DiskPatch manual - Tutorials - creating the disk health report

Recovery Guides: step-by-step DiskPatch operations:
Creating a Disk Health report.

Problem :	you've got problems with your disks or partitions and you have no idea what to do (make sure you also read "creating a support analysis log file")
Symptoms :	disk read errors, inaccessible partitions, slow disk reading
Solution :	create a disk health report and post it in our forum (or check it yourself if you know what you're doing)

Why do we need to do this?

Creating a support analysis log will help us understand what the damage to your partitions (if any) may be, but the support analysis log mainly checks for logical damage; that is damage that exists in the structures on the disk that maintain your data (partitions). If the support analysis log reveals physical problems with your hard disk, or if you have any other reason to believe that the disk itself is failing, you should create a disk health report. This report is created by a separate tool that uses S.M.A.R.T. technology to determine the disk's physical health. The report is saved to a text file so you can read it later.
If you request support and attach a support analysis log file, it might be nice to also include the disk health report if needed (that is, if you suspect the disk is having physical problems). If you have no idea, just include the report; we can never have too much information.
When posting a request for support you should always include the support analysis log.
Read this to see what we need before we can help you.

Things you need to know before we start:

In the world of disks and data recovery we start counting disks at 0 (zero). So the first disk is 'disk 0', the second disk is 'disk 1', etc.
If you use the bootable CD/DVD you will need to find a target location for the files that DiskPatch creates when it's running; they can't be saved to the CD/DVD. You will either need a FAT formatted partition somewhere that can hold the files, or you can use a FAT formatted USB stick/key or USB disk to receive the files (read more here on how to prepare a USB key). DiskPatch will ask you where to save the files if the files can not be saved to the current location.
Use the cursor keys to navigate the menus, use the <Enter> key to select an option, use the <Escape> key to abort or leave a menu.
Asking for our advice by use of the support analysis report/disk health report and the forum is free of charge.
You can use the DiskPatch trial version to create the disk health report; registration is not required to use the trial version and create the report.
In fact, you should probably hold off registering DiskPatch until you're reasonably sure that DiskPatch can help you: that's why we've created the trial version. Try first, and if it all works to your satisfaction, then buy it.

Here we go:

Start the computer from the disk that you created using the Bootable Media builder.
You can read more about creating the disk here.
You'll be presented with the following screen:

In this screen select "Create a S.M.A.R.T. report".
If the current location can not be used to save the report, you will be asked to select another location for the files. If you have nowhere to put the files, read this to help you fix this.
The S.M.A.R.T. disk checker will start and create a report:

A status screen is displayed as the disks are checked and the report is saved. This might take some time, be patient. When the scan has finished you will be returned to the menu. You can now copy the report from the diskette (or USB key) and attach it to your support request. Simply open the report in a text editor (such as notepad), copy everything to the clipboard, and insert everything in the forum posting. Or attach the file to your support request email.
The report (called REPORT.TXT) can be found in the DPFILES folder on the media that was selected to receive files.