How to Use SeaTools for DOS and Windows Disk Check Utility
Contents:
Information
Seatools is a powerful tool to analyze the Hard Drives. It can perform a lot of tests like Drive Self-test, Read-Write teat, SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) extraction and performs some advanced actions like bad sector repair.
Though Seatools can test all the brands of HDD, it performs the repair action for the Seagate brand HDD only.
Though Seatools can test all the brands of HDD, it performs the repair action for the Seagate brand HDD only.
Warning
It is always better that you back up your data.
OPTION ONE
Seatools for Windows
2. Click on I accept and then download. Install the program and run it within windows. It will take a time to scan the drivers, and then the program window will appear. Click on I accept. Now you are on the Seatools For Windows GUI.
3.(a) For Non Seatools Brand HDDs, you can perform Short Drive Self Test, Short Generic Test and Long Generic Test.
3.(b) For Seatools brand Hdds, you can perform all the tests.
Attempted a Basic Test > Fix All > Fast on a non SeaGate HDD, and here is the result.
So Repair works on SeaGate only, but you can test any brand of HDD.
Warning
You are suggested to not take the Advanced tests.
OPTION TWO
Seatools for DOS, Recommended
Information
If you are using AHCI storage controller, Seatools for DOS will not be able to detect a AHCI disc. So Boot into the BIOS, set the storage controller mode to IDE/SATA before running the test.
All the BIOSs are not the same, but usually this option is found in "Advanced" BIOS settings.
When the test is done, Boot into the BIOS again and set the controller mode back to AHCI, otherwise windows will refuse to boot.
All the BIOSs are not the same, but usually this option is found in "Advanced" BIOS settings.
When the test is done, Boot into the BIOS again and set the controller mode back to AHCI, otherwise windows will refuse to boot.2. Accept and download. It will come as a disc image file. Actually it is bundled with FreeDOS Operating System. It works as bootable, so it is to burn the downloaded ISO to either a blank CD or a USB pen drive.
PART - I: Writing the Image
1. For writing it to a CD/DVD, follow this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html
2. For writing it to an USB pen drive, the easy way is to use Win32 Disk Imager | Free Development software downloads at SourceForge.net
Note
The downloaded ISO will not be written to the USB Pen Drive as it is. You need to alter the .iso file a bit to make it writable. Very little job is involved.
- Download or install either 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR (not free).
- Extract the downloaded .iso file.
- Rename the SeaTools.ima to SeaTools.img.
- Burn the SeaTools.img file using Win32 Disk Imager
3. Download and double click to execute it. Select teh USB device, and browse for the renamed .img image.
4. Double click on the image, when found.
5. Click on Write.
6. A Confirm Overwrite message will appear. Click yes.
7. See the progress bar for a few seconds and the image is written and ready to boot from. PART - II: Booting from Seatools for DOS
1. Now it is to boot from the CD/DVD or USB. You may do it using two alternative ways.
- Enter into the BISO and change the BOOT order to CD (or USB) to first.
- Use the BIOS Boot Menu Key to get the list of all possible devices to boot from. Select the CD (or USB) by using the scroll arrow keys and enter.
Part - 3: TestingThere are three types of tests.
- Short Test;
- Long Test; and
- Acoustic Test.
For most of the cases, Short tests are enough. But if Short tests detect problems, Long tests are suggested.
Information
Long test has a mechanism to recover/repair some disc errors like BAD sectors. But the recovery/repair options work only for Seagate brand HDDs.
PART - IV: Results
Test results are of two types, in general.
- Passed; and
- Failed with errors; which may yield two possible alternative ultimate outcomes.
- Passed after repair
- Failed after repair
2. If the test result a failure, with bad sectors etc, it will suggest you to have a warranty replacement, with a supplied test code.
Click on "Done". It will supply you some options to repair the failures.
You need to opt for "Repair this one and all remaining".2.(a) If repairs are successful, it will show a result as passed after repair. It is good, too.
2.(b) But if the repair is unsuccessful, then there is no way but try to back up your data and replace the disc.
That’s all.
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