| Computers have become an important part of our | | | | on the hard drive. Also check the power connector |
| lives. For most people it is the source of their | | | | that comes from the power supply. Be sure they are |
| livelihood. They conduct all their business with the | | | | secure and properly connected. |
| help of the computer and the internet. So when | | | | If the operating system does not load up and you |
| there is a hard drive failure, it is normally time to | | | | are getting error messages then the software on the |
| worry. | | | | hard drive is causing problems. Error messages usually |
| How can you be sure your hard drive has crashed? | | | | mean there is something wrong with the file |
| Could it be something else? If it is a virus that is | | | | structure of the operating system on the hard drive. |
| causing the trouble then you could try running your | | | | The registry can also be corrupt. |
| anti-virus software and fix the problem. Most | | | | These are some of the indications that your hard |
| Anti-virus or Anti-spyware programs will let you scan | | | | drive has crashed. If it has crashed due to a |
| your drive when you first boot your computer. Each | | | | hardware problem you could replace the hard drive |
| one is a little different so you may need to find | | | | with a different one. This will help you determine if |
| documentation or call the maker of the software. | | | | the old drive is really bad or not. Do not try this if |
| What are some symptoms? | | | | you don't have experience. |
| The obvious sign of a mechanical failure is the sounds | | | | Things to do just in case: |
| you hear. If you hear grinding, clicking or scraping | | | | Many people don't back up their data. To minimize |
| sounds or even a whirring sound when you are | | | | the possible loss of data, backup regularly. There is |
| starting your computer, you can be sure that your | | | | software available which will help you do backup and |
| hard disk has crashed or is ready to. The sound could | | | | data recovery. If there is physical damage then you |
| be a result of the read write head trying to read | | | | may not be able to recover all your data. Recovering |
| information from the hard drive. Read write heads | | | | data from a crashed hard disk needs professional |
| are part of the hard drive that moves back and | | | | help. If you haven't backed up your data it is hard to |
| forth to access information you have stored on your | | | | expect to ever get it back again. |
| hard drive. | | | | Further tests may be necessary to find the real |
| Other things that may keep your computer from | | | | problem in some cases. Leave this for the experts if |
| booting: | | | | you don't understand how to do it. Professional |
| Don't always blame the hard drive. Check the ribbon | | | | recovery can be very expensive. |
| cable that goes from the mother board to the pins | | | | |