Hard Disk Sentinel Help - Main window

From the main window of Hard Disk Sentinel it is possible to access all features and functions by using the main menu or the quick buttons.

The upper left area contains the list of detected physical disk drives with a quick info about the status (health and temperature). The list contains hard disks, SSDs, hybrid drives and so, including pendrives and memory card readers. Generally the order of the drives follow the list of disk drives as appear in Windows Disk Management to help identification (except when RAID configuration found by Hard Disk Sentinel and the RAID members displayed - while Windows Disk Management shows only the RAID volume), so devices (even empty card readers) are displayed here by default. After right click, it is possible to customize the list: specify if smaller/larger buttons should be displayed (with different amount of information on them) and also it is possible to uncheck devices to hide them from this list.

The lower left area shows the list of logical drives and their total/free capacity. In addition to physical disk drives, this may contain other drives (for example remote/network drives). By right click (as for the physical disks) it is possible to customize the list.

The horizontal splitter between the top and bottom lists can be used to modify the size of the different panels. If any physical or logical disk is selected by the left mouse button, the details of the disk or drive are displayed on the right, larger information panel.

In the selector panels, the list of drives are updated periodically. This way the quick information of the disks (temperature, condition or free space) reflect the actual, most recent status.

The splitter between the selector and the information panels can be used to change the sizes of these two areas. Note: the application automatically saves the position and size of this window and the position of the splitters. This way next time the window will be displayed as it was previously used.

On the information panel, the details of the currently selected physical disk or logical drive are displayed.

The main menu has the following options:

• File: from this menu, there is an option to perform automatic update to the latest version (if available), Open status of offline disks, examine the Windows volume/RAID status (for example to verify the status of a logical drive or software RAID), inspect the list of drive connection/removal event log to check when drives connected/removed, both during the active periods of Hard Disk Sentinel and also which happened in inactive state (since the software last started), Configure NAS Disk Monitoring or completely close (stop) Hard Disk Sentinel.

• Disk: it is possible to adjust disk features: adjust the level of Acoustic Management Configuration, Advanced Power Management or Free-Fall Control sensitivity. The features (if not supported by the drive) are greyed (not selectable). From the Disk menu, it is also possible to start disk tests, including the hardware "built-in" self tests, random seek test and surface tests too. Hard Disk Sentinel Professional has wide range of tests, including simple read scan, overwrite (zero fill, fill with random data or any specific pattern), disk surface reinitialization, disk refresh and disk repair tests, with highly customizable options. It is possible to start disk tests on multiple drives too with some single clicks. By the Online warranty check, it is possible to verify the current warranty status on the webpage of the manufacturer, based on the current disk model and serial number, which displayed on the Information page in Hard Disk Sentinel.

• View: it is possible to select which information panel should be displayed for the selected hard disk.

• Report: a complete text or HTML report can be created by using these options. It is possible to just save (and open immediately) the report or to send it immediatelly in e-mail to any address. By default, the configured recipient address is displayed and the configured mail options are used to transfer the report e-mail. It is possible to save an Authentic disk report which is a certified (HTML format) report to confirm the status one or more disk drives. Designed to sell and buy used disk drives, as it is possible to save (and then verify) the authenticity of the report, to confirm the complete status (including possible errors and lifetime statistics: power on time, start/stop count, amount of written data of the drive when sold.

• Configuration: the features and functions of the application can be configured in this window. The options are arranged into different categories.

• Help: the current, complete help or the About window can be displayed. Also it is possible to contact and initiate secure ordering of a registration key (a 15 digit number, the license code) - and also option to enter this received registration key.

When the mouse pointer is moved over the quick buttons under the main menu, the function of the buttons are displayed in a hint window. By using the buttons, it is possible to do the following tasks:

• re-detect the complete status of all hard disk drives, regardless of the configured detection frequency, just like if the software would be restarted.

• clear the list of handled alerts, so the alerts will be sent again, the sound alerts will be played again, etc.

• hide or show the status window.

• configure acoustic level of the hard disk (if supported). Higher acoustic level means more noise and faster seek performance, lower acoustic level means less noise but slower seek performance.

• test drive seek performance, noise and temperature level. The test can be effectively used to "stress" the hard disk by increasing its temperature.

• start different type of hard disk tests to confirm the status or detect and repair problems.

• execute hard disk internal self tests to verify critical components and reveal any hidden problems.

• verify warranty of the current selected hard disk on the website of the manufacturer.

• save full report. The type of report (text or HTML) can be seletected.

• send full report in e-mail. The type of report (text or HTML) can be selected.

• send test report to developer to help further development. Useful to verify problems or detection issues, report possible compatibility issues (if any) and ask help abuot how to improve the current situation.

• open Configuration window.

• disable or enable sound alerts for the current session. If "Repeat sound alert" option is enabled, this button can be used to confirm the sound alerts and disable further sound alerts.

• open the current help.

• display the About window.