This article shows you how to check the status of a solid state drive (also called SSD from English Solid-State Drive) mounted on a Windows computer or on a Mac. On Windows systems, you can check the working status of a SSD drive using a third party program while on Mac there is a native application of the operating system.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Access the https://crystalmark.info website using your computer browser
Use the internet browser of your choice to visit the CrystalMark website which distributes the application with which you will check the status of your computer's SSD.
Step 2. Click on the CrystalDiskInfo Standard Edition button
It is the first option placed in the "Quick Download" section. You will be redirected to the download page of the program installation file. The download will start automatically. If the file transfer does not start automatically, click the blue link "CrystalDiskInfo7_5_2.exe" visible in the center of the page.
Step 3. Start the installation
Double-click the file you just downloaded to start the program installation wizard. The full file name is "CrystalDiskInfo7_5_2.exe".
- Normally the files that you download from the web through a browser are stored in the "Download" folder.
- If prompted, click the button Yup to allow the installer to make any necessary changes to your computer configuration.
Step 4. Select the "I accept the agreement" option and click the Next button
If you want, read the terms of the agreement for the use of the licensed program, then click the radio button "I accept the agreement". At this point, click on the "Next" button when you are ready to continue.
Step 5. Click the Next button
The "CrystalDiskInfo" program will be installed in the default folder indicated in the current screen of the installation wizard. If you need to change the installation path, click on the button Browse and choose a different folder.
Step 6. Click on the Next button
A shortcut to the program will be created directly in the "Start" menu. To customize the link name, edit the text displayed in the visible field within the current installation wizard screen.
You can also click the check button "Don't create a Start Menu folder" if you don't want to create a shortcut to the program in the "Start" menu
Step 7. Select the "Create desktop shortcut" check button and click the Next button
This will create a shortcut to the program directly on the desktop. If you do not want a desktop shortcut to be created, uncheck the indicated check button and click the "Next" button.
Step 8. Click the Install button
The program installation will start. This step should take less than a minute to complete.
Step 9. Start the CrystalDiskInfo program
If you have just finished installing CrystalDiskInfo, make sure the "Launch CrystalDiskInfo" checkbox is selected, then click the button Finish to start the app. If you have already closed the installation window, double-click the program shortcut icon that appears on the desktop or in the installation folder.
Step 10. Select the SSD to scan
All memory drives on your computer are listed at the top of the program window. Click the SSD you want to analyze and check the evaluation that appears in the "Health Status" section. If the rating is good, you will see the word "Good" followed by a percentage. In this case the value 100% is the maximum achievable score.
If the SSD rating is "Caution", it means that bad sectors have been detected, indicating that the storage device may be worn and close to complete failure
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Open a Finder window by clicking the icon
It is blue in the shape of a stylized face, visible inside the System Dock. The Finder window allows you to browse the contents of the Mac.
Step 2. Click the Applications item
It is located inside the left sidebar of the Finder window.
Step 3. Double-click the Utilities folder
It is blue in color and located at the bottom of the page. It features a small screwdriver and a small wrench.
Step 4. Double-click the Disk Utility icon
It is characterized by a hard drive and a stethoscope. This program provides useful information regarding the operating status of the memory units installed on your Mac.
Step 5. Select the SSD drive
All hard drives and memory drives installed on your Mac will be listed in the left pane of the "Disk Utility" window. Click the unit to analyze.
Step 6. Click on the S. O. S
It is visible at the top of the window and has a stethoscope icon. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to perform the "S. O. S." of the selected unit.
Step 7. Click the Run button
It is located in the lower right corner of the appeared window.
Step 8. Click the Continue button
If you have chosen to scan your Mac's startup disk, the partition where the operating system is installed will be temporarily locked and other applications will not respond to commands until the scan is complete.
Step 9. Click the Show Details link
A brief report will be displayed on any problems found on the SSD being analyzed. Text messages shown in red indicate that there is a problem with the memory unit. The last message that will appear will tell you if the SSD needs to be repaired or not.
Step 10. Click the Finish button
It is blue in color and is located in the lower right corner of the "S. O. S." dialog box. The latter will be closed and you will be redirected to the "Disk Utility" window.
