how to check Bad sectors

[zimmi]

i formatted all of my hard drive to install Linux (Ubuntu). i think it has bad sectors. how to confirm and fix? XP was running fine on it but i wanted to install Linux and it told me during installation that my HDD might have errors. how do i check?

right now i hv no OS installed, only DOS working in a win98 cd.

P.S: in my tool box, i have a win98cd, a Ubuntu 10.10 cd and an XP cd.

 

[Fardringle]

Download and run the diagnostic utility from the hard disk manufacturer's web site.

If you can't find the utility, post the brand and model of your hard drive and we'll get a link for you.

 

[Nothinman]

Linux has a cli tool call badblocks which can do write scans for bad blocks and the smartmontools package has the smartctl tool to show you SMART information for a drive. The former should be on the Live CD already and the latter can be installed after you boot the disc if it's not there already.

 

[corkyg]

And, you can always make use of the Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD). It has the tools needed to run a HDD diagnostic check.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

This should be in everyone's toolbox.