Western Digital Hard Disk Diagnostic Tool
The Western Digital Hardware diagnostic tool is a hardware testing program that can be run in the standard way or by putting it on a flash drive for booting even before the computer starts up. The WD Lifeguard diagnostic tool works for Windows10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. You can use the bootable program for the DOS application as well.
- You can download the Western Digital diagnostic tool from the Official western digital website.
- Once you see the file downloaded, you can extract and run the program.
- Right-click on the file and click on the option that reads Run as Administrator.
- You will see the license agreement window open up.
- Click on the check-boxes to agree to the terms and conditions of the diagnostic tool.
- On the main program screen, you will see two windows.
- You will notice the drives in your system that are available for testing.
- The model number, serial number, capacity, and the status of each drive present will be available.
- You can select a drive for which you want to scan. You can click or highlight the drive.
- The diagnostic tool comes with two types of scans,
- Quick test - Performs the test to gather and verify the data lifeguard information available in the drive.
- Extended test - Performs a full media scan and detects the bad sectors.
- The initial scan process may take hours based on the size of the drive.
- The tool also has an Erase option, and it writes down the zero value for the selected drive with two options namely,
- Full Erase
- Quick Erase
- The File System and the data will be lost if you perform the Erase test. It is advised to take a backup of important files that might be of later use to you.
- Click the View Test Result to view the latest scan result and also see what the affected files are.
- Once the full test is complete, you will be notified with a PASS/FAIL message.
- Click the Close button.