One of the main causes of a computer that freezes does not start or has data that it cannot load is the presence of bad sectors on the disk, be it a hard disk or an SSD drive.
Bad sectors (also called clusters ) occur when a part of the disk can no longer be written or read . When saving a file on the hard disk, the data is saved in different sectors which may or may not be adjacent to each other. If a sector that contains data from that file is damaged, it will be impossible to log in and load it without errors. Bad sectors on a disk cause errors (freezes or errors with a blue screen), poor performance and overheating of the PC which can take time to try to read data.
The sectors of the disk can be damaged for many reasons, random or due to shocks, excessive heat or sudden shutdowns of the computer.
To repair the bad sectors of a disk you can use the disk error check tool on Windows, called Checkdisk or Scandisk explained in another article, or an external program that can be more effective and also capable of trying to recover files written on bad sectors . Speaking of free programs, we have at least 4 excellent software here that can repair bad disk sectors on hard disk or SSD, to be used as a first solution when the scandisk does not solve anything, when the PC often freezes and when there is a file that it is not possible to open because it is not legible.
READ ALSO: Check the status of the disk (HDD and SSD) with health, performance and speed tests
SeaTools for Windows, as well as the bootable version, performs several fundamental tests to determine the status of the computer disk, compatible with all types of internal drives, both hard drives and SSDs, and also with external drives connected via firewire or USB. The program works with discs from all manufacturers, not just those from Seagate.
This tool includes a disk check tool similar to the Windows scandisk which allows you to find and try to recover bad sectors. With HDDScan you can also measure the speed of the PC disk, to compare it with other similar models, useful to know if it is worth replacing it or not.
The tests are the two minute rapid test, the extended one that lasts more than an hour and inspects the entire surface of the unit to find errors and then the Autotest, a 5 minute scan which is used to detect any damage that occurred during the transport of the unit. You can also find particular information, such as the count of the power cycle, the error frequency and the number of calibration attempts.
READ ALSO: If the hard disk is slow in file uploads and transfers (external and internal)
Bad sectors (also called clusters ) occur when a part of the disk can no longer be written or read . When saving a file on the hard disk, the data is saved in different sectors which may or may not be adjacent to each other. If a sector that contains data from that file is damaged, it will be impossible to log in and load it without errors. Bad sectors on a disk cause errors (freezes or errors with a blue screen), poor performance and overheating of the PC which can take time to try to read data.
The sectors of the disk can be damaged for many reasons, random or due to shocks, excessive heat or sudden shutdowns of the computer.
To repair the bad sectors of a disk you can use the disk error check tool on Windows, called Checkdisk or Scandisk explained in another article, or an external program that can be more effective and also capable of trying to recover files written on bad sectors . Speaking of free programs, we have at least 4 excellent software here that can repair bad disk sectors on hard disk or SSD, to be used as a first solution when the scandisk does not solve anything, when the PC often freezes and when there is a file that it is not possible to open because it is not legible.
READ ALSO: Check the status of the disk (HDD and SSD) with health, performance and speed tests
Programs to repair bad sectors
1) Seagate SeaTools
Seagate has two programs that test the disk, both free called SeaTools Bootable and SeaTools for Windows, both downloadable from the official website, one more complete and powerful (the Bootable), the other simpler to use, to try first.SeaTools for Windows, as well as the bootable version, performs several fundamental tests to determine the status of the computer disk, compatible with all types of internal drives, both hard drives and SSDs, and also with external drives connected via firewire or USB. The program works with discs from all manufacturers, not just those from Seagate.
2) HDDScan
HDDScan is a historical disk health check program that works with all types of drives, including SSDs. Easy to use, this is a portable program that doesn't need to be installed and that supports Windows 10, Windows 8 and 7.This tool includes a disk check tool similar to the Windows scandisk which allows you to find and try to recover bad sectors. With HDDScan you can also measure the speed of the PC disk, to compare it with other similar models, useful to know if it is worth replacing it or not.
3) Macrorit Disk Scanner
Macrorit Disk Scanner is a free and automatic program that checks the disk trying to detect and repair the bad sectors found. Without requiring installation, the program starts with a click after downloading it and in its interface shows a visual representation of the progress of the scan, indicating with a red square the clusters with problems. This tool is updated often and works with all versions of Windows, including Windows 10. There is a paid version of this program with more features for those who need not just an occasional check.4) GSmartControl
GSmartControl is an open source program for Windows, Mac and Linux that can be downloaded in portable version or in version to be installed. GSmartControl can perform three different disk tests and gives a detailed judgment on the health status of the hard disk or SSD drive.The tests are the two minute rapid test, the extended one that lasts more than an hour and inspects the entire surface of the unit to find errors and then the Autotest, a 5 minute scan which is used to detect any damage that occurred during the transport of the unit. You can also find particular information, such as the count of the power cycle, the error frequency and the number of calibration attempts.
READ ALSO: If the hard disk is slow in file uploads and transfers (external and internal)
