hard disk integrity check

[Gary W. Swearingen]

>> Does Linux also set aside those bad blocks so the HD can still be utilized?
>
> Please read the badblocks manpage, and following on from that, the mke2fs manpage, which (unsurprisingly) answer your
> question.

I'll propagate a rumor I heard: Use of "badblocks" has been obsolete
since drives started to remap their own bad blocks many years ago.
You won't find bad blocks until after your drive has found so many
that it's better used as a doorstop.

I beg to be corrected by someone with real knowledge.