Editing Computer data storage (section)

==== Error detection ====
[[File:QPxTool DVD error rate graph.png|thumb|[[Optical_disc#Surface_error_scanning|Error rate measurement]] on a [[DVD+R]]. The minor errors are correctable and within a healthy range.]]
Impending failure on [[hard disk drive]]s is estimable using S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic data that includes the [[power-on hours|hours of operation]] and the count of spin-ups, though its reliability is disputed.<ref>{{cite web|title=What S.M.A.R.T. hard disk errors actually tell us |url=https://www.backblaze.com/blog/what-smart-stats-indicate-hard-drive-failures/|website=Backblaze|date=6 October 2016}}</ref>

Flash storage may experience downspiking transfer rates as a result of accumulating errors, which the [[flash memory controller]] attempts to correct.

The health of [[optical media]] can be determined by [[Optical disc#Surface error scanning|measuring correctable minor errors]], of which high counts signify deteriorating and/or low-quality media. Too many consecutive minor errors can lead to data corruption. Not all vendors and models of [[Optical disc drive|optical drives]] support error scanning.<ref>{{cite web |title=QPxTool - check the quality|url=https://qpxtool.sourceforge.io/faq.html|website=qpxtool.sourceforge.io}}</ref>