HARDDISK DRIVE & ITS TROUBLESHOOT

PROBLEMS

INDEX

SR.NO CONTENT PAGE NO

PART A

1 Part 1: A Brief Overview of Hard 2-4

Drives on Computers

2 Part 2: How to Tell If a Hard Drive Is 5-6

Failing?

3 Action plan 7

4 Resource required 7

PART B

1 Part 3: Hard Drive Problems and 7-12

Solutions

2 Part 4: Tips on How to Use a Hard Drive 13

3 Actual resource required 14

4 Conclusion 14

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 PART- A

Part 1: A Brief Overview of Hard Drives on Computers

Before we get into the details and troubleshoot hard drives, it is

important to cover the basics. For instance, in order to work on
computer problems and solutions, you need to know what a hard disk
is and how it functions.

1.What is a hard drive?

The history of hard drives is probably as old as computers as they were

first introduced by IBM in 1956.Ideally, a hard drive is used to store all
kinds of information on a system (if it is an internal drive). It is considered
as non-volatile storage, which is different from a computer's primary
memory (RAM). An internal drive is connected to the system's
motherboard as well as a power socket. Nowadays, external hard disks
based on flash memory are extensively used as well.

2. How does a hard disk work?

Since magnetic hard disks are still the most commonly used variety of drives, we will
consider its example to explain how it works. Ideally, it is a cylindrical unit that consists
of various magnetic plates. Each plate is divided into numerous tracks and sectors. The
plate consists of minute units that are used to store data in a binary form (0 or 1). A
spindle is located in the middle of the disk that rotates the unit.

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Now, whenever we wish to access or store data, a read/write head is moved to particular area
spindle rotates the drive and the head either reads or writes the data on it.

3.What are the different types of hard disks?

Ideally, hard disks can be distinguished into different categories on the basis of numerous
parameters like these:

On the basis of technology: Mostly, hard disks can either be HDD (Hard Drive
Disk) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).HDDs are based on magnetic disks, have slow
processing, and are cheaper. Since they have a read/write head, they produce a
sound while operating. On the other

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 hand, SSDs are based on flash memory and does not produce any sound. They are
safer, faster, and more expensive.

• On the basis of use: Hard disks can also be categorized as internal or external. An
internal drive is the native storage of the system which is placed inside the unit. An
external drive is an extended storage unit that is used to take a backup or transfer
data. It can be connected to the system via a USB cable.

• On the basis of size and format: Needless to say, hard disks can be of
different sizes ranging from gigabytes and of various disk formats.

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Part 2: How to tell if a Hard Drive is failing?

Before a hard drive fails entirely, it gives us certain signs that we should not ignore.
Here are some of the major symptoms of hard drive problems that we should take
seriously.

Sign 1. Hard drive clicking sound

A lot of times, users complain of a peculiar clicking sound made by the hard drive's head. It
usually happens when there is an inconsistent power supply for the disk or physical damage
on one of the plates.

Sign 2. Access Denied

When users try to access the disk or a partition, they often get the access denied prompt. This
means that the system can't locate the hard disk or a particular partition in it. A loose connection
or corrupt storage can trigger this event.

Sign 3. Repeated crashing

If the computer or the hard drive crashes repeatedly, then consider it as one of the vital
symptoms of a bad hard drive. The disk can stop working out of the blue at anytime.

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Sign 4. Inaccessibility of data
There are times when the data stored in the disk is lost or inaccessible. This is both, a
hard drive problem as well as a symptom for further issues.

Sign 5. OS can't be loaded

While booting the system, you might get a recovery screen stating that the system can't load/locate
certain files. This is directly related to a hard drive malfunction.

Sign 6. Abort, Retry, Fail?

This is again one of the common hard disk failure symptoms as it occurs when the system
can't locate the entire OS or some crucial files. It means the system has aborted an operation,
retried, and failed.

Sign 7. Sector not found

Sometimes, the hard disk can have a bad sector or two. In this case, your computer will inform
you the same by
displaying a similar warning message. This can be major hard drive problems symptoms that you
should not ignore.

