How to test a drive for problems using Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows

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How to test a drive for problems using Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows
Answer ID 940 | Last Updated 01/30/2014 Share Print Email this page

Note: Mac OSX Users: Due to limitations in Mac OSX, the drive will need to be connected to a PC running Windows in order to run our diagnostics. There is a First Aid utility built into the Operating System (OS) that can perform basic tests on a hard drive, however WD recommends using our software whenever possible as it is written specifically to test Western Digital drives. The Windows version of the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility can perform drive identification, diagnostics, and repairs on a Western Digital FireWire, EIDE, Serial ATA, or USB drive. In addition, it can provide the drive's serial and model numbers.

Video Instructions:

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Text Instructions:
To use the utility: 1. Download Windows Data Lifeguard Diagnostics. An extraction utiltiy such as WinZip may be needed to extract the files from the compressed folder.

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2. Run the program, windlg.exe. If the computer is running Windows 8, 7, or Vista, Right-click on the windlg.exe file and select Run As Administrator.

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3. Read and accept the license agreement to continue.

4. On the main program screen, there are two windows. In the top window, the drives in your system that are available for testing will be seen. The model number, serial number, and capacity of each drive will be displayed. In the bottom window, the partition information for the selected drive will be displayed.

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5. Double-click the drive to be tested in the top window. 6. The DLGDIAG - Select an Option window appears. 7. The following options are available: QUICK TEST - performs SMART drive quick self-test to gather and verify the Data Lifeguard information contained on the drive. EXTENDED TEST - performs a Full Media Scan to detect bad sectors. Test may take several hours to complete depending on the size of the drive. WRITE ZEROS - writes zeros to the drive with options of Full Erase and Quick Erase. File system and data will be lost. VIEW TEST RESULT - displays the latest test results.

8. Select the test that will be performed and click the Start button.

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9. When the test completes, you will be notified. Click the Close button.

10. A web page will display the test results for the drive.

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Note: Windows Data Lifeguard Diagnostics will test internal hard drives contained within a WD My Book Premium II and WD My Book Pro Edition II storage system. The RAID Array on these units does not need to be broken in order to test the internal drives. The only feature that will not be available with the diagnostics is the SMART data. The diagnostics will not read SMART data from the drives.

Note: If any of the tests fail, including the Quick Test, replacement of the dirve may be necessary. If the drive is not recognized by Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows: If the drive is not recognized by Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows there are a few things that could be occurring. Please follow the instructions below on troubleshooting this issue: 1. Make sure that the drive is properly connected to the PC. If it is an internal drive make sure the SATA or PATA (EIDE) cable is securely attached to both the drive, and the controller card. If it is an external try replacing the USB, FireWire, or eSata cable and rebooting the system. 2. Make sure the drive is getting power. For internal drives, make sure that the power cable is properly connected to the drive, and that both a MOLEX (4-pin) and SATA-type power cables are not connected to your drive simultaneaously. For external Desktop drives, try plugging the power directly into a wall outlet (instead of a Universal Power Supply or power-strip). For portable external drives, try using a Power Booster Cable to supply extra power to the drive. 3. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, right-click on the program and select Run as Administrator. 4. Try reinstalling the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows utility. It is possible that the installation has become corrupted. 5. If the drive is internal, make sure that the jumper settings are correct based on the diagram on the drives label. 6. Test the drive on another system. If the drive is recognized there, than something is likely wrong with either the power supply, or the data port (or BUS) that the drive is being connected to. 7. If the drive still is not recognized, than it is most likely damaged and needs to be replaced. Please see Answer ID 8: How can I replace a product under warranty? for assistance with this process

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