How to check a hard drive for errors and bad sectors - we are often asked and we know a simple solution! Perhaps the most important component of a PC is the hard disk drive (HDD), as it contains all the information created by the user. If more appear then replace it.The disk check program detects. If you decide to continue using it then you should keep regular backups and regularly check it with CrystalDiskInfo for signs of more bad sectors appearing. If it remains at a count of one, then I would continue to use it, but keep a careful eye on it and make regular backups. If the reallocated sector count increases after a full format, then I would replace it.

By using a full format you are telling the drive to test (and reallocate if necessary) every sector. By formatting the drive you are telling the drive's internal controller that none of the sectors are in use. If the data from your E: drive is backed up elsewhere then a good test would be to perform a full format (not a quick format) on E. So far it has continued to work perfectly and has not developed any more bad sectors. I have a machine with just one reallocated sector on its (only) HDD that has been there to my knowledge for the last two and half years. It could be an early warning sign, or it could go on for years without developing any more reallocated sectors. Should you continue to use it? Well, that very much depends on how important to you is the data you keep on it. When no longer in use it will be tested by the drive's internal controller and either reallocated or, if found to be good, removed from the 'pending' count.

A pending sector is one that may need reallocating, but is in use at present. A count of more than 100 would be fairly conclusive evidence, particularly if the Reallocated Sector Count or the Current Pending Sector Count increase with time. How long it will stay that way is difficult to say.Ī reallocated sector is a sign that the drive may be dying, but just one reallocated sector is not sufficient to condemn it. Having replace a faulty sector, the drive should be full functional (for now).

How to read crystaldiskinfo results