For the past 1 1/2 weeks, my external 1TB HDD has been running constantly performing various stress tests via "dd" and "badblocks". It completed a few previous badblocks tests without returning any errors.

I just checked my laptop after numerous hours and was surprised to find that the badblocks test is currently at "0/0/32710602 errors".

What gives? From the best of my knowledge there has been no physical damage whatsoever. Could this be as a result of a software bug? If not, I assume the HDD is beyond salvation now?

It may be control board failure. Can smartctl read this drive?

Get the OEM hard drive diag and run it. They tend to have more exacting tests.

Just a thought... I was once warned about running prolonged tests as the disk exerciser is stressing the disk way beyond its normal working levels.

What are you trying to prove by running tests for 1 1/2 weeks?

Disks have a working life and by constantly seeking, reading and writing you're effectively wearing it out and shortening its life. Seeks in a stress test are between inner and outer guard bands and butterfly reads, i.e maximum head movement rather than smaller seeks in normal use. The head actuator is being hammered.

A couple of passes to clear bad blocks is all that's needed then monitor any future replacements rather than thrashing it to death.

Just my

Play Bonny!

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Snap to above!

It could be the cable or connectors, especially if the results vary.