The Do's and Don’ts of Reacting to Hard Drive Failure
Hard drives can fail, so being prepared with backed-up data is the best way to keep your sanity. The thing is, people don’t always have their data backed up, or the backup is not current (I have been in this situation myself). The great news is there are some things you can do to increase the chances of data recovery.
It’s a stomach-dropping, adrenaline-producing moment: The computer screen goes dark, or an unfamiliar error message pops up announcing hard drive failure.
The outcome of these dramatic moments can be catastrophic or minor, and sometimes, it’s what you do during the crisis that can make the difference. Here are some valuable dos and don’ts:
Actions to Take
- Determine what’s causing the problem: a hard drive crash (also known as a physical failure) or a software issue (or, logical failure). Suppose the computer does an automatic reboot and you hear a grinding, whirring or clicking noise that sounds as if the computer is working much harder than it usually does. That probably indicates a hard drive failure, and you should consult a professional. If the drive sounds fine, most likely it’s a software problem.
- If the computer sounds fine and doesn’t go through a reboot, then think about any recent changes to the peripherals, hardware configuration or software mix. Sometimes, compatibility issues crop up unexpectedly and create problems that can seem worse than they really are. It may be necessary to call tech support or a service professional for whatever new hardware or software you recently added.
- Make sure it's not malware (i.e., software meant to harm users, installed covertly through accidental downloads). One recently discovered type of malware issues a system error alert telling users that a hard drive is about to fail. It offers a “recovery tool” that’s actually a scam program that moves a user’s files into another location to create the illusion it's fixing the problem. Be cautious about any alert messages that lead to sites asking for money for “recovery programs.”
Actions to Avoid
- If those grinding and clicking noises are present on reboot, then stop trying to boot the computer. Also, don’t reload the operating system. Unless you build hard drives for a living, your best move is to power down the computer and contact a professional data-recovery service such as Staples Tech Services. They can guide you through the process of removing the hard drive or bringing the entire machine in for repair.
- If the issue isn’t a major drive failure but instead the accidental deletion of a file, don't restart the computer, since the system may create “temporary files” that overwrite the original data. Instead, try using a data recovery program. Many options are available online and allow you to restore files, even if they’re deleted or corrupted. You can use this strategy with any type of suspected software issue.
- Don’t lose hope. Just because the computer might sound like it’s chewing on metal and eating up your data doesn’t mean everything’s gone. Data recovery is a very common strategy, and data that’s seemingly lost often turns out to be fine.
And remember: Be sure to back up your data now, well before any failure issues arise. That way, if disaster does strike, at least you know your data (and sanity) are safe.