Computer Hard disk failure and prevention

Any form of computer hard disk malfunctioning is always a disaster in waiting. In this article I will be discussing about the causes of computer hard disk failure, the symptoms and how to prevent computer hard disk failure.

Types of Hard disk failure

Physical Failure: This is a type of hard disk failure which is caused by associated with the electric motor of the hard disk. Once the electric motor fails the hard disk becomes unusable. Hard disk dropping on the ground from a recognizable distance or hitting a hard surface with heavy impact can lead to physical failure.

Logical Failure: This is associated to a corruption in the filling system of a computer.

Causes of Hard disk failure

Power Problem: This is caused by over-voltage and under-voltage. Meaning the input voltage is far higher than the required voltage and also it by far not up to the required input voltage. Also, when a computer is connected to an unreliable power source where they cease and restore power as if they are playing a computer game. This type of condition is very dangerous for hard disk.

High Temperature: When a computer CPU is not well ventilated, it can lead to hard disk failure. As the heat increases, the circular disk on which magnetic data are stored expand. This expansion then leads to distortion in magnetic surface which leads to loss of data.  

Corrupted Windows Files: Corrupted windows files will lead to system not shutting down properly thereby making the hard disk to be inaccessible.

Human Error: Hard disk can fall on the ground mistakenly and thereby making it to become a dead a hard disk. Also, user can mistakenly delete some vital windows file or even edit the windows registry thereby causing fatal hard disk failure.

Hardware Failure: Some components of the hard disk itself can fail. Components like disk platter, read/write head, head actuator mechanism, spindle motor, Logic board, cable and connector etc. This type of failure in hard disk is referred to as mechanical failure.  

Symptoms of failing hard disk

1.    Computer crashes while booting to windows repeatedly.

2.    The computer cannot detect the hard disk while booting.

3.    The can’t boot at all or the computer hangs in the process of booting.

4.    Hard disk not spinning at start up.

5.    After booting up, a bank scree appeared instead of the normal desktop.

6.    Files automatically disappearance and hiding.

7.    Computer becomes very slow.

8.    Computer showing blue screen regularly.

9.    Computer reported a lot of bad sectors.

10. Strange sound coming from the hard disk

How to prevent hard disk failure

1.    Create a partition for operating system installation and another to host user’s files.

2.    Monitor the health of your computer hard disk.

3.    Make sure that the environment in which the computer resides in well ventilated.

4.    Install a device that can prevent static electricity.

5.    It is also advisable to defragment your drive regularly.

6.    Make sure that the hard disk screws are intact.

7.    Run check disk tool regularly to know if your hard disk contains error.

8.    Always have backup solution that works.