Is an Ominous Scratching Sound Coming From Your Hard Disk?

by: jameswalsh
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However, what happens when the seemingly invincible hard disk suddenly fails? There are times when your computer screen might get completely blank, staring back at you while you stare at it in disbelief. You might even hear a screeching or scratching sound coming from your hard disk.

In all probability, this means that you are facing a hard disk crash crisis. It is important to not try your own techniques by becoming delirious. Hard disk crashes can become more severe than they already are if you try your own recovery techniques. Therefore, you should switch off your computer as soon as possible and call up a professional data recovery expert.

Why You Should Not Try DIY Software

Most DIY software will not be able to help you in case of a hard disk crash. Hard disks crashes are complicated and data recovery can be an intricate procedure. A professional data recovery expert will be able to identify the cause of the problem and rectify it so that you can get your data back intact.

Hard disks are extremely fragile and need to be handled extremely carefully and in a controlled environment. Therefore, resist any urge you may have to take out your computer’s hard disk to solve the problem yourself. It is highly likely that you will worsen the problem. For that reason, if you want your valuable data back, call up professional data recovery experts.

Why Does a Hard Disk Crash?

While hard disks offer benefits such as superior data storage capacity along with performance, these benefits give rise to some drawbacks as well.

Hard disks, due to recent innovative techniques, have platters that rotate at a very high speed. When these platters spin, a very thin film of air forms between the head and the platter in such a way that the hard disk head flies over the platter. This delicate mechanism is very easily disrupted even if the smallest particle of dust enters the platter. Let us understand in detail as to what are the various reasons due to which a hard disk crash occurs.

Parking Failure

The landing zone for the hard disk head to take-off when the hard disk is powered up and to land when the hard disk is powered down is called the parking technology. Most hard disks these days have an auto-parking feature that keeps the head of the hard disk safe. However, some older hard drives do not have this feature, which can cause a hard drive crash very easily due to the wear and tear of the hard disk head when it is powered on and off.

Dust Particles

Dust particles are the main culprit in most hard disk crashes. A hard disk can never be sealed completely because necessary air flow needs to be created so that the disk can function properly. Therefore, there are times when dust particles enter these unsealed spaces. These dust particles can hinder the movement of the hard disk head, which results in a hard disk crash.

The dust particle can disrupt the flight of the hard disk head, causing it to crash into the platter, thereby scratching it. The situation is further worsened when this crash results in subsequent spray of more dust and debris onto the platter.

Mechanical Shock

There are times when certain external or internal conditions may create a shock to the hard disk. When the hard disk is subjected to this shock in its active state, the head of the hard disk is bound to bounce and slide against the hard disk’s platter. This can scratch the platter, resulting in a hard disk crash.

Power Surges

Power surges and power cuts can have an adverse effect on how the hard disk functions. Sudden power fluctuations cause a haphazard movement of the read and write head mechanism of the hard disk. When this mechanism is disrupted, it causes the hard disk to crash.

Usual Wear and Tear

Hard disks, like any other electronic device, are prone to usual wear and tear that occurs over a period of time. Their lifespan is limited even when they are appropriately stored and handled. The usual wear and tear can occur in any part of the hard disk, which can result in a hard disk crash.

About the Author

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk

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