Before you can repair a hard drive, you need to be aware of the signs that there is a problem. The most common are clacking sounds, computer slowdown and the blue screen. The blue screen may be accompanied by a message saying the OS cannot read from the hard drive.
Required Tools and Materials
Boot disk
Backup discs
Installation software CD
If any of those signs appear, turn off the computer immediately. Wait for a few minutes then turn the PC on again. If you can still access the OS, back up all your files and important programs. Even if you end the session without crashing, it’s only a matter of time before the hard drive crashes again.
Step 2
If the computer won’t boot, open the computer casing. Examine all the connectors. Sometimes these connectors become loose and produce disk error symptoms. Tighten the connectors. Put the cover back on. Plug the PC on and turn it on.
Step 3
If you can get into the computer, run a utility that can check the status of your disks. To repair a hard drive this way, just open the program.
Choose the appropriate options and let it run. Windows has a built- in tool for checking the hard disk. If bad sectors are reported, let the software fix it.
What these programs actually do is move the data on the bad sectors to the good ones. However, wear and tear will increase the number of bad sectors on the disk. These programs offer temporary solutions. It will give you enough time to backup your data and buy a new hard disk.
How to Use a Boot Disc
If you can’t boot into the drive, use a boot disc. Operating systems like Windows will make startup disks you can use in case of problems with the OS. Put the CD in the drive and reboot the computer. After booting, you’ll be able to access the drive. You can backup your drive or reinstall the OS.
Reformatting the Hard Drive
If you don’t want to buy a new drive, you can try and reformat the disk. This can eliminate the bad sectors on the hard disk. However, this will also remove all the data on your computer. To reformat the hard disk, put the OS installation disc into the drive and follow the prompts.
Trying to repair a hard drive is not easy. Errors and crashes can happen anytime, so you need to be prepared. As long as you back up all your files, you won’t lose anything.
