Testing SATA links

Does anyone have any recommendations for software to test SATA connections?

I'm having a problem diagnosing the fault on a system where I've detected a few single-bit errors on reading and writing to a SATA disk. The errors are always a single 0 to 1 transition, in the same bit position. I managed to reproduce this (for a short while) by repeatedly copying a large file and then reading it back.

All the failures have been on the same disk, which is the boot/system disk - the system has 5 other data disks. I've run the intensive copy/readback test on one of the other disks, but no errors.

I've tried running Memtest86+ for around 24 hours with no faults detected (6Gb RAM).

Given that these are single-bit errors, it's very unlikely that they are media storage errors on the disks, and given that they are always in the same bit position, serial cabling errors are unlikely.

The drive passes long and short offline SMART tests with no problems (it also has zero block reallocations).

As far as I can see, that leaves the following:
1. HD cache, SATA or related disk electronic failure (SMART test notwithstanding)
2. M/b SATA controller error
3. CPU failure (and it's just chance that only the system drive has been hit)
4. CPU cache failure (also just chance that it's only the system drive)
5. Very very infrequent RAM failure (undetected by Memtest86+)

However, I've not had much luck locating software that will properly test the m/b SATA controller or the drive cache & electronics. Does anyone have any suggestions for test software for this (or any other suggestions)?

Thanks
gvm

 

A couple comments.

Memtest86+, like all software based mem testers, is good, but has never been conclusive. If it reports RAM is bad, it is most likely is bad. But these testers frequently do not detect problems, when problems do exist. So, unless you have a real RAM tester (specialized hardware - with the professional models being VERY expensive), if you are still unsure, run with one stick of RAM at a time.

I would suggest you run the Hard Drive Diagnostics from the drive maker.

I don't see this being a CPU problem.

Many motherboards have more than one SATA controller. I might swap connections for a test.

 

Adding to Digerati's comments on hard drive diagnostics...

1. Be sure your files are backed up prior to running a long drive self test. If the drive is "iffy", a long DST has the potential to push it over the edge into complete failure.

2. Run the long drive self test (DST). It may take several hours; however it is more likely to catch intermittent errors a short DST may miss.

Hope this helps.

 

I agree i looked around as well last night seems that for you too test a Sata HD is to have very expensive equipment.In most cases like this its just some times cheaper to just bye a new HD.