The three core components of a computer: are the CPU, memory, and hard drive. Among them, the CPU is rarely damaged, and most memory modules come with a lifetime warranty. However, the hard drive is the one that keeps us on edge—after all, the hard drive itself has value, but the data it holds is priceless. Therefore, it’s extremely important to receive early warnings of hard drive failure. Once detected, make sure to promptly back up all essential data. Today, let’s discuss that when these issues arise, it may be time to consider replacing your hard drive!
▶ The file cannot be read #
When you discover that files cannot be read, it likely indicates that the data is within bad sectors, making it impossible to both write and read. In general, the inability to write won’t impact the data significantly; you can copy the files to another storage location. However, when encountering unreadable files, seeking assistance from professionals becomes necessary. If the data isn’t crucial, it’s best to replace the hard drive directly.
▶ Unable to access, slow performance #
When encountering frequent error prompts while reading from or writing to the hard drive, it indicates the presence of bad sectors. This issue can lead to software and game performance slowdowns. If the hard drive is used as the system drive, system crashes are likely to occur frequently. If you notice that your hard drive’s read and write speeds are abnormally slow, consider using diagnostic tools to check if the disk is damaged. Be prepared to replace it promptly to prevent potential loss of important data.
▶ Multiple blue screen crashes #
There are many reasons for experiencing blue screen errors, and hard drive damage is one of them. If you encounter blue screen issues during the computer’s startup process, it can be attributed to both system and disk problems. Generally, when facing a blue screen that prevents entry into the system, reinstalling the operating system is a common solution. However, if the blue screen problem persists even after reinstalling the system and occurs during startup, it indicates hard drive damage.
▶ File system needs repair #
If the system frequently prompts errors indicating the need to repair the file system, it’s a problem with the hard drive. You can use Windows’ file system repair tool to address this issue. For mechanical hard drives, disk defragmentation can also be employed, but it’s important to note that the disk defragmentation function should never be used with solid-state drives (SSDs).
▶ Unable to write #
If you encounter messages like ‘Unable to write,’ ‘Write protection,’ or ‘Write access denied’ when trying to add files to a solid-state drive, it’s undoubtedly a sign of drive failure. Write protection can usually be disabled, but seeking assistance from professionals is recommended. Attempting to resolve the issue on your own could potentially lead to data loss. If the data isn’t highly important, the typical course of action is to directly replace the hard drive.
Based on the aforementioned points, one can roughly determine whether a solid-state drive (SSD) needs replacement. Of course, if individuals have attempted to repair the SSD using certain methods, they should still prioritize data backup. After all, even a repaired hard drive can easily encounter issues.
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