Every computer user stores MBs, GBs or TBs of files on their computers, and most of them keep and update the files for years. Some of the files may be less important, while the others are highly valuable. We store valuable information like photos, audio and video files, documents, passwords, account information, etc.
So what will happen if your hard disk crashes or fails? The one line answer is all your data will be lost. The S.M.A.R.T. monitoring software tools can help you in preventing data loss by letting you know about your hard-disks' health status in advance, and allows you to backup your files before your hard disk fails.
List of all WD firmware and software available for download. Aug 23, 2017 Below, you can see the drive (our M drive) detected right along side an actual external drive (the L drive). If you open the drive, you should all the old folders and files. Note that, when opening folders—especially folders on old hard drives that had Windows installed on them—you might run into a warning message stating that you don't.
This blog post talks about S.M.A.R.T. and its key benefits, and takes you through the 7 best S.M.A.R.T. monitoring software tools.
What is S.M.A.R.T.?
S.M.A.R.T. stands for Self Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology. This technology, integrated in the hard disks, predicts disk failures. It lets you know about the permanent health status of the hard drives. Using certain attributes and parameters, it provides information about the current temperature, total number of hours, read errors, issues, health status and other things related to your hard disks.
Key benefits of S.M.A.R.T. tools
Freeware audio recording software. The key benefits found in most of the popular S.M.A.R.T. tools are as follows.
- Monitors the health status of hard disks.
- Predicts disk failures.
- Checks for disk problems.
- Gives detailed status reports.
- Provides backup before the hard drives fail.
- Alerts you through email or desktop notifications.
O&O DriveLed (Free to try, $29.95 to buy)
O&O DriveLed from O&O Software is an early warning system that detects hard disk crashes when they are on their way. This is available for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The software provider allows you try the software before you buy it.
You can use O&O DriveLed for PCs and servers. The software works smartly on PCs and servers. The software is easy to install and use.
Active Smart (Free 21-day trial, $17.96 to buy)
Active Smart is a useful S.M.A.R.T. tool from Ariolic Software, which monitors hard drive status very efficiently. You can use the software free of cost for 21 days. It efficiently monitors the hard disk health status, and gives you important information such as current temperature, free space, and read-write errors, and so on.
CrystalDiskInfo (Free)
CrystalDiskInfo is a very helpful, easy to use S.M.A.R.T. tool from Crystal Dew World, which gives you all the necessary information about the hard drive health. This is a reliable software application, designed for the Windows operating systems. CrystalDiskInfo is popular for its easy interface. CrystalDiskInfo gives you the S.M.A.R.T. values and hard drive details in details.
Active Smart is a useful S.M.A.R.T. tool from Ariolic Software, which monitors hard drive status very efficiently. You can use the software free of cost for 21 days. It efficiently monitors the hard disk health status, and gives you important information such as current temperature, free space, and read-write errors, and so on.
CrystalDiskInfo (Free)
CrystalDiskInfo is a very helpful, easy to use S.M.A.R.T. tool from Crystal Dew World, which gives you all the necessary information about the hard drive health. This is a reliable software application, designed for the Windows operating systems. CrystalDiskInfo is popular for its easy interface. CrystalDiskInfo gives you the S.M.A.R.T. values and hard drive details in details.
Hard Drive Disk Reader
HDD Health (Free)
HDD Health is an S.M.A.R.T. tool from PanteraSoft, which monitors your hard disks and give you alerts on impending failure. It monitors disk status and disk health. It shows current temperature, S.M.A.R.T. values and other information. The software is easy to install and easy to use. Hp full feature software.
Acronis Drive Monitor (Free)
External Hard Drive Reader Usb Software
Acronis Drive Monitor from Acronis is another popular S.M.A.R.T. tool that monitors the hard drives of PCs, servers and workstations. Most interestingly, it is absolutely free to use. You can download it and use it at no cost.
Your important files and documents on your hard drives are always protected with Acronis Drive Monitor. It automatically monitors the hard drives and prevents data loss.
To mention some of its key features, it automatically checks for problems in the hard disks, prevents data loss, gives weekly status reports and sends you email alerts and desktop notifications.
Ashampoo HDD Control (Free to try, $24.99 to buy)
Ashampoo HDD Control is an S.M.A.R.T. tool from Ashampoo, which monitors and maintains your hard drives. It gives you all the necessary health status information of your hard drives. Ashampoo HDD Control offers constant hard disk monitoring, support for external USB drives, support for solid state drives, data recovery, adjustment of noise level, power management of your hard drives, and so on.
Active@ Hard Disk Monitor (Free to try, $5.99 to buy)
Active@ Hard Disk Monitor is a hard disk monitoring tool that scans the hard disks for bad sectors and monitors the parameters in order to keep you well informed about the overall health status of your hard drives, and helps you to take appropriate actions before the hard drives fail. The simple UI lets you use the software very easily.
