Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Butterfly test failure

Mar 21, 2018 11:58AM PDT

Hi.I've tried to test many external HDDs by HDDScan Butterfly Test and some of them failed to pass this kind of test.The drives are WD Mybook 3Tb and WD Mybook 4Tb.I guessed first the issue is related to HDD capacity but after testing a Mybook 6Tb that passed the test,I found that there might be another reason.I know how Butterfly test works by seeking 1 and n-1,2 and n-2 sector and so where n is the last sector.My questions are:
1-What's the reason or reasons of failure of this test??
2-Which parameters are related to this test?For exapmle : Speed? Spin up time? or ...?
3-Is there any SMART value related to this test that could be measured or compared with other drives that pass the test?
4-Is that a bad sign for health or performance of drive ??
Thanks.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
The makers will likely not answer.
Mar 21, 2018 12:08PM PDT
- Collapse -
Butterfly Test
Mar 22, 2018 8:43AM PDT

Unfortunately there is no support forum available for HDDScan.But Butterfly test has unique algorithm and my question is about Butterfly test not HDDScan.Why it fails on some drives of same series from same manufacturer??

- Collapse -
That sad to read.
Mar 22, 2018 10:23AM PDT

If there is no support and the author won't answer as well as the HD maker, then there is no answer yet.

My advice is to use the maker's test next.

- Collapse -
2 drives passed test by other softwares
Mar 22, 2018 2:37PM PDT

2 drives I've mentioned passed all the tests by WD Life Guard test software by manufacturer also passed tests by following programs:
HD Tune
Macrorit Disk Scanner
Check Drive
Ariolic Disk Scanner
Checkdisk
Easeus
Also passed the Verify,Read and SMART tests by HDDScan.The only test that failed is Butterfly by HDDScan.
I don't know what is the problem??

- Collapse -
I think I may upset you.
Mar 22, 2018 2:47PM PDT

If eight or more apps pass then isn't the problem the test app that failed?

I don't want to be Captain Obvious here but many test apps do present problems like this. And if the author won't answer, then how can we? It's their code, they need to answer. If they don't then you are left out in the cold.

- Collapse -
Thanks
Mar 27, 2018 8:54AM PDT

OK.Thanks anyway.