how to detect physical disk errors?

[dave-tx]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I've never been clear on this - how do you guys typically distinguish between data corruption (due to, say, power loss) vs. bad sectors on a hard drive?

[crokett]

Only way I've ever done it is with a hard disk utility. HDD manufacturers generally provide them for free via download. Find out what HDD you have and get the utility.

[dave-tx]

Thanks for the suggestion. Oddly enough, I never even thought of checking with the manufacterer! :p