How to Read From a Bad Hard Drive
We all rely heavily on our computers, using them in just about every facet of our lives. Our computer hard drives store everything from family budgets to baby pictures, music libraries to multimillion-dollar business proposals. So if you turn on your PC and see the dreaded "hard drive failure" error message, here are some tips on getting back your important files from a faulty hard drive.
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Things You'll Need
- Phillips head screwdriver
- USB hard drive enclosure (optional)
- Second PC to troubleshoot the hard drive
- File recovery software
Instructions
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1
Confirm that the hard drive is faulty. Shut down your PC and remove the power cable. Open the computer case and locate the hard drive--it will typically be a small metal box about 3 1/2" wide x 5 or 6" long. The hard drive will be connected by a data cable and a power cable. Gently remove these cables from the drive. Remove the hard drive. Some models have mounting brackets that can be removed without tools; others require you to unscrew four to six screws to release the hard drive.
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Hook up your hard drive to another PC for troubleshooting by installing the drive in a USB enclosure. Open the enclosure case, secure the hard drive with screws or a mounting bracket and seat the data and power cables in the back of the hard drive. Power up the enclosure and connect it to the PC using a standard USB cable.
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As an alternative to Step 2, connect the hard drive directly to the second PC's motherboard. Shut down the second PC and remove the power cable. Open the computer case and locate the hard drive data cable, which will be connected to the PC's existing hard drive. You can also disconnect the data cable from an existing CD-ROM or DVD drive and attach that to your hard drive. Remember the original cable location so you can replace it when finished.
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Seat the data cable and a spare power cable (there should be extra connectors chained off the existing hard drive's power cable) in the back of your faulty hard drive. Don't mount the bad hard drive in the second PC's case--position the hard drive so it is supported by the case or use a box or stack of books to support the drive.
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Boot up the second PC. Launch "My Computer" and look for the bad hard drive listed there. Double click the drive and see if you can view your files and copy them elsewhere. Highlight the files you wish to copy, click the "Edit" menu and then the "Copy" command. Navigate to the folder where you want to copy the files and click the "Edit" menu and then the "Paste" command.
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Use a file recovery utility if you cannot access your files due to data errors. File recovery utilities can rescue your data, but they will not always work. Download or purchase a recovery program and install it on the second PC. Follow the instructions provided with the software to attempt a recovery.
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Contact a data recovery agency if the hard drive is physically damaged (making clicking, grinding or other noises). These companies can recover data from even badly damaged disks. They are usually expensive but very effective, so it can be worth the cost for irreplaceable files.
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As a last resort, place the hard drive in the freezer for an hour--the cold will contract the metal and can realign the disk enough to read it temporarily. If that doesn't work, rap the side of the hard drive against a table--this can knock the platters back into alignment. Copy your data immediately if either of these methods work - they are only temporary fixes. These methods can damage your drive further--use them only after exhausting other options.
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Tips & Warnings
• Make sure to contact a data recovery service if you are dealing with irreplaceable files. Attempting to fix the hard drive yourself can cause more damage and permanent data loss. • Hard drives are sensitive magnetic devices--be careful not to expose them to water, physical shock or static electricity. Before handling a hard drive, touch a piece of metal (such as your PC case) to discharge any static electricity on your hands.
