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HDAT2

HDAT2 is a free diagnostic program for ATA, ATAPI, SATA, NVMe, SSD and SCSI/USB devices.

Place
#15 of 26
Score
6.0
HDAT2's website

What HDAT2 is

HDAT2 is a free diagnostic program for ATA, ATAPI, SATA, NVMe, SSD and SCSI/USB devices. Its device-testing level checks drives and can repair bad sectors on detected devices. File-system testing covers MBR/GPT, boot data and directories on FAT12/16/32, exFAT and NTFS; SMART functions are available for ATA/SATA, SCSI and NVMe drives. The program also includes capacity controls such as SET MAX and Device Configuration Overlay, including restoration of full drive capacity. Where supported, SATA and NVMe devices can be converted between 512e logical sectors and 4Kn. HDAT2 detects devices on AHCI and some RAID controllers and can detect USB devices through USB ASPI or BIOS when supported. The main program must run from a real DOS system booted from USB, floppy disk or CD/DVD. A Windows demo is available, but it is limited to drive-level operation, omits file-level functions and aborts almost all commands while simulating conflicts. The listed freeware plan is free, for one or more machines, with redistribution without profit; it is provided as-is without warranty.

Good

  • Tests and repairs bad sectors on detected devices.
  • SMART functions cover ATA/SATA, SCSI and NVMe.
  • Supports several file systems, including exFAT and NTFS.
  • Can restore full drive capacity.
  • Freeware plan permits redistribution without profit.

Watch out

  • Main program requires booting a real DOS system.
  • Windows demo has drive-level functions only.
  • Windows demo aborts almost all commands.
  • Provided as-is without warranty.

Who it suits

HDAT2 suits users diagnosing supported storage devices who can boot a real DOS system. Its Windows demo is more limited than the main program.

Verdict

HDAT2 provides device and file-system diagnostics, but its full program requires a DOS boot environment. The Windows demo is limited and is not a substitute for its full operation.

Plans and prices

From HDAT2's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
HDAT2 freewareFreeone or more machines · redistribution without profit · provided as-is without warranty

The facts

Each one read from HDAT2's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Capacity controls
The program implements SET MAX and Device Configuration Overlay features, including restoring full drive capacity.checked 30 Sep 2026
Controller support
HDAT2 detects devices on AHCI and some RAID controllers, and detects USB devices through USB ASPI or BIOS when supported.checked 30 Sep 2026
Demo limits
The demo operates only at drive level, does not provide file level, and aborts almost all commands while simulating conflicts.checked 30 Sep 2026
Documentation
The download page provides the HDAT2 Cookbook, user manuals, a DOS USB creation guide and an FAQ.checked 30 Sep 2026
File systems
Its file-system testing level handles MBR/GPT, boot data and directories on FAT12/16/32, exFAT and NTFS.checked 30 Sep 2026
Hardware minimum
The minimum configuration is a 386/486 CPU with coprocessor or higher, at least 1 MB RAM and a DOS boot system.checked 30 Sep 2026
Known limitations
Versions 6.x/7.x support 32-bit AHCI only and do not support AHCI Port-Multipliers.checked 30 Sep 2026
Operating mode
The main program requires a real DOS system booted from USB, floppy disk or CD/DVD; only the demo runs under Windows.checked 30 Sep 2026
Purpose
HDAT2 tests and diagnoses ATA, ATAPI, SATA, NVMe, SSD and SCSI/USB devices.checked 30 Sep 2026
Repair
Its device-testing level tests and repairs bad sectors on detected devices.checked 30 Sep 2026
Sector conversion
SATA/NVMe devices can be converted between 512e logical sectors and 4Kn when supported.checked 30 Sep 2026
Security features
The feature list includes SET SECURITY commands and drive-lock detection through the Security Menu.checked 30 Sep 2026
SMART
SMART functions are available for ATA/SATA, SCSI and NVMe drives.checked 30 Sep 2026
Version
The site lists version 7.6 dated 19.03.2025 as the latest version.checked 30 Sep 2026

Where it runs

Windows demo
The Win32/64 demo is distributed as HDAT2WDEM_76.EXE for Windows 32/64-bit systems.checked 30 Sep 2026

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