Hard Disk Crash
Hard disk crash will happen, no hard drive can escape this traumatic event. What you can do is prolong the life of your hard drive and get prepared to hard disk crash by regularly backing up you data. However, escaping the data loss disaster is possible even if hard disk crash has already happened. As long as the platters inside the hard drive are unscathed, the data can be read from them. But it is critically important not to make serious mistakes after hard disk crash and prevent further damage to your hard drive and files stored on it.
First of all, lets define what a hard disk crash is and what kind of crash you have faced (which is very likely if you are reading this page). If you cannot access the data on your hard disk, while the computer is correctly configured and all the cables and cords are properly plugged, that is the case. Your next steps depend on what kind of crash you’ve had - physical or logical. The problem is that determining the real cause of the crash can be difficult because in some cases the symptoms are similar. If you are not sure, contact a data recovery expert.
Logical hard disk crash is not that severe, you can do even without a data recovery service. In this case the data cannot be accessed because of corrupt file-system, accidental deletion of important files, system crash, etc. But the hard disk is intact and functioning. You can retrieve data using hard disk recovery software.
If the hard disk is not recognized and in addition you hear odd noises (clicking, scratching, grinding, loud whirling), that’s the physical crash. Another possible bad sign if you don’t hear any sounds at all (a working hard disk makes typical, soft noises) or your hard disk has been previously dropped/ flooded/ exposed to high temperatures or have undergone other damages, and now cannot be detected by BIOS. Turn off your computer immediately (just pull out the plug). The longer you let the damaged disk spin the worse. Don’t open the cover of you hard disk! Physical hard disk crash should the handled by recovery experts only.
If you hear those unusual sounds, but the hard disk is still functioning, BACK UP immediately, if you haven’t done so yet!
Read about the signs of impending hard disk crash to be on the safe side and avoid the data loss nightmare in future.
Harmless to use even on a CRASHED drive!
