The IBM storage subdivision has released version 3.0 of the useful DFT. The Drive Fitness Test (DFT) provides a quick and reliable method to test IBM SCSI and IDE hard disk drives. The Drive Fitness Test only performs read tests and does not overwrite customer data. Note: Currently, the Drive Fitness Test does not support IBM Microdrives or Travelstar E drives.

Analyzes drive fitness Three modes of operation: -- High confidence level Quick test (unmatched in the drive industry)
-- Full media scan
-- Exerciser
Performs real-time analysis of IBM drives to quickly determine whether the drive has a problem. Identifies system problems such as cables, temperature, etc. Automatically logs significant drive parameters to track potential impacts to the operation of the drive. Restores drive fitness
Note: these utilities will overwrite customer data and allow repair of bad sectors. Erase Bootsector utility (use DFT Utility option: Erase Boot Sector) Low-level format utility (use DFT Utility option: Erase Disk) Filesystem-based Corrupted Sector Repair (use DFT Utility option: Corrupted Sector Repair) Utilities Drive information S.M.A.R.T. Operations for IDE hard disk drives Note: This download creates a self booting diskette to run the DFT utility. You can create the diskette under Windows or Linux but you must start your system with the bootable diskette to run DFT. DFT can only be used with x86 based processors. Download DFT 3.0 Windows version Download DFT 3.0 Linux version