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SPECIFICTION
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HDAT2

hdat2.com

Free plan Windows
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Spec score 7.7 #8 of 26 in Hardware Diagnostic Software

What it is

HDAT2 is a drive-testing and diagnostic program for ATA, ATAPI, SATA, NVMe, SSD, and SCSI/USB devices. Its device-level tools test 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. Capacity controls include SET MAX and Device Configuration Overlay, with options to restore full capacity; supported SATA and NVMe devices can also be switched between 512e logical sectors and 4Kn. HDAT2 detects devices on AHCI and some RAID controllers, and USB devices through USB ASPI or BIOS when supported. The main program requires a real DOS system booted from USB, floppy disk, or CD/DVD. A Windows 32/64-bit demo is available, but it operates only at drive level, omits file-level functions, and aborts almost all commands while simulating conflicts. The freeware plan is free, for one or more machines, with redistribution without profit; it is provided as-is without warranty.

Spec sheet

Purpose
HDAT2 tests and diagnoses ATA, ATAPI, SATA, NVMe, SSD and SCSI/USB devices.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Capacity controls
The program implements SET MAX and Device Configuration Overlay features, including restoring full drive capacity.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Controller support
HDAT2 detects devices on AHCI and some RAID controllers, and detects USB devices through USB ASPI or BIOS when supported.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Demo limits
The demo operates only at drive level, does not provide file level, and aborts almost all commands while simulating conflicts.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Documentation
The download page provides the HDAT2 Cookbook, user manuals, a DOS USB creation guide and an FAQ.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
File systems
Its file-system testing level handles MBR/GPT, boot data and directories on FAT12/16/32, exFAT and NTFS.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Hardware minimum
The minimum configuration is a 386/486 CPU with coprocessor or higher, at least 1 MB RAM and a DOS boot system.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Known limitations
Versions 6.x/7.x support 32-bit AHCI only and do not support AHCI Port-Multipliers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Operating mode
The main program requires a real DOS system booted from USB, floppy disk or CD/DVD; only the demo runs under Windows.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Repair
Its device-testing level tests and repairs bad sectors on detected devices.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Sector conversion
SATA/NVMe devices can be converted between 512e logical sectors and 4Kn when supported.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Security features
The feature list includes SET SECURITY commands and drive-lock detection through the Security Menu.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
SMART
SMART functions are available for ATA/SATA, SCSI and NVMe drives.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Version
The site lists version 7.6 dated 19.03.2025 as the latest version.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com
Windows demo
The Win32/64 demo is distributed as HDAT2WDEM_76.EXE for Windows 32/64-bit systems.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com

Plans and prices

HDAT2 freeware Free one or more machines · redistribution without profit · provided as-is without warranty Read 30 Sep 2026 · hdat2.com

Every HDAT2 plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Tests and repairs bad sectors on detected devices
  • SMART functions cover ATA/SATA, SCSI, and NVMe
  • Tests MBR/GPT and several file systems
  • Includes capacity controls and sector conversion
  • Free plan permits use on one or more machines

Limits

  • Main program requires a real DOS boot system
  • Windows demo omits file-level functions
  • Demo aborts almost all commands
  • 32-bit AHCI only; no AHCI Port-Multipliers

Who it suits

HDAT2 suits users who need drive and file-system diagnostics from bootable DOS media. Its Windows demo may help review drive-level features, but it does not provide file-level operation.

Verdict

HDAT2 covers drive, file-system, SMART, and capacity checks, with a free plan. The main constraint is its DOS boot requirement; the Windows demo is limited and does not perform most commands.

Where Specifiction places it

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