On 10.04,9.10,9.04 and I don't know how far back, the system
automatically tests the condition of the hard drive on startup after a
set number of boot ups. Disk utility under administration>system> "disk
utility" will run the diagnostic and tell you the condition of your hard
drive and if you system has the ability temp and other information.
Ubuntu ain't MS, it is so much more. You can quit looking for utilities
that keep Windows working and expect that much of the work of keeping
the system in top condition works automatically under the hood.