Find out the runtime of a hard drive - how it works
Hard drives can only store data for a certain amount of time before they need to be replaced. This practical tip shows you how to find out the remaining term.
Find out the runtime of a hard drive
After purchasing a used computer, it is worth checking the condition and runtime of the hard drive installed. To check the hard drive:
- Modern hard drives have a so-called SMART function. This independently checks the current status of the hard disk and logs relevant data.
- You can view the log with a free program such as "HD Tune" and read revealing values from your hard disk. Install the program to analyze your hard drive's mileage.
- After you have installed and started "HD Tune", you can set your hard drive to be checked using the small black arrow at the top left.
- Under the "Health" option, you can see the data on your hard drive in a table. You can see the runtime in the "Power on Hours Count" line in the fourth column. The display shows the duration in hours. If your hard drive is OK, the last column says "OK".
- Under "Error Scan" and "Start" you can have the condition of your hard drive checked in detail. After a detailed test, any defective areas are marked in red.
- If your hard disk is no longer in good condition, you should replace it with a new one. In our leaderboard we present the best SATA hard drives.