Hard Disk Health
Hard disk health is an important factor in maintaining the overall health of your computer or laptop. A hard disk failure can lead to data loss and can be a major inconvenience.
All your important files might get corrupted by a hard disk failure. Computers run too slow that people get annoyed.
And believe me, those Data Recovery Centres charge very heavily, so it's important to regularly check the health of your hard disk to ensure that it is functioning properly.
1. Use the built-in diagnostic tools
All laptops and desktops have a inbuilt tool which you can use to check your hard disk health. No software installation is required but this step takes a little long time, but it does the job. These tools are usually accessed through the BIOS or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) of your computer, which is the interface that you see when you first start your computer(The Blue screen interface).
To access the diagnostic tools, you'll need to restart your computer and press the key that opens the BIOS or UEFI settings (this key is usually F2, F10, or Del). For safe side, press all the keys simultaneously. You might not get in the first attempt, so don’t worry. Try again. Once you're in the BIOS or UEFI settings, you'll need to go to the section that contains the diagnostic tools. The exact location of this section varies depending on your motherboard and BIOS version, but it is usually found under a section called "Diagnostics" or "Tools".
Once you are in the diagnostic tools section, you'll be able to run a variety of tests to check the health of your hard disk. These tests usually include a short test, a long test, and a surface scan, which checks for bad sectors on the hard disk. It's a good idea to run all of these tests to get a good understanding of the health of your hard disk.
Remember, these tests take time so don’t panic.
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2. Use third-party diagnostic tools
In addition to the built-in diagnostic tools, there are also many third-party diagnostic tools that you can use to check the health of your hard disk. These tools are usually more advanced and can provide more detailed information about the health of your hard disk. Some popular third-party diagnostic tools include:
CrystalDiskInfo:
This is a free tool that provides detailed information about the health of your hard disk, including the current temperature, the number of hours that the hard disk has been in operation, and the number of bad sectors.
HDDScan:
This is another free tool that allows you to perform a variety of tests on your hard disk, including a surface scan, a read test, and a write test.
HD Tune:
This is a paid tool that provides detailed information about the health of your hard disk, including the transfer rate, the access time, and the health of the hard disk's firmware.
If you do not know your hard disk manufacturer, follow these steps:
3. Hard Disk Manufacturer Tools
Some popular hard disk manufacturers have their own tools which you can download and use it for free. These tools are better than inbuilt BIOS test. I have given the link of WD, Seagate and Samsung tools to download.
If you do not know your hard disk manufacturer, follow these steps:
1. Left Click on Start icon.
2. Search Device Manger. Open it.
3. Click on the arrow next to Disk drives. It will expand.
4. Congratulation. Now you know your hard disk manufacturer.
Once you are in the diagnostic tools section, you'll be able to run a variety of tests to check the health of your hard disk. These tests usually include a short test, a long test, and a surface scan, which checks for bad sectors on the hard disk. It's a good idea to run all of these tests to get a good understanding of the health of your hard disk.
4. Check for S.M.A.R.T. status
S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a technology that is built into most modern hard disks. Old computers and laptops may not have this tool. It is used to monitor the health of the hard disk and to predict potential failures.
To check the S.M.A.R.T. status of your hard disk, you can use either the built-in diagnostic tools or a third-party tool. To check the S.M.A.R.T. status using the built-in diagnostic tools, you'll need to access the BIOS or UEFI settings and navigate to the S.M.A.R.T. section. In this section, you should see the S.M.A.R.T. status of your hard disk. If the status is "OK", then your hard disk is functioning properly.
Don’t know how to get into BIOS? Read method 1 again.
If the S.M.A.R.T. status of your hard disk is "FAIL", then it means that there is a problem with your hard disk and it is likely to fail soon. In this case, immediately back up your important data and replace the hard disk as soon as possible. Or better, get a SSD they are really fast.
To check the S.M.A.R.T. status using a third-party tool, you'll need to download and install the tool on your computer. Once you've done this, you can launch the tool and it will automatically detect the S.M.A.R.T. status of your hard disk.
5. Check for error messages
If you are experiencing problems with your hard disk, you may see error messages displayed on your screen. These error messages can be a good indication of the health of your hard disk and can help you troubleshoot any issues that you are experiencing.
Some common error messages that may indicate a problem with your hard disk include:
Disk boot failure
Disk read error occurred
No bootable device
If you are experiencing any of these error messages, it is important to troubleshoot the problem as soon as possible to prevent data loss and to ensure that your hard disk is functioning properly.
6. Check for unusual noises
Another way to check the health of your hard disk is to listen for unusual noises. Hard disks that are functioning properly should make very little noise, so if you start hearing strange noises coming from your hard disk, it could be an indication that there is a problem.
Some common noises that may indicate a problem with your hard disk include:
Grinding or clicking noises
Whining or buzzing noise
Rattling noises
It is important to stop using the hard disk immediately to prevent further damage and to ensure that you don't lose any important data.
7. Check for performance issues
If you notice that your hard disk is taking longer than usual to open program and files or that your computer is running slower than usual, it could be an indication that there is a problem with your hard disk.
8. Check for overheating
Overheating can cause a variety of problems with your hard disk, including data loss and hard disk failure. To check the temperature of your hard disk, you can use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo or HDDScan. These tools will show you the current temperature of your hard disk and will alert you if the temperature is too high.
Overheating may be due to:
Dust and dirt buildup
Insufficient cooling
High Room temperature
It is important to stop using the hard disk immediately to prevent further damage and to ensure that you don't lose any important data.
9. Check for power issues
Faulty power supply:
If your power supply is not providing enough power, it can cause problems with your hard disk. To prevent this, you should use a high-quality power supply and to make sure that it is compatible with your computer. Wrong adapter can even damage your laptop motherboard. Always use Original adapters.
Power surges:
Power surges can cause damage to your hard disk and can lead to data loss. To prevent this, it is important to use a surge protector and to unplug your computer during storms or when it is not in use. We get many complaint of hard disk failure during rains
Forced Shutdown:
If your hard disk is turned off suddenly due to a power outage, it can cause problems with the file system and lead to data loss. To prevent this, it is important to use a UPS to keep your computer running during a power outage. Switching off your desktop directly from Electric board can also cause hard disk failure. Always do a proper shutdown of your computer.
10. Check for physical damage
Physical damage to your hard disk can lead to data loss. To check physical damage, you'll need to open your computer and inspect the hard disk for any visible damage. Physical damage occurs rarely but are not impossible. If you are not confident do not open your laptop or desktop. Get a professional service.
Signs of physical damage are:
Physical cracks or breaks on the hard disk
Loose or missing components
Leaking fluids
Conclusion
I hope you got all your answers about Hard Disk Health. If you need professional repair service in Kolkata or Howrah, you can call us.
If I helped, please let me know in the comments:)