There are a number of ways to check if your hard drive has failed. The first thing to do is to look for any signs of physical damage or wear and tear. If the hard drive has been dropped or improperly handled, you may see physical indicators such as dents, scratches, or even cracks. If you can open up the hard drive’s case, visually inspect the internal components to make sure none appear broken or damaged.
The next step is to listen closely for any odd noises coming from the hard drive. A healthy hard drive will make only quiet background hums and whirring noises when it is running. If you hear any clicking, grinding, or rattling noises, these could be a sign of a failing hard drive.
You should also check the performance of your computer system. If the hard drive contains errors, then your computer may start to show symptoms of slowed performance, frequent crashes, or data corruption.
Another way to determine if your hard drive is failing is to run a diagnostic test. There are a number of free and commercial programs that can check the health of your hard drive and report any errors found. For example, the popular tool CrystalDiskInfo can provide detailed information about your hard drive’s SMART status, as well as identify any potential issues.
Finally, there are a number of online tools that can remotely scan your hard drive and detect potential problems. These tools use a remote connection to check the sector-by-sector health of the drive and provide a report on any errors that may be present.
If you suspect your hard drive has failed, it’s important to take immediate steps to prevent further damage. Start by backing up any important data from the drive and then shut down your computer immediately. Once the computer has been powered off, do not attempt to power it back on until you have taken the hard drive to a professional for diagnosis and repairs.