The bootable version of SeaTools is more powerful, but is a bit more difficult to use. SeaTools for Windows or Linux isn’t as full-featured, but it’s much easier to install. Both programs are completely free and are highly recommended. If you suspect that your hard drive might be failing, one or both of these tools from Seagate will help you determine what’s wrong.
More About Seagate SeaTools
Seagate SeaTools is available in both a Windows (or Linux) version and a stand-alone, bootable version for maximum flexibility, called SeaTools for Windows/Linux and SeaTools Bootable, respectively. Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP can run the Windows version, while the bootable SeaTools can be used no matter what operating system is installed on the hard drive, including none at all.
SeaTools for Windows
As we mentioned above, SeaTools for Windows installs to your computer like a normal program. It can perform several basic tests that can help determine the health of your hard drive, and all types of internal drives can be tested, like SCSI, PATA, and SATA drives. External drives are also supported like those that work via USB or FireWire. To get started, visit the SeaTools download page and choose the link called SeaTools for Windows under the Downloads section. The download is an EXE file called SeaToolsforWindowsSetup.exe. Setup isn’t confusing at all and installs the program quickly.
SeaTools Bootable
The bootable SeaTools program that can be installed on a flash drive or other USB device, can be downloaded here—select SeaTools Bootable. The file is called USBbootSetup-SeaToolsBootable.zip, meaning you’ll need to extract the program files from the archive in order to use it. Once you’ve done that, open SeaToolsBootable_RC_2.1.2.usbBootMaker.exe, the built-in bootable USB creator. Follow the steps in the wizard to put SeaTools on the device, and then boot from the USB device to run the program. Another version, SeaTools for DOS, is similar, but don’t let the for DOS part scare you away. It works with any kind of PC, no matter what operating system is installed. Visit the SeaTools download page to find the SeaTools for DOS download link. It will download as an ISO file called SeaToolsDOS223ALL.ISO. See our How to Burn an ISO Image File to a CD or DVD tutorial if you’ve never burned an ISO image before (it’s different than burning normal files to discs), and then How to Boot From a CD or DVD for help getting SeaTools for DOS going.
Seagate SeaTools Pros & Cons
There’s little not to like about this excellent set of hard drive testing tools:
Thoughts on Seagate SeaTools
Seagate’s SeaTools hard drive testing programs are some of the easiest to use of any we’ve ever worked with. The tests are basic, easy to run, and generally pretty fast in our experience. Your available hard drives and tests are easy to see when the program opens and can be started with just a few clicks of the mouse. SeaTools for DOS can perform the several basic tests that SeaTools for Windows can run but it can also run a very useful Acoustic Test (on Seagate and Maxtor drives only). This test can really save you a lot of time if you think your hard drive is making noise. It will spin the drive down until it’s completely idle, making the drive nearly silent. If you no longer hear the strange noise, the hard drive was the culprit! So if you’re comfortable burning ISO images and you want a slightly more powerful set of tools, use SeaTools for DOS. If you’re more of a novice or you just want a quick and basic hard drive test, give SeaTools for Windows a try.
