Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

Hard drives are the basis of our computing. Using computers is tantamount to manipulating data, and the hard drive is a place where we can keep all of our data; photo albums, music, work documents, e-mail, etc. Most of the components in a computer are not mechanical. They do not wear out like a mechanical device (eg a car). But your hard drive is one of the few electronic devices with mechanical parts in modern data processing, and is therefore destined to be the first to die. It's important to be able to spot the signs of a collapsing hard drive because you may not have the budget for a comprehensive backup system to save all that data before it's lost - sometimes forever and not get more back, whatever you want to pay for it.

To step

1. Try to determine when the hard drive will stop working before it actually does. That's not always possible, and sometimes a hard drive will just stop working - but it's still important to keep an eye out for the symptoms of an impending hard drive failing so you have the chance to back up call in your data and professional help. Hard drives are extremely sensitive pieces of hardware, so don't open them to have a look unless you know what you're doing. And make sure that when you open the part, the plates are not exposed to the outside air - hard drives can only be opened in dust-free rooms (Class 100), otherwise they will be almost instantly destroyed by dust. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to back up than to get your data restored. As soon as you notice any indication that the device is going to fail, it is important to have or create a backup. When the drive breaks down, you can claim the warranty if you still have it, or buy a new drive so you can move on. Recovery can cost thousands and thousands of dollars with no guarantee that the data will all be recovered; it's definitely a ridiculous amount to pay, but there's not much more you can do other than shop around and try to get the best price. The cost of transferring a backup to a brand new drive is much less than asking a data specialist to do the same for you.
2. Watch for strange noises. If you sometimes hear strange grinding and rattling noises, it means that the drive has been damaged beyond repair - for example, if the head has crashed, which is often the case. Or it could just be that the hard drive motor is broken, or your drive is making grinding noises because of noisy bearings. If you hear strange noises, act very quickly - you probably don't have much time.
3. Watch for disappearing data and disk errors. Are you unable to save a document? Or are you sure you had a file on your desktop yesterday that is nowhere to be seen? Programs that have always worked suddenly stop working, asking for the location of a file? These are all possible indications that your hard drive has had its day. Sure, your kids may have jokingly moved your files or a virus corrupted them, but missing data is never a good sign for your drive, if you can rule out these alternate causes.
4. Check if your computer still recognizes your hard drive. This may seem obvious, but if your computer no longer recognizes the drive, chances are there is a problem with the drive and not the computer. Test the drive in another computer to see if the drive is recognized. Often this will be a logical error - unless you hear strange noises that indicate a serious mechanical problem, or a problem with the read and write head.
5. Keep track of whether your computer crashes a lot. Does your computer regularly display a blue screen or does the system suddenly restart? Does the system crash often, especially during the operating system startup? If your computer crashes frequently, especially while accessing files (such as during startup), this could be an indication that there is a problem with the hard drive.
6. Notice if your computer is running slow. It is not supposed to take half an hour to open a folder in Windows Explorer, or two hours to empty the trash. Computer users have encountered this problem frequently over the years, and it is always followed by a failing hard drive within a month or two.
7. Pay attention to noise as an indicator. As soon as the sound deviates from the norm, or there is an abundance of clicking and grinding noises coming from your hard drive, it should be turned off immediately. Know the sound of your hard drive while it is still young and ready for use, as you will have to learn to recognize the slightest differences as the drive ages.
8. Check your hard drive with chkdsk. If your computer crashes or can't find a file that was there not long ago, it means that your hard drive is on its way to the end, but it also means that there is a simple error in the file format of the drive . These types of errors can usually (but not always) be fixed using the chkdsk feature that comes standard with almost all Windows installations. To correct a file system error on drive C, open a command prompt while logged in as an administrator - if you are running Windows Vista or higher - and type "chkdsk C: / f". (If you also want to check for data errors with chkdsk, add another parameter: "chkdsk C: / f / r".)
9. Fix errors in your hard drive. The chkdsk command will check and fix the file system structure on disk C: (and check and fix any errors in data files, if the / r parameter is used). If you have more than one hard drive, it is advisable to run chkdsk on those computers as well, by replacing the C: with the letter of the corresponding drive (of that extra hard drive). E.g. E: - the command will then look like "chkdsk E: / f / r". This will fix file system errors in most cases so that the drive will work normally again. However, if the error reoccurs, either during the reboot or within 12 active hours on the same drive where the original error was, then your disk is broken and you will have to try and backup and as soon as you can before removing and replacing the drive. (It is unrecoverable and will only deteriorate further if you continue to use it.) Keep track of how long it takes to boot the system

Tips

• Logical Errors: Logical errors occur when the hard drive's electronics are broken or the software (firmware) has a problem. This type of failure is usually the cheapest and easiest to diagnose. Unfortunately, it is also an uncommon error.
• Media Errors: If the hard disk has been handled roughly, the magnetic plates are scratched, or there are read / write errors or low-level formatting problems, then this is a media error. These are also relatively rare. If the plates are scratched, the data can be considered lost.
• Why do hard drives fail?
• Read / Write Head Errors: A head problem occurs when the read / write head crashes into the boards (a head crash), the head floats unevenly above the boards, or when the wiring between the PCB and the head is faulty is - in addition to other read / write head malfunctions. This is a very common malfunction. A head crash is particularly annoying.
• Mechanical failures: Mechanical failures are probably the largest part of all hard drive problems. The engine burns out, the drive overheats, bearings stick - the kind of things you'd expect when a car isn't troubled. This can be annoying, but if the outage hasn't affected the records, you may have a chance of recovery, but at a high cost.

Warnings

• When you contact a data recovery specialist, they will inform you about the drive's shipment, although they prefer you to deliver the disc to prevent further damage.
• Don't try to be a hero. If there is time, make sure to back up your data. If there is no time - such as when the drive is making annoying noises - remove it from the computer or case, wrap it in anti-static plastic or aluminum foil, and keep it in a safe place until you can send the drive to a professional. Hard drives are very sensitive. Don't mess with it.
• When it comes to hard drives, it is important to keep a finger on the pulse and act quickly. And, of course, make extensive backups, even if you have to delay shopping for it.