Best HDD Error Test (?)

[liquidfluidity]

Is the OEM test the best to use or are aftermarket/3rd party apps better? I have a Samsung Spinpoint that may be on it's way out. Started clicking during defrag and now it seems to get "lost" periodically - just quits showing up in my hdd listing/my comp. Just changed the cable but I would like to do some testing. I really need to get this squared away soon as this is my storage drive and has a lot of irreplaceable stuff on it. What do you guys recommend?

 

[sub.mesa]

Try Spinrite, its very good at correcting HDD sector errors.

 

[gigabyte1024]

Backup your stuff immediately. Clicking sounds can't be fixed reliably if at all.

 

[liquidfluidity]

1 step ahead. I checked and the drive is under warranty until Sept. Now I'm scrambling for space to put things! Of course , since I have been emptying it , it hasn't made a sound! Oh well , it's still going back. Got about 200 gigs of music to find a home for yet.