Is your system making strange sounds? Or have you been noticing weird responses from your regularly used apps? If yes, there may be a problem with your hard disk drive. You see, a hard drive is the brain of a computer system. And, any damage to it can be devastating.
Identifying the warning signs of hard disk failure can help avert this situation. It is what this blog post is going to be about. So stay with us as we outline the top symptoms of hard disk failure and what you should do to correct it.
Warning Signs of Hard Disk Failure
Here are some major signs that can indicate a hard disk failure.
System freezes
Does your system hang frequently? Or does it start displaying a blue screen or slow down suddenly? Experts say such breakdowns are usually caused by a wide range of factors, a failing hard disk being the prominent one.
If the issue persists, you should immediately turn off the device and connect with the nearest system expert, like this hard drive recovery service. Please understand that the recurrence of this issue can lead to many technical issues in your system.
Data gets Corrupted
Source: springboard.com
Any unwanted and uncalled-for changes in a file during storage, processing, or transmission are called data corruption. A corrupt file can become inaccurate, unusable, unreadable, or even inaccessible to the user. If you experience any of these, it is a prominent tell-tale sign that your hard disk is about to give up. Here are the signs that a file is corrupted:
- The folder or file name has been twisted
- The user cannot access files
- Opening, transferring, receiving, and saving files becomes difficult
- Receiving random messages
- Files displaying corrupted data
Disappearing Files
If you cannot locate files and folders in your system, then it is a clear sign that your hard disk is developing some issues. The good news is that you can retrieve your lost files from a failed hard drive as well.
However, you need to get in touch with a technician with experience in the skilled data recovery service. You can also consider running antivirus software to eradicate traces of malware from the system. Doing this will only retrieve clean and safe data that will not harm your other systems.
Unusual or Alien Sounds
If your hard disk has started making weird noises lately, it is a red flag for its well-being. Here is a range of unusual sounds that you should look out for to confirm hard disk failure:
- Click of Death is a continuous sound emitted by the head when it fails to write data effectively. This clicking sound comes only when it is trying again and again to write data.
- A grinding or screeching noise also means that your spindle motor or hardware bearing is failing.
System Crashes
Source: tomsguide.com
Does your system crash all of a sudden? If yes, it is a sign that your hard disk is failing. Here are some warning signs that your system is going to crash soon:
- Receiving occasional boot errors
- Experiencing abnormal pop-up Windows notifications
- Frequent overheating of the computer
- The system is getting unexpectedly slow
- Your computer gets overheated frequently
- The system starts performing regular maintenance
- You get occasional boot errors
Bad Sectors of Hard Disk
A bad sector or a bad block is an area of storage media that is no longer reliable for storing and recovering data. It happens when the hard disk gets corrupted or physically damaged. Here are the top warning signs of having bad sectors on the hard drive:
- The system fails to boot
- Weird sounds from the hard drive
- FDISK fails to function properly
- Disc formatting is stuck
- Continuous hard disk errors
What To Do When Your Hard Disk is Failing?
Source: foxinfotech.in
Can you do something about hard disk failures? Thankfully yes. Here are some tips:
Clean Computer Vents
First, consider cleaning your computer vents when you feel your hard disk is about to give up. You see, over time, debris and dust can clog the vents of your system. It obstructs the airflow through the computer case.
The result is the system overheating. So, you should clean the vents, allow the system to cool off overnight, and start it the next day. As long as there are no severe damages, it should work fine from the next day.
Check the Data and Power Cables
Another important thing that you should do is to check your data and power cables. At times, loose and frayed cables can also make the system malfunction. In that case, you should replace the damaged cables with new ones.
Moreover, check for both ends of the cables. And if everything seems fine with the wires, then you should consider contacting a technical expert to diagnose the matter further.
Check the BIOS
It is sometimes about something other than the hard disk. The operating system can also be the culprit. How can you identify that? When you start the system, it shows the key to check the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) setup.
You can choose the key and ensure that your system is seeing the hard drive or not. If it recognizes the hard drive, then it means that there is an issue with the operating system. You can get this problem fixed online or may need to hire a technician to get it corrected.
Listen for Sounds
Last but not least, pay attention to the noises and sounds of your system. If you hear a loud clicking sound, it means there is an issue with the hard drive. You should immediately contact a technician to get it fixed. Delaying the issue can cost you dearly in the long run.
So, this was all about the warning signs of a hard disk failure and ways to correct it. Computers are sensitive devices that can get easily damaged. So, instead of trying luck by repairing it yourself, you should consider taking it to an experienced technician. However, make sure you take the data back to be on the safer side.
