What do I do if my hard disk fails to work?

Published: July 18, 2022

A hard disk is like the brain of your computer. It's responsible for storing programs, information, photos and anything that involves memory. Sometimes the hard disk can fail, and there are times when that data can be lost, and other times you can recover the data. 

So, how do you know if your P.C’s hard disk is about to fail? Here are some of the common signs.

• Overheating
• Messages that data or files are corrupt
• Computer sluggishness
• Recurring error messages
• The computer system won't boot up
• Strange sounds
• Blue system fail screen

Systems for failing Mac hard drives are the same as P.C., with a few differences, such as.

• Applications running erratically 
• Folders or files disappearing or inaccessible
• iOS freezing or stuttering

If you notice any of these signs coming from your computer, you can try a few things to get it running back to normal again. The first thing you want to try is running a disk defragmentation tool, or disk defrag, as it's most often called. 

A disk defrag will clear any clutter in your hard drive that could be causing it to run slower or stop working altogether. If your computer doesn't have a built-in defrag tool, you can download a free one by Google searching.

You can also check the hard drive status on Windows by running a S.M.A.R.T. test. S.M.A.R.T stands for self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology. 

To run a S.M.A.R.T test on Windows, follow these steps:

1. In the taskbar, type CMD to open the command prompt.
2. In the command prompt, type, wmic diskdrive get status and press Enter.
3. If the status reads OK, then there are no issues with your disk drive. But if it reads Pred fails. You have one or more problems with your disk drive.

You can run a S.M.A.R.T test on Mac using these steps:

1. Open Applications on Finder, go to Disk Utility. Click on Disk Utility. 
2. In the left panel, select the main disk.
3. Under S.M.A.R.T status, it will display either Verified or Failure. 

Before fixing your hard drive on either PC or Mac, it's important to backup any important data on an external hard drive. 

Once you have all of your important files backed up, you can try wiping out your hard drive to clear any issues. Once the hard drive is clean, you can reinstall the programs and files. 

Sometimes the issue can be as simple as dirty vents. Built-up dirt and dust can prevent air flow which will cause the computer to overheat and slow down. 

Loose cables will also cause issues; check power and hardware cables for any connection issues. 

If the hard disk continues to fail, it is best to take your computer to an expert. They will be able to determine the issue and decide on whether or not the disk needs replacing. This is where The Computer Geek can help. We specialize in all things computers and websites. 

For more information on our services, visit our website or call (905)426-1784.