Hard Drive Crash
Hard drive crash is the worst computer disaster that may occur. Other parts can be replaced at relatively low cost, but hard drive crash signifies the loss of important data, wich can be thousands times as valuable as hardware cost.
In most general terms, hard drive crash means that you cannot access the information stored on you hard drive or the hard drive is not recognized at all, while you computer is properly configured (all the cords and devices are connected as reqiured, etc..)
In practice, the term hard drive crash often refers to both mechanical or electrical failue and logical failure. The case of mechanical / electrical hard drive crash is the worst, it requires professional help of data recovery service, recovery programs won’t help.
Hard Drive Crash Signs
There are signs of an impedning hard drive crash. If are having any of them, BACK UP ALL IMPORTANT DATA IMMEDIATELY. You are strongly advised to do regular backups. - Your computer is running properly, but you can hear abnormal, high-pitched noises: grinding, clicking, whining, scratching, buzzing. (Normally, a hard drive produces a smooth whirling sound)
- You regularly get BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)
- Your computer reboots on its own.
- Your computer “freezes” and does not respond to mouse and keyboards
- All of a sudden you get the “your hard drive is not formatted” error message at start up. After restart, you may access Windows, but that may be one of the last times.
- Accessing, saving or opening files is extremely slow.
- You get problems at startup, such as “Operating system not found or Missing Operating System” messages.
Far more ominous signs are:
- Your hard drive is not recognized at start up. Make sure nothing got stuck in your CD/DVD drives, and make sure the system is set to boot from the hard drive in BIOS settings. If everything is correct, it’s time to say goodbye to your hard drive.
- Your hard drive is clicking or making other abnormal noises, or cannot hear the usual hard drive sounds at all, and the disk is not visible.
- You got the “Operating system not found or Missing Operating System” message at start up, and was not able to boot anymore.
You’ve had a hard drive crash. Shut down, unpower the hard drive and contact data recovery service. If you keep it on, the damage may aggravate. Don’t try to repair the hard drive yourself, don’t open the cover because this procedure requires special facilities, such as cleanrooms. Or you data may be gone for good along with your hard drive. Now read how to improve chances of data / file recovery in case of hard drive crash.
Harmless to use even on a CRASHED drive!
