External HDD checking tool ??

[raksrules]

I need to run a check (all possible) on my external HDDs. Please recommend a good (preferably freeware) tool which i can use to run tests on my HDDs. Specifically i want to check the HDD for bad sectors and anything abnormal so as to ensure protection of my data before things get out of hand.

[Disc_Junkie]

ou Use Disk Doctor in Tune Up Utilities(shareware but you can use the trial version). It's one of the best AFAIK or you can use Ariolic Disk Scanner if you want a freeware.