Checking if HDD is failing

Hello,
In my main PC (2nd system specs) I have an SSD and two mechanical HDDs. While the computer is working with the screen off, I occasionally hear a weird sound like a disk is stopping abruptly. I switch on the screen, Windows still works, no hanging. I checked both disks with Hard Disk Sentinel and they have 100% health and 100% performance. Both passed the short test, I didn't do the long test yet because it will take too much time. Is anything I can do to confirm that the disks are OK or that one of them is failing? Any reading in Hard Disk Sentinel or other utility? Both contain over 2TB data and I wouldn't like to lose them and I would want to avoid the expense to buy two other disks to backup/replace them both if they are OK and still under Warranty. Thanks.

Unusual noises: The hard drive makes loud humming, scratching, clicking, or grinding noises?

Jacee said:

Unusual noises: The hard drive makes loud humming, scratching, clicking, or grinding noises?

Click to expand...

It's been many years since I heard the Click of Death from any of my drives.

spindle repositioning the arm for low power mode

Well here is the perpetual conundrum.

You are worrying about disk failing.

You can do all the tests in the world and drive could fail the next day.

The two Golden Rules of Computing are:

1) Always backup your data.

2) If any doubt, refer back to rule 1.

The essence of Rule 1 is that all drives fail - it is just a question of when.

Of course, the naughty computer gremlins will make sure a drive will fail if no backup. They are less naughty if you have a backup (more work for them).

So you should be asking yourself if you need additional backups.

If the data is critical, then additional backup drives are essential NOT optional.

I backup up my critical data to a second hard drive AND onedrive.

Cloud backup of critical data meets another data aspiration of having a backup of critical data physically stored elsewhere e.g. in case of fire/flood.

You do not say if one of the 2 HDDs is a backup to the other.

If they have separate data, you really need additional drives.

If one is a backup of the other, then maybe you do not.

However, I strongly recommend you make sure your critical data (data that would be disastrous to lose) is backed up to at least two places.

Fortunately, critical data is usually only a small portion of one's total data

Thankfully no critical data, only downloads. One contains applications and games, the other videos, but I wouldn't want to lose either. However is not cost effective to buy two new disks to make a full backup of both. I do a backup of the videos and data from time to time, just not regularly. The question is, can I see some status or warning with Hard Disk Sentinel? Assuming I take the time and do the long test and both pass. Then what?

For additional drive testing:



1) Run: Long generic test



and / or


2) Run: Extended Self-test


Click Self-Tests tab > Test type > Extended Self-test > Execute (run overnight)

Copy and paste the results > post a share link



Click Attributes tab > for any entries that are red or pink post share links of the full results window

Backup first before you fiddling with it

spapakons said:

Thankfully no critical data, only downloads. One contains applications and games, the other videos, but I wouldn't want to lose either. However is not cost effective to buy two new disks to make a full backup of both. I do a backup of the videos and data from time to time, just not regularly. The question is, can I see some status or warning with Hard Disk Sentinel? Assuming I take the time and do the long test and both pass. Then what?

Click to expand...

The problem with tests is they may not help.

if they detect issues, then you know.

If they do not detect issues, it may give you more confidence BUT that is no guarantee.

Tests only really detect read write issues. Drives can fail for other reasons e.g. the interface electronic components.

If you do not get backup drives, then, in the end, you are taking a gamble.

A compromise could be to make sure any downloads you really would not like to use is copied to both drives.

Be really sure no critical data is on either drive (installation codes, photos of dear old Gran etc.)

I have copied almost all my videos (except those added a couple of week later) to another disk, and most my data to another disk, so the impact wouldn't be big. I will copy more data when I find some time.

This link has information on 3 common failures: