How do I know if my External Hard Drive is damaged?
To find out the damage to our external hard drives, we cannot open them. Instead, we should observe the signs that our hard drive tries to provide us in different ways. It can be varied depending on the type of data storage device we use, like an SSD. Due to its compact and electronic base, the signs of failure can be different compared to a traditional hard disk, which has a magnetic base and moving parts in it.
In this post, we will discuss how we can know that our external hard drives are damaged and what essential steps should be taken if the hard drives show issues of failure or data loss.
How to Know External Hard Drive Damage
Follow the steps written below to identify the signs of external hard drive damage:-
Overheating of the Hard Drive
Both types of hard drives, a hard disk or an SSD, can give this sign of failure, but it is not a proper evident reason for damage. The causes of overheating can be many, like long use times, huge data transfers, or playing games while using an external hard drive, but a malware attack, virus attack, or internal issue in the hard drive can also cause overheating and can become the reason for hard drive damage.
Strange Sounds Coming from the Hard Drive
This sign is shown on a hard disk or HDD The hard disk has moving parts due to falling or other reasons. When the spindle motor is stuck, the arm is broken, or the head of the motor is broken, the sound of dragging comes from the hard disk, which is one of the most evident signs of damage to the hard disk. But in SSDs, due to the electrical base, it does not give such sound while falling.
Corrupted Data Files or Folders
If you are facing data corruption, scan your hard drive with registered anti-virus software If the situation persists and more files or folders are corrupted continuously, it is an evident sign of hard drive failure. The reasons for data corruption can be many, like power surges or fluctuations, malware, etc.
System Slow Down
When using an external hard drive and transferring data to your operating system, if the process slows down and the transfer period becomes lengthy, or if, while using the external hard drive in your computer, you find out that the system is so sluggish, then it can be a sign of hard drive failure.
Frequently Errors Message
If you receive frequent error messages while using your external hard drive, like a hard drive crash error message or a data corruption error message, etc., it can be a sign of hard drive damage. The reason for these messages can vary logically depending on the damage to the hard drive.
System Crash
While using an external hard drive, if you are facing a situation of a continuous system crash, it can be a sign of hard drive failure, but there can be other reasons for a system crash as well, like the system crashing due to a malware attack, overheating, or long running time. A system crash can be the reason for a hard drive failure, but it is not a direct sign.
BSOD
While using an external hard drive, if you see the screen of the operating system turn blue and you are unable to reach your data and work, it is called the ‘blue screen of death. It means there is something that happened in your operating system that makes it unable to open. There are many reasons for BSOD, including hard drive failure.
Steps to Recover Data from a Damaged External Hard Drive
If you are unable to access data from your external hard drive, follow the steps written below to recover data from your external hard drive
Step 1: Analysis and Assessment
When you are unable to access the file store on your external hard drive, the first thing you have to do for data recovery is evaluate the extent of the damage. Identify whether it’s a physical issue (e.g., damaged connectors, external casing) or if the problem is related to the internal drive.
Also, make sure that the external hard drive is properly connected to your computer. Try using a different USB port or cable to rule out connection issues.
Step 2: Use Backup
If you have backups of your important data stored on your external hard drive, then back up it, whether you store it in the cloud or on an SD card, etc. If you don’t have any backups, then make a backup of all important files while the hard drive starts showing any signs of failure to avoid data loss. if you are unable to do both, take the next step.
Step 3: DIY for Data Recovery
If your computer recognizes the hard drive but you cannot access the data, consider trying registered DIY software. But if your hard drive shows signs of physical damage, like making unusual sounds and frequently crashing or overheating, don’t try DIY.
if you don’t know why data loss happens or hard drive damage happens, it is advisable not to try this step. It can be risky, and due to this, data can be overwritten, making data recovery more complex. If the initial recovery attempts are unsuccessful, consider seeking help from professionals.
Step 4: Professional Assistance
If the drive is physically damaged or if you are not comfortable with DIY solutions, consult a professional for help with data recovery. They have the expertise and equipment to handle complex cases, like Techchef Data Recovery.
Techchef has 20+ years of experience and expertise in delivering excellence in data recovery in all scenarios of data loss, from data corruption to physically damaged hard drives. With an elite team of data recovery experts and advanced tools and technology, we have recovered data up to 100% successfully and securely.
Final Words
Recognizing signs of external hard drive damage is essential for preserving our stored data and preventing data loss. If you observe any of the signs mentioned above in this article, it’s advisable to stop using the external hard drive immediately to prevent further damage. Keeping regular backups of important data remains a practice to minimize the impact of external hard drive failures.
If you’re facing data loss on an external hard drive, don’t waste the golden time of data recovery. Contact us now at 1800–313–1737 and talk to our experts in data recovery for further steps.
