User friendly way to test SSD HD

Many manufacturers have software to monitor their drives, like Samsung's Magician. These will give basic diagnostic status.

A program a lot of folks like is HD Tune. Another is AS SSD Benchmark, Crystal Disk, SSDLIfe.

Please explain "Pre boot tests". That could mean a few things.

Beeping, and errors on POST (Power On Startup Test) mean that there is a hardware problem or BIOS problem.
The POST will signal GOOD with one beep on systems that still have a motherboard speaker.

You can clear up many POST problems by doing a "CMOS Reset" (or ClearCMOS, or CLRTC)


If there is a hardware problem, and you suspect it is the SSD, you can test by physically disconnecting the SSD (unplug the data and power connectors with PC off) and then starting the computer. You should disconnect ALL hard drives for this test.
The OS will not start of course. You will get an error message telling you there is no operating system. That's OK. You just want to see if you get the POST error without any hard drives installed.
Let us know the results.

Now Dells also have their own diagnostic startup process and this can occur after the POST. It is important to know when you get the beeping.
If it is the Dell diagnostic beeping then you can usually find a diagnostic code (either with lights or alpha-numerical LEDs) that can be looked up to see what they error could be caused by.
Let us know if this is the case.

I gave you the instructions to post images on TenForums so you could post the hard drive diagnostic results. Someone here can look at those and tell you what the numbers mean.

Typical ClearCMOS/CLRTC Procedure:

• Note all your current BIOS settings
• Find the CLRTC jumper block on your motherboard (check your manual)
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v motherboard battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and reset all your preferred settings. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time in BIOS.