b number: specify the block size of the hard disk which can significantly improve testing time. w: do a destructive write test -s: show progress -v: be 'verbose' and output bad sectors detected to stdout Testing with pattern 0xff: 22.93% done, 4:09:55 elapsed.

# badblocks -wsv /dev/ device Checking for bad blocks in read-write mode For some devices this will take a couple of days to complete.

As the pattern is written to every accessible block, the device effectively gets wiped. This test is primarily for testing new drives and is a read-write test. badblocks has several different modes to be able to detect bad sectors. To test for bad sectors in Linux, the program badblocks is typically used. Manufacturer programs however are generally quicker than badblocks, sometimes a fair amount so. The caveat here being is that some manufacturers testing programs do not print full test results and allow a certain number of bad sectors saying only if they pass or not. The main reasoning for this is that manufacturers usually have their standards built into the test programs that will tell you if the drive needs to be replaced or not. Most manufacturers have programs that do this.

Typical recommended practice for testing a storage device for bad sectors is to use the manufacturer's testing program. Over time, bad sectors will develop and although they are able to be defined to the file system so that they are avoided, continual use of the drive will usually result in additional bad sectors forming and it is usually the harbinger of its eventual death. This can be done in a destructive write-mode that effectively wipes the device (do backup!) or in non-destructive read-write (backup advisable as well!) and read-only modes.Īlthough there is no firm rule, it is common thinking that a new drive should have zero bad sectors. only passively waits for errors while badblocks can actively write simple patterns to every block of a device and then check them, searching for damaged areas (Just like memtest86* does with RAM). (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) is featured in almost every HDD still in use nowadays, and in some cases it can automatically retire defective HDD sectors. Badblocks is a program to test storage devices for bad blocks.

Bad sector checker