Need software to test a HD's integrity

Raymond Lin · 9 Jan 2013 at 19:34

Any recommendations?

Drobo threw a fit and basically think a HD died so I took it out, now put in an Icy Box, have formatted it so I want to test it.

What is good and preferably free software out there for OSX?

Thanks

Raymond Lin · 9 Jan 2013 at 22:30

shine said:
Open terminal:

diskutil list

Find the identifier for the drive you want to check (right hand most column) and then type:

diskutil info <identifier>

e.g. to check the internal drive in my MBP I would type:

diskutil info disk0

If the SMART status is verified then the drive should be good (at least that has worked for me).

Raymond Lin · 9 Jan 2013 at 22:32

uniQ said:
You could fsck it. My software of choice is Drive Genius 3. Not free but very very good especially at recovery of fudged drives.

Diskdrill also offer a free version but I've never thought much of it compared to Drive Genius or Disk Warrior.

I am not trying to recover any data, I just want to check the sectors on the drive to make sure it is all working.

Raymond Lin · 9 Jan 2013 at 22:51

shine said:
It can't read the smart status so you'll need another tool to confirm. I don't have any recommendations as it's not something I've needed.

It can't read Smart Status in my other external HD either.

Raymond Lin · 10 Jan 2013 at 16:47

Concorde Rules said:
Never found a piece of software on OS X that does what you want.

Run windows and use HD Tune Pro to write data to the entire disk.

That is how I test for dead sectors.

I knew I kept that 3 years old Netbook for a reason!