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 ACTION PLAN

Planne Planned Name of

Sr.No Details of Activity d Start Finish Date Responsible Team
Date Members
1 Finalization of topic 18-04-2023 18-04-2023 Rutuja Ghungarde
2 Project definition and planning 19-04-2023 19-04-2023 Srushti Shinde
3 Requirement Gathering 21-04-2023 21-04-2023 Antara Kale
4 Implementation On project 22-04-2023 24-04-2023 Siddhi Shinde
5 Integration and Testing 25-04-2023 26-04-2023 Jadhav Payal
6 Documentation 27-04-2023 28-04-2023 Karle Nita

RESOURCES REQUIRED

Sr.no Name Of Specifications Quantity Remark

. Resource/material
1 Computer System Any desktop PC with attached 1 -
Hard disk
2 External hard disk - 1 -

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 PART-B

Part 3: Top 5 Hard Drive Problems &Solutions

There are different hard drive problems that users can encounter, resulting in its
malfunction in numerous ways. Let's cover some of these common hard drive issues here.

Disk Error 1. Hard Drive Not Found

Chances are that while turning on your system, you might get the "Hard Drive Not
Found" error on the screen. This makes your system standstill as it will not respond to
most of the usual commands. The hard disk problem occurs when the internal cable
connecting it has been damaged or is loose. Water or physical damage can also lead to
this problem. A logical partition can also be lost or corrupted, in this case.

Solution 1: Perform a hard reset

This is the easiest way to fix this hard drive malfunction issue. Simply turn your
system off and remove its power battery. Also, disconnect all kinds of peripheral
devices from it and press the Power button for 15 seconds. After waiting for a while,
connect the battery/power cord (not the peripheral device) and turn it on.

Solution 2: Check for physical damage

While this might be a tedious job, you can consider opening up your system and checking
the hard drive connection. If the connection is loose, then you can visit a professional as it
would require soldering.

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Disk Error 3. Can't Boot the System
Since the internal hard drive also stores the firmware and the operating system, its failure
can also result in the booting of your system. There are all kinds of prompts that users get in
this case when the system can't boot. It happens when there is a change in the BIOS settings
or the essential system files have been lost. The partition where the operating system has
been installed can also get corrupt, resulting in this computer problem.

Solution 1: Restore default BIOS settings

If there is an issue with your system's BIOS settings, then this will fix it. Turn on your
computer and keep pressing the BIOS key, which can be F10, F12, F2, DELETE, etc. Once
you enter the BIOS window, press F9 to restore the default settings. Exit it and restart your
system now.

Solution 2: Perform an advanced startup

You can also take the assistance of a bootable media or a Windows installer to startup
your system. Firstly, go to Windows Settings > Recovery > Advanced Setup and click on
the "Restart Now" button. Also, connect a Windows CD/DVD or a bootable media to
your system. This will let you reinstall Windows on the system or boot it from
another media

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Disk Error 6. Corrupted Files
Corruption of system files usually occurs when the system shuts down suddenly, making
it impossible for you to access your hard drive and thus your system. Some of the
reasons for the corruption of the system files include power surges, use of malicious
programs, accidental closure of a running program, and improper shutting down of the
PC.

Solution: Close programs before PC shutdown

The solution to this problem is to make sure that you close down all programs that are
running before commencing to shut down your computer. Moreover, when shutting down
the computer, you must do so in a standard manner. In addition to this, you should avoid
installing malicious programs on your hard drive and keep cleaning it regularly so that no
unwanted programs remain there for long.

Disk Error 7. The Request Failed Due to Fatal Device Hardware

This is a fatal error that users get while working on an internal or external hard drive. While
it is mostly linked to a hardware issue related to a device, sometimes even a logical error
can also trigger this situation. If you are trying to access or copy a file that is no longer
available, then you will get a hard disk error like this. Apart from a loose connection
corrupt configuration, or incompatible driver can also be a trigger.

