Hard Drive tests, does corrupted files give false alarm?

[gregplus]

I tested WD hard drive it failed linear read test and after formating drive it passing this test (SMART test OK).

The question is will PC Doctor detect drive as bad if there are corrupted files or problems with file system/partition OR this mean that drive should be replaced?

So basically how do I know when I need to replace drive or when I have to do format?

[fwilson]

gregplus,

PCDR will not detect corrupted files per say.  It reads patterns off the drive and compares them.  There are many reasons files become corrupted that have nothing to do with the drive itself like a bad controller, RAM etc.

The SMART tests are a good indication of drive health.  As read and write errors occur, counters in the drives SMART logs are incremented.  When a predetermined threshold is exceeded you will see a SMART error.  When this happens, it is time to buy a new drive.  If the SMART tests pass the drive itself is most likely in good shape.

-Fred