author avatar
1 April 2024  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
 

Summary
Discover the typical factors leading to hard drive failure and explore proven techniques for fixing these issues. Recover your missing files effortlessly by applying the strategies outlined here.



Table of contents

table iconI. Common causes and repair methods of hard disk damage
table iconII. Use Renee Undeleter to recover hard disk data
table iconIII. What are the precautions when using the hard disk?
how to fix corrupted hard drive

I. Common causes and repair methods of hard disk damage

1. Common causes of hard disk damage

If your hard disk is damaged, it may not be recognized or accessible, and the data could be at risk of loss or damage. This can occur due to several common reasons.
● Power supply or connection error: If the hard disk is not recognized due to a power supply or connection error, inspect and ensure that the power supply and connection cables are properly secured to resolve the issue.
● Virus Infection: A virus or malware attack on the hard disk can lead to various issues. Conduct virus scans and remove any detected threats to resolve these problems.
● Equipment failure: can occur due to substandard hard disk quality or external impacts, which may lead to compromised computer and hard disk performance.
● File system errors can damage the hard disk. Attempt to repair the file system if this occurs.
● Bad sector: A bad sector on a hard disk drive can hinder normal access and risk data loss. It’s crucial to repair the faulty disk promptly to ensure the system bypasses bad sectors during data storage.

2. Conventional methods for repairing faulty hard drives

Should the device remain faulty after attempting the basic repair methods, consider employing the following additional techniques to rectify the issue:
① Use the built-in hard disk repair function of Windows
Windows devices have a built-in hard disk fault inspection and repair function. The specific operations are as follows:
Step 1: Open This PC, right-click the target hard drive, select Properties, navigate to the Tools tab, and click Check.
check disk
Step 2: Next, select the (Scan and repair drive) option in the error checking interface, then wait for the scan and repair according to the prompts.
scan drive
② Run the Chkdsk program
To address file system issues resulting from bad sectors, utilize the Chkdsk utility. For comprehensive guidance, click here to gain insight into Chkdsk and its repair procedures.
Step 1: Connect the defective hard drive to your computer. In the search bar located at the bottom-left corner, enter cmd, then select Run as administrator to open the Command Prompt.
run as administrator
Step 2: Open the command prompt, type chkdsk X: /r /f (replace X with your hard drive letter), and press Enter. This will repair hard disk errors. Once complete, verify if the hard disk functions correctly.
Enter the disk repair command
③ Format the hard disk
Formatting a faulty hard disk can often fix a variety of issues, effectively restoring its functionality. To format the hard disk, follow these steps:

Step 1: Attach the malfunctioning hard drive to your computer. Press Windows+X simultaneously on your keyboard, and choose Disk Management from the menu that appears.
windows disk management right click start
Step 2: Next, find the device that needs to be formatted, right-click on it and select the (Format) option.
format drive
Step 3: Select the suitable file system: FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT. For Windows-exclusive utilization, choose NTFS. Check the option ‘Perform quick format‘ and click ‘OK‘. Executing the format can resolve multiple hard disk complications.
quick Format
Attempting to fix a damaged hard disk risks significant data loss, particularly if formatting is involved. To avoid permanent data loss, it’s crucial to use a specialized data recovery tool if you haven’t backed up your data beforehand. For this purpose, Renee Undeleter is highly recommended.

II. Use Renee Undeleter to recover hard disk data

1. What is Renee Undeleter?

Renee Undeleter is a software designed for restoring various data files. Ideal for situations where you’ve accidentally deleted files, emptied the recycle bin, or formatted a disk/storage device, this tool can recover lost data. It features four key modules: file recovery, format recovery, partition recovery, and image creation, providing a comprehensive solution to a wide range of data loss scenarios.
Hot Topic - ADsRenee Undeleter – Simple & Powerful Software for Data Recovery

Easy to use Recover data by 3 steps;

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan;

Supported file types Image, video, audio, text, email and so on;

Image creation Create a partition image to read and back up data;

Supported devices SD card, SDHC, SDXC, USB flash drive, hard disk and computer.

Easy to use Recover data by 3 steps;

Multiple scan modes Fast partition/whole partition/whole disk scan;

Supported devices SD card/USB/hard disk.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial 800 people have downloaded!

2. How to recover data from hard disk with Renee Undeleter?

Step 1: Download and install Renee Undeleter. Launch the program and choose the “Whole Disk Scan” option from the main interface. Important: Install the software on a different disk to avoid overwriting the data you wish to recover.
select whole disk scan to scan disk in renee undeleter
Data Recovery Features:

  • Fast Partition Scan: Recovers files deleted accidentally or from emptied recycle bins.
  • Whole Partition Scan: Restores files from formatted or inaccessible partitions.
  • Whole Disk Scan: Analyzes partition info for a comprehensive scan.
  • Image Creation: Generates a partition mirror for backup purposes.
Step 2: Next, select the hard disk device to be scanned, and click (Next). Select (default setting) on the advanced setting interface.
select a disk to recover in renee undeleter
Step 3: The software will commence a thorough analysis of the hard disk. You’ll be prompted to “select the partition you need to scan.” You have the option to select a specific partition or you can choose to scan all, though the latter is more time-consuming. After the scan is complete, you will have the ability to preview the files in the right-hand panel. Select the files you wish to recover, and then click the Recover button to initiate the restoration process.
preview before recovery
undeleter preview ppt
Step 4: Select the target folder and click Browse to choose a different disk for saving the recovered files. Then, press the Recover button to initiate the file recovery process. Please wait patiently for the operation to complete.
recover the whole disk data

III. What are the precautions when using the hard disk?

To safeguard hard disk data, cultivate the following good usage habits:
● Purchase hard disk equipment from formal channels, because low-quality hard disks will affect their service life.
● To ensure the longevity and stability of your hard disk, it’s critical to maintain a dust-free environment. Excess dust can lead to hardware malfunctions and data corruption. Additionally, operate your computer in a place with moderate temperature and humidity levels to prolong the hard disk’s lifespan. Extreme heat and humidity can significantly shorten the life of electronic components.
● Maintain a stable power supply to prevent hard disk bad sectors, which often occur due to power outages during read/write operations, leading to data loss.
● Regularly back up data on the hard disk to prevent unnecessary losses caused by various accidents.