Dropping an external hard drive can cause many issues, affecting how it works and putting your data at risk. When you drop an external hard drive, it can stop working properly and put your data at risk.
This article explains what usually goes wrong when a hard drive falls, such as strange noises or the computer not recognizing it anymore.
We’ll also cover how to check for damage and what you can do to try and fix it. This includes simple tools you can use at home and steps for more advanced solutions like changing parts of the hard drive. It’s all about helping you understand and deal with a dropped hard drive effectively.
What is Dropped Hard Drive Not Working?
A dropped hard drive not working refers to a hard drive that has stopped functioning correctly after being physically dropped. This issue often results from internal damage such as dislodged components, damaged read/write heads, or misaligned platters.
These damages can lead to symptoms like clicking, beeping, or the drive not being recognized by a computer. The damage to the hard drive depends on how high it fell and what it hit. In these situations, you might need a professional to help get back any lost data.
Causes of Dropped Hard Drive Not Working
A dropped hard drive may stop working due to several reasons:
Physical Damage to Components: The impact can cause internal components like read/write heads or platters to become misaligned or damaged.
Dislodged Read/Write Heads: The heads may touch or scratch the platters, causing data loss and preventing the drive from functioning.
Spindle Motor Damage: The motor that spins the platters can be harmed, affecting the drive’s ability to operate.
Circuit Board Damage: The drop can break or disconnect parts of the circuit board that control the drive’s operations.
Jolted Connections: Internal connections and components can become loose or detached due to the shock from the fall.
Effects of Dropping an External Hard Drive
When you drop an external hard drive, it can easily get damaged because it has many sensitive parts. The damage can vary depending on how far and onto what it falls. Here’s what might happen if your hard drive takes a tumble:
1. Humming Sounds
A humming sound might occur if there’s a problem with the spindle or the read/write heads. This could mean the head is scraping against the disk’s surface. It’s important to turn off your hard drive immediately if you hear this sound to avoid further damage.
2. Beeping Sounds
A beeping noise usually points to an issue with the spindle motor, which spins the disks. This could be due to the motor not getting enough power or failing. When you hear a beep, it’s safest to disconnect the drive.
3. Clicking Noises
If you hear a sharp, continuous clicking noise, it likely means there’s damage to the part of the hard drive that moves the magnetic heads. These heads read and write data, and if they can’t move to the right spot, you’ll hear clicking from the device.
4. Unrecognized Drive
If your computer isn’t recognizing your external hard drive after a drop, it might not be starting up at all. This lack of any noise or activity could indicate serious internal damage.
Ways to Repair a Dropped External Hard Drive
Rather, store the hard drive in a secure location and get in touch with a reputable data recovery company.
Another possibility is that your HDD is operating normally. Except for expert data recovery services, there isn’t much you can do to possibly fix an external hard disk that has been dropped. Among the things you can accomplish are:
Method 1: Check the Drive
The port and cord may be broken if your drive was connected to your computer when it fell. Examine the case of the external hard drive closely.
The inside components may be harmed even if there aren’t any obvious cracks or dents. Try using a different cable if the port appears crooked or deformed. After attaching the drive, immediately stop using it if you hear any clicking or buzzing sounds.
Method 2: Use the CHKDSK Command
The CHKDSK tool can help find and fix bad sectors on your external hard drive. However, using it might erase your data, so it’s best to recover your data first before running this tool. Here’s how to use CHKDSK in steps:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt: Press the Windows Key + S to open the Windows Search, type “cmd”, then right-click on Command Prompt and select ‘Run as administrator’.
Step 2: Enter CHKDSK Command: In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk X: /f /r /x and press Enter. Replace ‘X’ with the letter assigned to your external hard drive.
Step 3: Run the Command: Follow the prompts to start the disk check. Remember, this process can affect the data on your drive, so ensure you have backed up or recovered your data first.
Method 3: Replace the Controller Board
The majority of external hard drives include a standard HDD attached to a controller board (PCB) that connects to the SATA connector on the drive.
Here’s what to do if you’re game and believe that the controller is the only thing that’s broken:
- Remove the Casing: Open up the external hard drive’s casing to access the inside.
- Disconnect the Controller Board: Carefully disconnect the PCB controller from the drive.
- Reconnect the Drive: You can then either install the drive directly inside your computer by connecting it to the motherboard or use a SATA to USB cable to continue using it as an external drive.
Method 4: Check the S.M.A.R.T. Status
The S.M.A.R.T. status helps you find out if there are bad sectors or other issues with your external hard drive. Use a free program like CrystalDiskInfo to look at the S.M.A.R.T. data of your drive. Pay attention to the ‘Raw Values’ in rows 05 and C5.
If there are values with three digits, stop using the drive and seek help from a data recovery expert. If the values have two digits, you can try to make a disk image and recover data from that image.
Conclusion
Dropping an external hard drive can lead to serious damage, affecting its functionality and risking data loss. It is essential to detect warning indications such as strange noises or the drive not being recognized, as these indicate internal problems.
For severe damage, replacing the controller board might be necessary. Ultimately, careful handling and immediate attention are crucial to mitigate further damage and maximize the chance of recovering your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Possible to Fix a Failed Hard Drive?
Yes, you can sometimes repair a hard disk drive (HDD), but it is dependent on the exact problem.
What Should I Do Immediately After Dropping my Hard Drive?
Turn off the power to the hard drive immediately to prevent further damage. Do not attempt to reboot or continue using the hard drive as this can lead to more severe data loss.
What are Common Signs of Damage in a Dropped Hard Drive?
Common signs include unusual noises like clicking, grinding, or beeping sounds; the drive not being recognized by your computer; or the drive appearing to power up but not functioning.
How Do you Fix a Hard Drive that Fell?
Turn Off the Power: Make sure the computer is shut down and disconnected from power.
Verify Connections: Make sure the hard drive is correctly attached to the data and power cords by opening the computer casing.
Switch Ports: If possible, attach the hard drive to another SATA port on the motherboard or try a different power cable.
