever i need to access it, i turn the pc off, flick the hdd switch on, then boot it back up again. It's been like this for years without hassle, but lately i've noticed that my pc randomly freezes up completley when accessing this hdd.

Could i have my 2 dvd burners and hdd on the same IDE cable? as i think it could be a driver problem with the converter card

Ive also noticed that a lot of pictures stored on this hdd do not work anymore, it just says preview not available. Also mp-3's sometimes work, other times they do not.

Ive tried a check disk in xp, but it gets to sector 4 and freezes the computer up..even the mouse pointer freezes along with the clock.

Any suggestions folks?, i have a load of data on it, and would like to get it all backed up before a reformat.

Dangerous · 18 Aug 2008 at 21:52

WD HDD Tester @ http://support.wdc.com/dlg/

Lethagized · 18 Aug 2008 at 21:57

Tried that, but it scans through the hdd, then the computer freezes?!

Dangerous · 18 Aug 2008 at 21:59

In that case the drive is probably on its way out - To confirm can you put that HDD in another PC and run that? If it crashes check warranty and create a RMA.

Lethagized · 18 Aug 2008 at 22:24

Well, to be fair it is about 6 years old, but it does not get used much at all. When the switch is off, it's not even spinning. I can't RMA it, i bought it from ALDI for £65 and i dont have the reciept. lol

Right now, ive plugged it straight into the IDE slot on the mobo, and it *seems* to be ok so far. hopefully it is just a problem with the pci raid card or card driver problem. Im hoping it will complete the chkdsk which leads me to my earlier question...Can i plug my 2 burners and hdd onto the same cable?

Dangerous · 18 Aug 2008 at 22:56

Its the the standard but yeah I run 2 DVD on the same channel and don't have any problems - It used to be a big issue back in the .