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Is there software that can check the health/error status of the Elements Desktop?
I have had the hard drive for two years, so I would like to know how I can run a check-up to look out for any potential problems. A freeware solution is preferable.
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nonosh's pick
Western Digital offers a free set of tools designed to check their hard disks. They are called Western Digital Data Lifeguard. Here is a link
support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=304&a...
Also WD makes you select your model, but this software works for any WD hard drive, external or internal.
Install it and run the full tests. There will be an option for quick or full/long tests. The quick test is only a SMART test which checks with one part. The full test will actually tell you if you are failing. Also for two years you should still be under warranty and if you need an RMA you will need the results from a datalifeguard scan.
support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=304&a...
Also WD makes you select your model, but this software works for any WD hard drive, external or internal.
Install it and run the full tests. There will be an option for quick or full/long tests. The quick test is only a SMART test which checks with one part. The full test will actually tell you if you are failing. Also for two years you should still be under warranty and if you need an RMA you will need the results from a datalifeguard scan.
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nonosh's pick
Go on WD's site to the support area. They have a drive checker you can download.
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I'm going out on a whim here, but I think that Windows can check the status of a USB disk as a part of the OS (I know if can do internal hard drives). Go into an administrator command prompt, and type chkdsk [drive letter here]: /f /r - so if your external drive was say, lettedrB, it would look like this: chkdsk b: /f /r
It may prompt you to perform the check on the next reboot. That command will scan the drive for bad sectors/corruption and will attempt to fix them if there are any.
Happy checking!
It may prompt you to perform the check on the next reboot. That command will scan the drive for bad sectors/corruption and will attempt to fix them if there are any.
Happy checking!
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Assuming you're using Windows Vista or 7, you can just type chkdsk into the start menu and hit enter. It will ask you which drive you want to check.
This simplifies things and prevents any weird errors from trying to do something manually and typing it incorrectly.
This simplifies things and prevents any weird errors from trying to do something manually and typing it incorrectly.
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I use the Windows "chkdsk" utility on a regular basis from the Windows shell (which shouldn't be any different than the command-line command). However, I was looking for a comprehensive analyzer which incorporates S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) tools. The support page on Western Digital's website indeed provides what I needed.
Thank you, fellow geeks, for your advice; I appreciate it!
Thank you, fellow geeks, for your advice; I appreciate it!
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