How Do Hard Drives Fail?
The hard drive is the device on which all data for a computer is stored. It is one of the only devices on a computer that is made up of moving parts, so it is more prone to failure than any other component.
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Physical Failure
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The most common physical failure of a hard drive is a head crash, when the read/write head comes into contact with the magnetic platters that store the data. Other common physical failures include a motor crash, which occurs when the motor that spins the platters quits working, or a circuit board failure, which is caused by overheating.
Logical Failure
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Sometimes the data on a hard drive can cause it to fail; this is called a logical failure. A logical failure is usually caused by a corrupt data. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including the removal of important system files, a power failure during an important operation, or an infection by viruses or other malicious software. A drive suffering from a logical failure will still power on and be recognized by the computer, but it will not boot the operating system.
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Prevention/Solution
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A logical failure can be prevented by downloading anti-virus software and by taking care when deleting files. Physical failures usually cannot be prevented; eventually they will happen. Be on the lookout for warning signs. Frequent crashes, decreased system performance and lock-ups during the boot process are all signs of a physical failure. The most notable sign, though, is a loud clicking noise coming from your drive. This noise is caused by the read/write head moving back and forth, unable to retrieve data. It is usually the sign of a dead or dying hard drive.
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- Photo Credit Hard Drive image by Tabitha Little from Fotolia.com
