Easiest way to test new drive for errors and make it good to for use?

[unseengundam101]

I am getting a new 2 TB Seagate ST2000DL003 hard drive. I am planning on loading up with almost 2 TB of data so I can reformat / clean out my other hard drive. I want to make sure this hard drive is actually good before I put all my data on it.

Any suggestions for tests to use to make sure the new hard drive doesn't have any initial problems?

 

[Bish]

I usually just run the manufacturers extended test and maybe write zeros to the drive.

 

[bryanl]

This one: http://hddguru.com/software/2005.10.02-MHDD/

It will reveal sectors that are marginal, not just completely bad.

 

[Emulex]

i full format then load the drive up about 3 times full with different data (teracopy ftw) before i deem it worthy.

i've seen fails on the full format as it remaps then i would repeat. if it fails again i would rma the unit or if during any other test. it's not uncomon for the full format (format d: /u) to fail once (or twice) since nobody has used all of the sectors in a while.

i've had drives that have had failures 3 times during forum, i did full format twice, then 3xload and have been using the drive for external d2d2d offsite for months without any problems.

ALWAYS use verify mode with teracopy to ensure transport is not jacked up. (usb externals typically come with too crappy/long of a cable)

 

[unseengundam101]

I might try the Seagate tools or the HDDGURU. Any one else has suggestions?