Solution 1: Reconnect the disk

If these drive problems have occurred due to a loose connection, then you should consider
this approach. Disconnect the external hard drive and restart your computer. Now, try to
connect it again and check if the system detects the drive. You can consider disassembling
the system and check if the internal hard drive has been connected properly or not.

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Solution 2: Reset the driver
There are times when the hard drive malfunctions due to a driver related issue. In this
case, you can consider resetting the driver to resolve this hard disk problem. Go to the
Device Manager from the Start menu and expand the "Disk Drives" option. Select and
right-click the driver option. From here, you can disable the device. Wait for a while and
enable it again to resolve this hard drive issue.

Disk Error 8. The Disk is Full

This is certainly one of the most common hard drive problems that users face. If you
have accumulated a lot of data on your disk, then it can run out of space. Not only can it
corrupt your hard drive or cause it to malfunction, but it would also make your system
run slow. The accumulation of tons of photos, videos, documents, and other unwanted
files. You could have installed numerous unwanted applications as well. The frequent
partitioning of the disk can also lead to its fragmentation.

Solution 1: Deleting unwanted content

The easiest fix for this hard disk error is the deletion of any unwanted content. Just
go to your disk's partition and start removing the videos, photos, documents, etc.
that you no longer want. Just make sure that you don't remove any important system
files in the process. Also, visit the Recycle Bin and empty it to make more free
space on the disk.

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 Solution 2: Uninstall unimportant applications
If you have installed lots of applications and programs on your system, then consider
getting rid of them. To do this, go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and
Features. In the newer Windows versions, go to Applications under Settings. Now,
just select the program you want to remove and click on the "Uninstall" button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the selected program and restart your
computer.

Disk Error 10. Heat

Heating is a common problem associated with hard disks. If the system is overused, the fans of the
hard disk start moving slowly and the system starts heating up immediately after being booted.
Moreover, clicking noises can be heard from the hardware of the system too which is an indication
that the hard disk is overheated. The reason for this is the lack of proper ventilation or a faulty
CPU fan which overheats the system to the point that the hard disk crashes.

The solution to the heating issue is to ensure that the CPU fan has been installed
properly and is providing sufficient cooling to the hard disk. Moreover, you can
install an application that keeps you notified about the temperature of your hard disk.
If it starts exceeding the maximum limit, shut down the PC for a while and let it
cool down before in your work.

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Part 4: Tips on How to Use a Hard Drive
By now, you must be able to fix all kinds of hard drive problems and related issues.
Though, if you do not want to face any
unwanted situation like this in the future, then consider the following tips:

1. Check hard disk's health regularly

A lot of users don't know this, but you can check the health of a hard disk on Windows
pretty easily. All you need to do is launch Command Prompt and enter the "wmic"
command. It stands for Windows Management Instrumentation Command and will check
the working of the disk. If the health is critical, then you can take a backup of your data and
perform different repairing steps.

2. Keep at least 20% storage free

Needless to say, if you will cram your hard drive with too much data, then it can affect its
overall functioning. Make sure that you keep at least 20% of the total space free to keep it
running smoothly.

3. Avoid unexpected shutdown

Try not to turn your system off while an application or a crucial process is still being running
in the background. This with a system file or process related to its hard disk.

4. Keep your system updated

If you don't want to suffer from any compatibility issue or a malware attack, then make sure
that you keep your system updated. It will install all the essential patch files and keep the
drivers up to date.

5. Avoid overheating and physical damage

Last, but most importantly, try to avoid any unwanted physical or water damage to your system.
Also, make sure that the disk is not exposed to a magnet, which can lead to data loss in it. Keep
the system ventilated or place it on a cooling pad to prevent the overheating of the drive.

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ACTUAL RESOURCES USED

Sr.no. Name Of Specifications Quantity Remarks

Resource/material
1 Computer System Any desktop PC with attached 1 -
Hard disk
2 External hard disk - 1 -

CONCLUSION

Troubleshooting is a systematic approach to solving a problem. The goal of troubleshooting is to

determine why something does not work as expected and explain how to resolve the problem.

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