What exactly are the differences between Complete surface analysis, refresh, reinitialize and a regular surface scan? Give me specifics.
This is what will determine if I need standard or pro.
Complete surface analysis vs. Surface scan
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hdsentinel
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Re: Complete surface analysis vs. Surface scan
Generally the trial versions show the complete description of each tests when you open the Disk menu -> Surface test window.
Read test - which means complete surface analysis:
Reads the disk surface to verify if all sectors are accessible and readable.
The test is safe, it does not affect stored data.
Disk problems may remain hidden and revealed disk issues are NOT fixed (like with ScanDisk).
The test measures transfer time for all blocks to reveal which areas of the surface are slower. As the block is slower, the associated color is darker.
Read + write + read test (refresh stored data)
Reads stored data from each blocks, writes back the contents and finally reads the information and compare with original contents. By the extensive test, an additional write cycle is used before writing back the contents to improve the efficiency of the error correction (drive regeneration).
The operation is usually safe for the stored information but data loss may occur if the system is not stable and/or upon power failure, overclocking, memory/power supply/cable problems and other factors.
The test can be used to refresh the data area of the storage device, without the need of complete erase but it is still recommended to backup important data before this test.
The test measures transfer time for all blocks to reveal which areas of the surface are slower. As the block is slower, the associated color is darker.
Reinitialise disk surface
Overwrites the disk surface with special initialization pattern to restore the sectors to default (empty) status and reads back sector contents, to verify if they are accessible and consistent. Forces the analysis of any weak sectors and verifies any hidden problems and fixes them by reallocation of bad sectors (this is drive regeneration).
Enables better use of the disk as after the test the spare area will be used instead of any problematic sectors.
Very intensive and time-consuming test, especially if the level (the number of overwrite cycles) is set to higher value.
The simple version of this test is usually (incorrectly) called as low level format by other tools.
The test measures transfer time for all blocks to reveal which areas of the surface are slower. As the block is slower, the associated color is darker.
Also there are other, hardware tests (Disk menu -> Short self test, Extended self test) functions are available. These can be started manually in both versions - and automatically / scheduled with the Pro version to perform regular testing to reveal problems.
Personally I'd more recommend the Pro version due to the higher testing / repairing functions. Also the Pro will have a new test soon, designed to easily and safely repair hard disk problems.
For more details about the tests, please check the Help -> Hard Disk Tests section in the software or on-line at:
http://www.hdsentinel.com/help/en/62_testfaq.html
http://www.hdsentinel.com/help/en/58_test.html
http://www.hdsentinel.com/help/en/61_surfacetest.html
Read test - which means complete surface analysis:
Reads the disk surface to verify if all sectors are accessible and readable.
The test is safe, it does not affect stored data.
Disk problems may remain hidden and revealed disk issues are NOT fixed (like with ScanDisk).
The test measures transfer time for all blocks to reveal which areas of the surface are slower. As the block is slower, the associated color is darker.
Read + write + read test (refresh stored data)
Reads stored data from each blocks, writes back the contents and finally reads the information and compare with original contents. By the extensive test, an additional write cycle is used before writing back the contents to improve the efficiency of the error correction (drive regeneration).
The operation is usually safe for the stored information but data loss may occur if the system is not stable and/or upon power failure, overclocking, memory/power supply/cable problems and other factors.
The test can be used to refresh the data area of the storage device, without the need of complete erase but it is still recommended to backup important data before this test.
The test measures transfer time for all blocks to reveal which areas of the surface are slower. As the block is slower, the associated color is darker.
Reinitialise disk surface
Overwrites the disk surface with special initialization pattern to restore the sectors to default (empty) status and reads back sector contents, to verify if they are accessible and consistent. Forces the analysis of any weak sectors and verifies any hidden problems and fixes them by reallocation of bad sectors (this is drive regeneration).
Enables better use of the disk as after the test the spare area will be used instead of any problematic sectors.
Very intensive and time-consuming test, especially if the level (the number of overwrite cycles) is set to higher value.
The simple version of this test is usually (incorrectly) called as low level format by other tools.
The test measures transfer time for all blocks to reveal which areas of the surface are slower. As the block is slower, the associated color is darker.
Also there are other, hardware tests (Disk menu -> Short self test, Extended self test) functions are available. These can be started manually in both versions - and automatically / scheduled with the Pro version to perform regular testing to reveal problems.
Personally I'd more recommend the Pro version due to the higher testing / repairing functions. Also the Pro will have a new test soon, designed to easily and safely repair hard disk problems.
For more details about the tests, please check the Help -> Hard Disk Tests section in the software or on-line at:
http://www.hdsentinel.com/help/en/62_testfaq.html
http://www.hdsentinel.com/help/en/58_test.html
http://www.hdsentinel.com/help/en/61_surfacetest.html
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spgreenfield
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 2016.11.20. 20:48
Re: Complete surface analysis vs. Surface scan
Not trying to sound really stupid, but I'm currently replacing my 2nd hard drive in a 2nd computer within a couple months. The 1st one was failing slowly - the 2nd one was out of the blue. I am bound and determined to not get caught like this again so I bought a family license and will install on all our computers! Now, WHERE can I go to learn WHAT it is that I've bought?!?!?! I am totally self-taught, learned on a dos machine and have expanded my knowledge with each "catastrophe" that has come along. I understand the logic of computers and can read really well! Help? 