HDD/SDD Test/check software - recommendations? Don't mind paid software

TheBigCheese · 13 Jan 2020 at 01:34

Hi guys

I've got a lot of HDD/SSD drives that I would like to keep an eye on, both that are occasionally connected to the computer, and those that are permanently connected. They are all local to my machine, no big network management or anything, just a home computer.

I've been using HD Tune free version, but it's so old now (last updated in 2008) and doesn't recognise my new 14TB external backup drive properly.

What's the recommended software these days for checking and keeping an eye on drives? I know there are free versions but they are limited in what they do, some not offering monitoring etc.

I don't mind paying a reasonable amount of it helps to keep an eye on things, so I can be alerted to a failing drive before it starts doing the death knocks!

I'd rather not use the manufacturers software as I'd be installing a version for each brand of drive, I just want one decent, easy to understand install that'll quietly monitor and perform scans and checks when I ask it to.

Thanks very much.

Mcnumpty2323 · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:09

Crystaldisk info
May do it
Tells you all the features on their Web site

Steampunk · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:41

Check out Hard Disk Sentinel.

TheBigCheese · 14 Jan 2020 at 00:49

Cheers Mcnumpty2323, I've had a look at the two Crystaldisk software versions. They are useful for what they are, but not what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the recommendation Steampunk. I've just downloaded the trial, wow, it looks amazing! Pro license allows use on 3 machines, lifetime updates, loads of features and the sector check I was after!

Unless anyone has a recommendation to check out, I think that may be the one! :cool:

Mcnumpty2323 · 14 Jan 2020 at 01:01

TheBigCheese said:
Cheers Mcnumpty2323, I've had a look at the two Crystaldisk software versions. They are useful for what they are, but not what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the recommendation Steampunk. I've just downloaded the trial, wow, it looks amazing! Pro license allows use on 3 machines, lifetime updates, loads of features and the sector check I was after!

Unless anyone has a recommendation to check out, I think that may be the one!

No worries
There's a sub forum titled useful freeware software
May be something in there
But might involve a bit of time to look through it
Though hopefully it's in categories to make life easier

TheBigCheese · 14 Jan 2020 at 02:02

Yeah, I did have a look through that before posting.

The ones I looked at seemed to be a bit out of date or very specialist without the full functionality that Sentinel seems to have. One even had malware in it according to Virus Total (wish I could remember which it was, I'd report it).

Mcnumpty2323 · 14 Jan 2020 at 11:57

There's nearly always a free alternative software
But sometimes it's a lot of time and effort involved to find exactly what you need
Sometimes it's worth paying out to avoid that~especially if there's a way to claim the cost of the software as a business expense
Comes down to would I rather just pay X amount compared to spend X amount of my time looking for and trying out software usually

Steampunk · 14 Jan 2020 at 12:04

TheBigCheese said:
Thanks for the recommendation Steampunk. I've just downloaded the trial, wow, it looks amazing! Pro license allows use on 3 machines, lifetime updates, loads of features and the sector check I was after!

Unless anyone has a recommendation to check out, I think that may be the one!

Hard Disk Sentinel can do an awful lot, and it's one of the few programs that can correctly use RAID interfaces. Even the sector checks come in six different versions. It will sit there doing whatever checks you want, whenever you want, and will raise alerts or send emails when something breaches your thresholds. I've never found anything that is as comprehensive.

TheBigCheese · 14 Jan 2020 at 13:30

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input.

You're spot on there Mcnumpty2323, it is cost vs time, and the cost for the pro version with lifetime updates and working on 5 PCs is just over £21 with a discount code...that's definitely money well spent in my book.

Thanks for the confirmation Steampunk, I don't understand all the features it offers, I do know what I'm looking for and it covers them all and more, so I think it's a must buy.

Thanks again guys, Hard Disk Sentinel it is!