HDD Test Software:
Does anyone make a HDD test DVD that runs under Windows that I can direct to C: drive, D: drive , and in my case with the Thermaltake Docking Station to test a drop in HDD. All of my DVD software will only test the HDD in the computer, I would like to run a test on the HDD in the docking station.

try western digital lifeguard for windows that should work

WD Support / Downloads / EIDE (PATA) / WD Protégé

Thank You, the HDD failed with too many bad sectors.
The best part, this Western Digital site has a knowledge section with a lot of information for the reading as well as the software.
Thank You again. I really do appreciate the information from this site and the suggestions.
I also picked up a little 4 inch fan for ten bucks to blow on the HDD in the docking station to keep it cool during testing.

your welcome, there can be a big difference in heat output from hard drives, slower the hdd the less heat it will kick out, and more efficient green drives perform even better, and laptop drives tend to run even cooler, its worth bearing in mind when it comes to buying a new one, either make sure the drives getting a good supply of air or stick to slower speed drives, and ssd drives are the best of all because theres very little heat as theres no moving parts

This was my old computer I was hoping to rescue it for Digital Ham Radio use at the Fire Station for emergency use, but the best laid plans of men and mice......
I have advertised for some old dead HP Pavilions hoping to get some to refurbish for emergency use in the Ham Radio bands. Looks like the state gets most of them however, they do not appear for resale at the Goodwills!

yeah same here, they all get fixed up and sent to third world,africa, india and pakistan and the rest, because they need computers more than we do, so they don't have any trouble taking our jobs when the government invites them to come over here. put the word about with family and friends for old computers that arent working, in next to no timre you will be begging them to stop bringing them

newbie question. A HDD checker/Diagnostic dvd? Isnt that the same thing that Scan Disk and Check Disc do? From what I understand with my limited experience and training, the more bad sectors you have the worse off the drive is.

what is a good number and what is a bad number when it comes to bad sectors?

I wanted to check a HDD in a docking station, not the HDD in the computer. None of the software I had would allow me to direct a check to a HDD remote from the computer.
As to how many, I do not know, the software just gave up with too many bad sectors, no number was given. The HDD failed all test's and the software stopped the test.
Like you, I too am a Newbee. So please excuse my ignorance, besides I am a "Old Goat" 73 years old. However, I spent 36 years as an Electronic Technician.

onboard windows applications are as good a place as any to start with and i use chkdsk a fair bit, but i also use different apps for different reasons, wd lifeguard it good for quick checks on a number of different drives or doing a quick wipe on a drive without having the computer down while dban runs