I’ve read numerous posts about checking a new hdd, SMART tests, writing data and checking etc. but this is about damage to the mechanical part (bearings etc).
Situation: New hdd comes in delivered by Amazon or other seller, visual inspection is ok (of course one would return if sign of physical damage is evident).
How can I check if the hdd has sustained an impact or a drop that has left no external damage but could limit its durability? I’m thinking about small internal damage that would be no apparent after power-on, but that would limit durability.
Would I use the same tools to check read/write functionality (SMART, Badblocks etc.)?
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You generally don’t. If it pass a read/write test, that is probably about as good as you can get.
Have good backups, and redundancy, and don’t worry about it.
With a single disk probably impossible.
But if you have the same HDD already and know it works reliable for some time then you could compare (run them in an open USB case or something during that). Also a good idea to gently touch them, so you can ‘feel’ the respective vibration patterns (good idea to wear an anti-static arm band thingy).
If the new disk —after some “warming up time” (e.g. after it has run for about a week. Use that time to do the zeroing out and SMART long test!)— is much louder, makes unusual clunky noises, scratching noises, high frequent peeps, or other strange sounds much worse than your old disk then may be worth exchanging it as precaution.
Basic mechanical tests are done during the SMART tests (e.g. if you run a short test you’ll hear).
Hard drives only write and read data, and everything is tested when you do such operations. It’s not like the engine is working but not the radio or I didn’t test the WiFi and the antena is busted or something.
Basically, I don’t think there is a way to check that. Usually, with the new drive you get a warranty, so even if it fails in some time you get the replacement.
Do not forget about backups since even healthy drives can fail at any moment for any reason, so you have to be prepared for that.