First, thank you for providing such a robust and powerful tool. I've used the Pro version for several years now and could not imagine how I would manage without it.
My question concerns the Configuration dialog for the Surface Test that reinitalizes the disk surface. What I would like to know is what does the "Surface reinitialization level" setting control? I've looked throughout the documentation and connot find an answer.
Thank you.
Surface Test - Advanced Options
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hdsentinel
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Re: Surface Test - Advanced Options
Thanks for your message and kind words!
The "level" option defines the number of overwrite passes with special initialization patterns before complete clearing and verification of the disk surface.
Excuse me, it may be a bit hidden in the Help
Help -> Hard disk tests -> Surface test:
Reinitialize disk surface - Overwrites the disk surface with special initialization pattern to restore the sectors to default (empty) status and reads back sector contents, to verify if they are accessible and consistent. Forces the analysis of any weak sectors and verifies any hidden problems and fixes them by reallocation of bad sectors (this is drive regeneration).
Enables better use of the disk as after the test the spare area will be used instead of any problematic sectors.
Very intensive and time-consuming test, especially if the level (the number of overwrite cycles) is set to higher value.
The "level" option defines the number of overwrite passes with special initialization patterns before complete clearing and verification of the disk surface.
Excuse me, it may be a bit hidden in the Help
Help -> Hard disk tests -> Surface test:
Reinitialize disk surface - Overwrites the disk surface with special initialization pattern to restore the sectors to default (empty) status and reads back sector contents, to verify if they are accessible and consistent. Forces the analysis of any weak sectors and verifies any hidden problems and fixes them by reallocation of bad sectors (this is drive regeneration).
Enables better use of the disk as after the test the spare area will be used instead of any problematic sectors.
Very intensive and time-consuming test, especially if the level (the number of overwrite cycles) is set to higher value.
Re: Surface Test - Advanced Options
Sorry if that complimentary question has been solved already; but the detailed help manual does not consider that question ; reinitializing the disc surface results in data loss ? This is crucial for me to know if I have to backup priorily tons of datas ; thanks for answering OLIVIER GEBUHRER
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hdsentinel
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- Posts: 3128
- Joined: 2008.07.27. 17:00
- Location: Hungary
- Contact:
Re: Surface Test - Advanced Options
Yes, I can confirm: reinitializing the hard disk surface results in data loss.
This is described at the description of that test:
Overwrites the disk surface with special initialization pattern to restore the sectors to default (empty) status and reads back sector contents.
When you select Disk -> Surface test -> Reinitialise Disk Surface (but do not yet start it), you can see a RED label indicating that the test is "DESTRUCTIVE - All data will be removed". It explains how the data is affected.
This is described at the description of that test:
Overwrites the disk surface with special initialization pattern to restore the sectors to default (empty) status and reads back sector contents.
When you select Disk -> Surface test -> Reinitialise Disk Surface (but do not yet start it), you can see a RED label indicating that the test is "DESTRUCTIVE - All data will be removed". It explains how the data is affected.