You cannot explain what it feels like when your hard drive fails on your computer. It is challenging to consider all the work needed when no data is available. You may still be able to access your files if your hard drive is still accessible. The following article will show you how to recover your data.
There are several reasons why hard drives fail:
A product named “hard” should at least maintain some durability, wouldn’t you think? Unfortunately, that’s not true. The sensitive nature of hard drives makes them prone to damage. There are two types of hard drive crashes: physical and logical.
Hard drive crashes due to physical damage.
There are many reasons why physical hard drives may fail, including:
Temperature Issues: When your computer’s temperature is abnormally high, it can cause problems with your hard drive. Ensure your computer’s air filters are clean and its fan is functioning correctly. How long has it been since you last heard it click on? Are you experiencing a sudden stop-and-start?
In most cases, water damage does not affect the data on a hard drive itself, but the device’s hardware may be unable to boot because of the damage. Liquids should be kept away from electronic devices as much as possible.
Hard drives commonly fail due to age. There is a risk of a hard drive failure with the aging of the drives, as they degrade over time.
If you replace your physical hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD), you may avoid some of the difficulties caused by physical hard drive crashes. Due to their small size, fewer moving parts, and durability over time, SSDs tend to be more durable than conventional hard drives.
Crashes on a logical hard drive
The operating system (OI) cannot access any data when there is a logical error on the hard disk.
You may encounter a blue screen or notice that your user interface is slow, or you may lose data when you encounter such a problem. Malware or computer viruses are the most common causes of logical hard drive failures. Alternatively, it may result from human error, such as the deletion of an important file or a change to the configuration of the hard drive.
If an external drive fails, data cannot be accessed on the hard drive. Moreover, the computer cannot start fully if an internal drive is damaged. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether the problem lies with the hard drive or a laptop. The assistance of a specialist can be beneficial in this situation.
Now that we have discussed why your hard drive does not function let us move on to the solution. Let’s move on to the next step repair your hard drive.
The steps you should take to try to fix your hard drive
You can retrieve your data by following these steps. Steps become more complex as you proceed down the list. Without the relevant knowledge, it is not recommended you attempt DIY software and hardware repairs (steps 4 and 5), as this could result in the permanent loss of your data. The best course of action is to have your hard drive repaired by a professional if you are in doubt.
Step 1: Determine whether there is any damage
Has liquid or moisture been spilled on your computer or laptop? Did you experience the frightening “blue screen of death”? To determine the cause of the problem, you should examine the physical damage to your machine. An example of a physical cue would be:
- Several dent marks are visible on the computer or laptop.
- There are cracks on the laptop screen or computer monitor.
- On the inside, there are burn marks or scorch marks.
Step 2: Restart your computer and check the power
This is to ensure that the power source is functioning correctly. Is everything properly connected, such as your computer or its internal components?
You should ensure that your machine is connected to a reliable power source. Power off your computer entirely and perform a hard reboot. To accomplish this, it is necessary to press and hold the power button for approximately five seconds. Push the power button again after waiting 30 seconds.
Step 3: Try To Access The External Drive
It is possible to access your hard drive as an external drive by purchasing a hard disk case, such as this one from Amazon. The drive must be removed, placed in the hard disk case, and connected to another device, such as a computer or laptop. You can only use this method if you do not have a hard drive integrated into your computer.
Step 2: Do not attempt without adequate knowledge
It is highly recommended that you do not attempt the following two steps if you are unfamiliar with them, as you run the risk of irreversible data loss. It is recommended to take your hard drive to a hard drive repair specialist if you are unsure whether or not your necessary data is at risk. A hard drive repair specialist will have the necessary knowledge to assist you in retrieving your lost data.
Step 4: Repairing software yourself
There are methods for checking and repairing your external or internal hard drive, regardless of whether you are using Windows or Mac. You can perform these methods from the comfort of your own home. Despite this, these programs are unsuitable for those without software expertise.
When using Windows
To determine the status of your hard drive, you should use Windows Tools. Files found in defective areas are detected and recovered by analyzing the hard drive. If your hard drive is completely inaccessible, you may be able to find the problem and resolve it by using a free software program called TestDisk. Although this program is free, it is a bit complex to use.
When using a Mac
You can obtain information regarding the health of your hard drive by using the Self Monitoring Analysis and Repair Technology System (SMART) on the OSX operating system. With SMART, you can determine whether a drive needs replacement or if a hardware failure is present. Various tools are available to you when you locate the problem, regardless of whether you are working with a Windows or Mac system. 3C’sdata recovery services may be the best solution if you believe all of this has gone over your head.
Step 5: Repairing hardware on your own
If you wish to keep the repairs in-house, you may do the hardware repairs yourself. Although the process may seem simple, you should be aware that it can be complicated, and it should only be undertaken if you possess the necessary tools and knowledge to be successful. Alternatively, you may end up causing more harm than good to your machine.
Do you still have a warranty on your computer? You may void your warranty if you open up your machine to make repairs yourself. Before attempting any hardware repair, we recommend contacting your service provider.