There are many free software diagnostic tools available to test and help you determine what, if anything, is wrong when you suspect there may be a problem with a hard drive.
Some of these tools are built in to your operating system already and are ready to use right now while others are available from your hard drive manufacturer.
Interested in some slightly more costly but arguably better third-party hard drive tools?- Microsoft Windows Built-In Error Checking
- Seagate SeaTools
- Hitachi Drive Fitness Test
- Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic
