4Sep
How to check if your hard disk is working properly


Hard Disk Sentinel is a popular software utility that can help you monitor the health and performance of your hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD). Here’s how to check if your hard disk is working properly using Hard Disk Sentinel:

  1. Download and Install Hard Disk Sentinel:
    • Visit the official Hard Disk Sentinel website (https://www.hdsentinel.com/) to download the software.
    • Install the program on your computer by following the on-screen instructions.
  1. Launch Hard Disk Sentinel:
    • After installation, open the program from your desktop or start menu.
  2. View Drive Information:
    • Hard Disk Sentinel will automatically detect and display all the drives connected to your computer. You’ll see a list of drives in the main window.
  1. Check Drive Health:
    • Select the drive you want to check from the list.
    • You will see a summary of the drive’s health and performance in the main window. This includes information about the drive’s temperature, SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) attributes, and overall health status.
  2. Analyze SMART Data:
    • Click on the drive to select it.
    • Look at the SMART data section, which provides detailed information about the drive’s performance and any potential issues. Pay attention to attributes that have a “Good” status.
  3. Perform Tests:
    • Hard Disk Sentinel allows you to perform various tests on your drive to assess its performance and reliability. These tests include Short Self-test, Extended Self-test, and Conveyance Self-test.
    • To perform a test, right-click on the drive, select “Surface Test” or “Tests” from the context menu, and choose the appropriate test type.
  1. Monitor in Real-Time:
    • Hard Disk Sentinel can run in the background and provide real-time monitoring of your drive’s health and temperature. You can set up alerts to notify you if any issues are detected.
  2. Review and Interpret Data:
    • Regularly check the Hard Disk Sentinel interface for any changes in the drive’s health or performance. Pay attention to warnings or errors that may indicate potential problems.
  3. Backup Important Data:
    • If Hard Disk Sentinel reports critical issues or deteriorating drive health, it’s essential to back up your data immediately. A failing drive can fail completely, leading to data loss.
  4. Take Appropriate Action:
    • Depending on the severity of the issues detected, you may need to replace the hard disk or take other corrective actions, such as cleaning up your disk, freeing up space, or optimizing your system.

Remember that Hard Disk Sentinel is a valuable tool for monitoring your drives, but it’s not a guarantee against drive failures. Regular backups of your important data are still essential for data protection.