| There are so many reasons why your hard disk | | | | The good news is, usually, in today's |
| may crashed: | | | | technology on hard disks, if this problem |
| | | | occurs it normally will alarm you and warn |
| (1) It may be caused by mechanical or | | | | you before it will totally fails, so you |
| physical problem such as the spindle motor | | | | could get that chance to immediately back up |
| system failure. This failure is usually | | | | your files. And there are also many data |
| caused by over-heating. The activity light | | | | recovery tools available in the market today. |
| flashing that you see on your CPU (central | | | | But at times, it is cheaper to replace the |
| processing unit) indicates that its head | | | | hard drive than to fix it (unfortunately). |
| moves to different tracks. If this movement | | | | |
| fails, it can no longer read or write data. | | | | TIPS & TRICKS TO AVOID THIS DISASTER TO |
| Remember, a hard disk is a hardware | | | | HAPPEN: |
| component, not a software. It is a magnetic | | | | |
| device use to store data, it reads and writes | | | | 1. Keep your hard drive healthy by performing |
| data as it spins. | | | | defragmentation at least once a week (others |
| | | | prefers once every two weeks) |
| (2) Failure of logical system (the logical | | | | |
| partitioned drives assigned as C, D, E, F, G) | | | | 2. Run your anti-virus program everyday! Run |
| may be caused by and not limited to corrupt | | | | spyware/adware removal tool at least once |
| system files, corrupt firmware, registry | | | | every week (there are many available free to |
| components and virus infection. Spywares, | | | | download). Keep updates with all these tools |
| adwares & all other malicious files may also | | | | and programs too! Turn on your firewall & |
| cause your hard disk to crash. | | | | pop-up blocker, it protects you from |
| | | | intruders! |
| HINTS: | | | | |
| | | | 3. Remove all unknown emails, clear your bulk |
| (1) If you see the activity light flashing | | | | and spam emails immediately. |
| but the computer does not boot, the case may | | | | |
| be, your files is still intact on the hard | | | | 4. Delete all internet temporary files |
| drive but becomes inaccessible -- this may be | | | | (including all offline files) |
| because of logical system failure. Try | | | | |
| booting through a floppy disk or use the | | | | 5. Install all necessary updates on your |
| start-up disk that came with the system. | | | | computer |
| | | | |
| (2) If you don't see any activity light | | | | 6. Be very careful in downloading files from |
| flashing on the CPU and that the system can | | | | different sites (firmware usually fails |
| not start up (ofcourse after checking all | | | | because of this) |
| power cables are "on") then it is likely of | | | | |
| mechanical problem. And notice that if the | | | | 7. The last but not the list - take |
| system BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) can | | | | "backing-up" your hard drive on a removable |
| no longer recognize the hard drive, then it | | | | disk or tape as a serious task for you to do |
| is the physical/mechanical system that | | | | at least everyday or once a week especially |
| failed. | | | | if you are using it for business purposes! |
| | | | |