Best hard drive health software?

Bree said:

I'm surprised no one has yet suggested Samsung's own free software, Samsung Magician.

SSD Tools & Software | Download | Samsung V-NAND SSD | Samsung Semiconductor Global Website

Attachment 322190

I didn't see those options because my version of Magician wasn't current. I've updated it. Is it safe to run the Full diagnostic scan while the OS is being actively used?

lbeachmike said:

... Is it safe to run the Full diagnostic scan while the OS is being actively used?

Seems to be, the only downside will be that it will slow the system a bit, there's quite a lot of CPU activity...

lbeachmike said:

Is it safe to run the Full diagnostic scan while the OS is being actively used?

I don't have any Samsung SSDs right now, but I'd suspect that a "full diagnostic scan" will be very intense and increase drive temps a lot and may take several hours. Therefore, I'd probably try to limit PC usage while it is running. Maybe do it overnight.

My Intel SSD drive "full scan" took 6 hours (for a 2 TB drive), with temps reaching the low 70s.

ignatzatsonic said:

I don't have any Samsung SSDs right now.... My Intel SSD drive "full scan" took 6 hours (for a 2 TB drive), with temps reaching the low 70s.

I'm running the Full scan now on an 860 EVO 500GB (and typing this reply on the same machine). At current rate of progress (18% done in 30 mins) it should take nearly 3 hours to test 500GB. Temp is 26°C (79°F).

Bree said:

I'm running the Full scan now on an 860 EVO 500GB (and typing this reply on the same machine). At current rate of progress (18% done in 30 mins) it should take nearly 3 hours to test 500GB. Temp is 26°C (79°F).

Maybe Samsung scan differs from Intel??

Dunno.

My Intel "full diagnostic scan" as below wrote 3 TB in 6.5 hours...more than I'd normally write to it in a year.

It was a brand new data disc containing nothing, run immediately after format.


Max temp was 73 C, short of the critical 80, but far higher than normally seen.

Bree said:

I'm running the Full scan now on an 860 EVO 500GB (and typing this reply on the same machine). At current rate of progress (18% done in 30 mins) it should take nearly 3 hours to test 500GB. Temp is 26°C (79°F).

My full scan on 1TB Samsung QVO 870 completed in less than 30 minutes. No errors reported.

ignatzatsonic said:

Maybe Samsung scan differs from Intel??.....It was a brand new data disc containing nothing, run immediately after format..

lbeachmike said:

My full scan on 1TB Samsung QVO 870 completed in less than 30 minutes. No errors reported.

Maybe mine will speed up when it gets past the used data, my SSD is nearly half full.....

@lbeachmike, sounds to me like it's time to run sfc /scannow as has been recommended
BTW, using Command Prompt as Administrator, you can type sfc/scannow w/o any spaces

AddRAM's post #2
"Did you run a simple System File Check, run Command Prompt as Administrator and type sfc /scannow and hit enter."

MeAndMyComputer said:

@lbeachmike, sounds to me like it's time to run sfc /scannow as has been recommended
BTW, using Command Prompt as Administrator, you can type sfc/scannow w/o any spaces

AddRAM's post #2
"Did you run a simple System File Check, run Command Prompt as Administrator and type sfc /scannow and hit enter."

Thanks, but could you clarify why this is being recommended? I am back on Win7 and about to upgrade to Win10, so is there any benefit to verifying system files *before* upgrade? It may be confusing to keep up with where I'm at

This is an upgrade checklist: (modified for upgrading 7 to 10)

Code:

UPGRADE CHECK LIST:
Run through this check list before the next upgrade attempt:

1) remove nonessential hardware
docks
USB devices
printers
headset
speakers
joysticks
projectors
scanners
plotters
portable optical drives (CD, DVD)
microphones
cameras
webcams
smartphones
bluetooth devices
USB drives (other than a windows 10 iso if used for the upgrade)
USB Wireless Mouse or Keyboard Receiver, USB Wireless Network Card
secondary monitors


2) These should be the only attached devices:
wired mouse
wired keyboard
monitor

Any of these that have been done in the past week are not necessary to repeat:


3) open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste: (repair file system)
chkdsk /r /v C:
This may take many hours so plan to run overnight
Find the chkdsk report in the event viewer using the information in this link and post into the thread:
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96938-check-disk-chkdsk-read-event-viewer-log.html

4) open administrative command prompt and copy and paste: (repair operating system)
sfc /scannow 

When this has completed > right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on edit then copy > paste into the thread

5) update windows (have all recommended updates installed) and reboot after updates

6) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft antivirus software
(This includes always on and manual software.)
(This includes running the applicable antivirus uninstall tools for any AV that could have been incompletely uninstalled)
https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2625/
(And this includes uninstalling Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) immediately before the upgrade attempt)

7) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft firewall software

8) List all Microsoft and non-Microsoft drive encryption software. 
Uninstall all non-Microsoft disk encryption software

9) Run disk cleanup to clean temporary and system files
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/818-disk-cleanup-open-use.html

10) Create and verify that the drive has > 30 GB free space (At least 25 GB is needed for maintaining certain dump files)
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/129976-hard-disk-space-free-up-recover.html
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html


11) Consider placing the computer in clean startup:
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/179159-troubleshoot-application-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

12) Detach all SATA devices other than the disk drive that has the Windows operating system
(Make sure that the only disk drive that is attached to the computer at the time of the upgrade attempt is the disk drive containing Windows)
(Other disk drives may be able to be detached by disconnecting cables or if necessary to remove the drive from the computer)

13) Make sure that there is no metered connection:  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17452/windows-metered-internet-connections-faq

14) Consider making a free backup image:
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/218920-macrium-reflect-create-bootable-rescue-usb-drive.html

15) Test the drive:
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/313457-seatools-dos-windows-how-use.html
Crystal Disk standard edition:
https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/