Thanks, artie.
DU says that my internal hard drive S.M.A.R.T. status is : Verified
Earlier this week, I did a zero-out pass before I re-installed MAVERICKS; then transferred files from the Time Machine EXHD backup.
I do not have any of the tools you mentioned. I am not adverse to using Terminal if the instructions are clear. (Don't be afraid of "taking down" to me . . . the simpler the better.)
