| A hard disk ‘crash’ is the expression of choice | | | | components found internally within the hard drive. A |
| used by computer technicians and users to convey | | | | regular ticking or a clicking sound is the audible |
| that the hard disk / hard drive of the concerned | | | | indication of an impending hard disk failure. |
| computer is either physically or logically affected, | | | | Logical errors in the format of the hard drive frequently |
| thereby not allowing for the reading or storing of data. | | | | occur due to massive fragmentation of data, |
| The hard drive fails to work. | | | | reformatting the hard drive, invalid entry in the file |
| “I/O Error”, “Serious Disk Error Writing Drive | | | | allocation table of the hard drive and improper re- |
| C:”, are some of the ominous warning messages | | | | partitioning of the hard drive. “Data Error Reading |
| that your hard drive has finally decided to call it a day! | | | | Drive C:” or “Error Reading Drive C:” or |
| After powering on the computer, you cannot hear the | | | | “Seek Error - Sector not found” are some |
| low audible sound of the spinning hard disk (don’t | | | | common clues to logical errors in the hard drive. |
| confuse this with the sound of the SMPS fan) or the | | | | Intentional destructive acts of viruses and other |
| hard disk activity indicator on the front panel of the | | | | malware can also play havoc with the hard drive’s |
| computer isn’t glowing. This could mean loose | | | | normal functioning. |
| electrical or ribbon cable connections to the hard drive. | | | | All of these above causes and symptoms of the hard |
| “Hard disk drive failure” or “Hard disk | | | | drive failure are not to be treated casually, if your data |
| controller failure” flashing on your monitor screen | | | | is precious. |
| could denote that the electronic Controller Board of | | | | Hard drives have a very short lifespan of 3-5 years, |
| your hard drive / hard disk (which orchestrates the | | | | compared to the longevity of backup mediums like |
| hard drive’s operations) is faulty or has suffered an | | | | Tape drives, Thumb drives etc. Always factor in the |
| excessive surge of electric supply / electric spike. | | | | reality that hard drives will sooner or later fail. |
| Power surges tend to destroy the logical structures of | | | | It is possible to slightly prolong the usefulness of your |
| the hard drive, as well. | | | | hard drive, if: |
| If the hard drive is forced to work in an environment | | | | • A regular schedule of de-fragmenting the hard |
| full of air contaminants, excessive levels of humidity, | | | | drive is undertaken. |
| high temperatures or salty air conditions, the metallic | | | | • ScanDisk software is used to monitor the bad |
| platters and the read/ write heads of the hard drive | | | | sectors of the hard drive. |
| conjoin. So much so, the platters are unable to spin. | | | | • A constant eye is kept on the statistics logged by |
| This in turn damages the spindle motors and the hard | | | | the S.M.A.R.T (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting |
| drive just does not respond with any signs of physical | | | | Technology) facility, which is shipped with most |
| activity. Air contaminants which swirl in and out of the | | | | motherboards and hard drives. |
| hard drive, can get jammed between the accurate | | | | It is very much possible to be insured against the |
| nano-spacing of the read/ write heads and the disk | | | | eventual failure, by taking regular backups of the hard |
| platters, thereby causing the read/ write heads to be in | | | | drive data. |
| permanent physical contact with the platter and | | | | However, when the dreaded event happens and the |
| causing hard drive ‘crash’. | | | | hard drive is uncommunicative or erratic, rush it to the |
| The drive spins but the system fails to recognise the | | | | experts rather than trying to salvage it yourself. |
| drive. “No fixed disk present” or “Fatal Error - | | | | Sometimes, Do-it-Yourself software is able to help |
| Cannot access hard disk“, is persistently displayed | | | | retrieve your data, but that's a big risk, when dealing |
| and the operating system software is unable to load. | | | | with a hard drive whose extent of damage is |
| This type of error can be due to varying causes like | | | | unknown. |
| improper jumper settings of the hard drive, loose | | | | Despite the presence of clean room facility, trained |
| hardware connections, bad CMOS settings or even | | | | technicians and proper software, extricating data from |
| due to damaged hard drive. | | | | the sunken hard drive is not an easy task even for the |
| Mechanical failure of the hard drive is primarily caused | | | | experts. Do not even dream of attempting any rescue |
| due to development of faults / wear and tear of the | | | | operations, on your own. |