How to check the status of an SSD (with pictures)

This article will show you how to check the health of an SSD (Solid State Drive) on a Windows or Mac OS X computer. On Windows, this can be done using a third-party program, and on Mac OS X, the preinstalled disk utility.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Windows

Step 1. Go to the https://crystalmark.info page in your web browser

This is the CrystalMark site that has an application to check the health of SSD drives.

Step 2. Click on CrystalDiskInfo Standard Edition

This is the first option in the "Quick Download" section. You will be taken to the download page of the program, and the download process will start automatically. If the process does not start, click on the blue link "CrystalDiskInfo7_5_2.exe" in the middle of the page.

Step 3. Install the program

Double click on the downloaded installation file "CrystalDiskInfo7_5_2.exe".

The downloaded files are located in a download folder such as the Downloads folder.
Click Yes if prompted. This will allow the installer to make changes to the system.

Step 4. Check the box next to “I accept the agreement” and then click Next

If you want, review the license agreement, then select the checkbox and click on the indicated button.

Step 5. Click Next

CrystalDiskInfo will be installed in the folder specified in the text box. To change the installation folder, click Browse and select a different folder.

Step 6. Click Next

The program folder will appear in the Start menu; to change the name of the folder, enter the new name in the text box.

If you don't want the program folder on the Start menu, check the box next to “Don't create a Start Menu folder”

Step 7. Check or uncheck the “Create desktop shortcut” box, and then click Next

This will create (or not create) a shortcut to the program on your desktop.

Step 8. Click Insatll

The program will be installed; it will take less than one minute.

Step 9. Run the CrystalDiskInfo program

If the installer window is still open, check the box next to “Launch CrystalDiskInfo” and click “Finish”. Otherwise, double-click on the program's shortcut on the desktop or in the corresponding folder.

Step 10. Select a disk

All computer disks will be displayed at the top of the program window. In the Health Status section, click on the SSD you want to check the status of. If the disk is working properly, “Good 100%” will appear on the screen.

If “Caution” appears on the screen, the SSD has bad sectors and needs to be replaced

Method 2 of 2: Mac OS X

Step 1. Open a new Finder window

Click on the white and blue smiley face in the dock.

Step 2. Click Programs

You will find this option in the left pane of the Finder window.

Step 3. Double click on the Utilities folder

This blue folder is marked with a wrench and screwdriver icon and is located at the bottom of the window.

Step 4. Double click on Disk Utility

This program is marked with a hard drive icon with a stethoscope. A window with all computer disks will open.

Step 5. Select the SSD drive

All connected drives will be displayed in the left pane of the window. Click on the SSD to select it.

Step 6. Click the First Aid tab

It is marked with a stethoscope icon and is located at the top of the window. It will ask you if you want to check the disk.

Step 7. Click Run

You will find this button in the lower right corner of the request window.

Step 8. Click Continue

If you check the system drive, it and running programs will stop responding until the check is complete.

Step 9. Click Show Details

A report on the detected problems will open - they will be highlighted in red. At the end of the report, you will find out if the disk needs to be recovered.