Your computer’s hard drive (HDD) works diligently to store your data, including files, the operating system, and other software. Although rarely seen, unless it is an external drive, this workhorse is constantly performing its functions – until your computer starts to crash.
You may have seen your PC’s blue screen and restart, or your system may take an unusual amount of time to open a folder. The hard drive may be producing strange noises that you have never heard before or that you have noticed that files seem to be disappearing.
If any of these events occurred with your computer, whether Windows or a Mac, these signs indicate a failed hard drive. When your hard drive dies, which will eventually do, without proper backup, your data can also perish. To prevent this from happening, here are six sites to help you.
The red flags
If you suspect that something is wrong with your computer, always back up your files immediately. The last thing you want is a failure that results in the loss of all those irreplaceable passionate photos, working papers and projects.
Kim recommends IDrive. Tap or click here to see why IDrive cloud backup services can prevent the loss of important data.
Although you should use a program to test your hard drive, the following signs are good indicators that something is wrong:
- Reduced performance
- Sounds strange
- File corruption
Your computer therefore knows all of the above. What can you do there? If you have a Windows computer, here are some useful programs that you should get.
1. Microsoft Check Disk
Did you know that Windows computers have a built-in hard drive checker? Its name is Check disk. Here’s how to use it:
Note: Do not start this process unless you know that you can finish it without interruption, otherwise you risk further damaging your hard drive.
- Press Windows key + X >> Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type “cmd” in the search window, then press Enter and right click to select Run as administrator.
- Type the CHKDSK / P command prompt and press Enter to start scanning.
- Type CHKDSK C: / F / R and press Enter to repair the corrupted sectors, if necessary.
The root drive must be C: and the command can schedule a task at system startup. If so, press Y to schedule a task and restart the computer to run CHKDSK.
Once the verification is complete, restart your system.
2. HD Tune
HD Tune works with several types of storage devices, including internal and external hard drives, solid state drives and memory cards. The program is easy to use and offers useful tests such as a benchmark reading test, an execution and error scan.
HD Tune can help determine the health of your hard drive using S.M.A.R.T. – Self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology.
3. Partition manager
When you want to check for errors on your hard drive, try AOMEI Partition Manager. Just download it from the site, then run it on Windows 10. Right-click on the drive you want to check and go to Advanced >> Check Partition.
A window will appear and give you three options: check only the error, check and correct the error, and find the bad sectors. Choose the appropriate option for you. And that’s all! The partition manager will do the rest.
Although there are many hard drive test programs for Windows, there is no need to feel left out if you are a Mac user. Here are some macOS programs that can help.
4. CleanMyMac X
Ideal for checking and repairing the boot disk, CleanMyMac will analyze, clean and optimize your system by freeing up disk space. In addition, this software can remove obsolete caches, incomplete downloads and Mail / Photo / iTunes congestion.
Although there is a free trial version, the price of the full version starts at $ 34.95 for a Mac license.
5. PowerMyMac
Unlike other programs, PowerMyMac frees up disk space, optimizes your Mac with useful features, uninstalls applications, monitors performance and more. Download the program, then check your hard drive, SDD or even your flash drives.
Just open the program and choose Status. It will reveal the health of your CPU, memory and, most importantly, your hard drive.
6. IStat 6 menus
IStat Menus 6 is a system monitoring utility for the macOS menu bar. Event notifications include CPU and GPU usage, memory, drives, battery, network sensors, and more. In addition, the app provides S.M.A.R.T. status monitoring, detailed disk I / O and other read and write indicators.
There is a seven day free trial with a subscription required thereafter.
Saving your files from a failed hard drive
If your hard drive fails and is not recoverable, it is essential to back up all of your files. Kim recommends IDrive. Tap or click here to see why IDrive cloud backup services might be preventing this problem from happening again.
