Download Pc-Check

Pc-Check
Diagnostics for AT-Style Personal Computers
Assuming that SMART itself is enabled, then, if Check SMART First
is also enabled, the Read Test, Read Verify Test, Non-destructive
Write Test, Destructive Write Test, Mechanics Stress Test and Internal
Cache Test perform an initial ‘quick check’ of the SMART Summary
Error Log for the commands that they issue. For example, the Read
Test will check for previous failures of the READ SECTOR(S) and
READ SECTOR(S) EXT commands prior to executing the actual
test.
If any failures are found, the test is failed outright, because SMART has
already established that the drive is faulty. This can decrease test time
significantly for drives that support the SMART feature set, and
which have already logged failures via SMART.
Note: “Check SMART First” should not be confused with “Enable
SMART”. The latter ensures that SMART itself is activated on
the drive at a fundamental level, and continues to apply after
Pc-Check has terminated. The former is an option within a PcCheck session which causes Pc-Check to behave in the way
described above.
HPA Protection
The Host Protected Area is an area located at the end of the physical disk.
Applications and certain operating system functions cannot access this area.
This area is typically used to store system restoration data (so you can
restore your operating system etc. to the state they were in when you or your
manufacturer imaged your machine). It can also have other functions such as
storing incremental backups etc.
When HPA protection is enabled, (potentially) destructive tests (NonDestructive Write, Destructive Write and Internal Cache Test) will NOT test
this area for safety reasons. The Read Test, Read Verify Test, and Mechanics
Stress Test will always test this area.
When HPA protection is disabled, all tests will use this area during testing. A
prominent warning is displayed on screen when the user disables HPA
protection, to ensure that they understand what they are doing.
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