How to Fix a Hard Drive Crash

Many people take their hard drives for granted. They are delicate, complicated pieces of machinery that can fail over time. Sometimes a hard drive experiences failure or an abrupt crash without warning, but there are usually signs that something is wrong. Intermittent failures, changes in performance or unexpected blue screens are all telltale signs that the hard drive is on its last legs. The most obvious sign that things aren't well is when a hard drive makes an unusual clicking, grinding or scraping noise.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spare computer Data recovery software Screwdriver

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the computer cover in place. Slide off the computer cover and locate the hard drive, which usually looks like a black plastic rectangular box enclosed in a metal casing. The hard drive will be linked to other components by a long plastic ribbon-like cord that has a long interlocking and connecting device attached to it.

2. Remove the metal housing, which should require nothing more than removing some screws.

3. Disconnect the hard drive by pulling the interlocking end of the lock ribbon cord until it comes free.

4. Unscrew anything still holding the hard drive in place, and pull the hard drive unit out of the computer.

5. Install the damaged hard drive into a spare machine as the secondary drive.

6. On the secondary machine's primary drive, install the data recovery software.

7. Fire up the machine and give it time to recovery as much of the data as it can. You won't be able to know the full extent of what was recovered until a few days have passed.

Tips & Warnings

• Today's hard disk drives are so technologically advanced that even the smallest speck of dust can disrupt the delicate balance of the drive's system.
• Unless you are a trained computer technician, you should never open the cover of the failed hard disk drive itself. Any untrained attempt to repair, salvage or recover data can completely destroy the drive and all of the data contained on it, as well as void any warranties.

References

• Salvage Data

Resources

• Urgent Recovery