Fixing broken hard drive sectors involves a series of hardware analysis checks as well as BIOS & disk sector analysis. This post shows you the tools and techniques that can be used for effective analysis and even repairs of disk problems.
The starting point is to begin with mechanical checks. Open up the PC and make sure that all cables are in good condition, that the connector pins are not broken and that the broken hard drive is connected correctly to each cable. You may need to clear out dust from the PC since this can lead to overheating of the hard drive itself. Visually inspect the drive for signs of any burned components or signs of heat damage. This indicates electronic faults and you should seek professional help to get this hdd repair completed.
broken hard drive
Software checks are more easily accomplished without having to open up the PC. Start by running the BIOS menu (as Windows boots) and checking it identifies your broken hard drive correctly. If there are conflicts with other components/hardware then try removing these at least temporarily to test if your BIOS can correctly pick up the drive.
Another key software check is to scan the drive for bad sectors. A broken hard drive sector can occur due to seized components in the platter, spindle damage or read/write head misalignment. But it can also occur due to software faults. Complete a HDD repair of bad sectors using Windows Error Checking application. This program is also run if you decide to use the Windows emergency boot disks.
Your final option to attempt is to use data recovery software. Load the application onto a separate partition from the broken hard drive and scan it for any data/files you can retrieve. If the computer won’t start then take out the broken hard drive, place it in an external drive casing and connected to the second PC for scanning.
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