What to do if the computer's hard drive fails

What are the computer hardware maintenance skills? In short, the function of computer hardware is to input and store programs and data, and to process data into available forms. From the outward appearance, the microcomputer is composed of the host box and the external equipment. The devices in the host enclosure are connected to the host through an interface and a connecting line. Then, the computer hard drive out of trouble how to do?

Step one: Come soft.

When your computer's hard drive fails, the first thing you should do is check your computer's BIOS (basic input/output system) settings. If your hard drive capacity is incorrect, the entire system may be disconnected. You may need to change some settings to solve the problem.

Check the BIOS settings press the button that can be used to exhale the BIOS setting option for the computer-usually F2 or Del. Depending on the BIOS manufacturer, you may see a list of further options, or go directly to the place you want it to be: the standard BIOS Options screen.

In the standard BIOS Options screen, look for the hard drive or IDE device options. Take a look at your hard disk spec sheet, check the BIOS for items like size or MB, and then look at the numbers--the two should be very close, and if the BIOS settings are not the same size as the actual hard drive installed on your computer, add or subtract some MB. These settings must correctly correspond to the actual specifications of the hard drives installed in the computer. Otherwise the BIOS will think the hard drive is broken.

If the numbers are not correct. or where the number appears, but the word "not installed" is displayed, you must make some changes. Fortunately, most new BIOS settings have the option of automatically identifying the installed hard drive (auto). Select this item, and the BIOS will then check the hard drive, read the set data on the hard drive, and automatically fill in the blanks with the data. If this doesn't work, if you try to identify it automatically (or if your BIOS tries it automatically), but the BIOS doesn't know the hard drive, the problem is more serious. This is the time to turn off the computer, dial the plug, and open the computer shell, to make a few basic hardware checks.

Step two: Come on hard.

Before you open your system, you should let yourself touch the metal frame in your computer to release static electricity and prevent parts of the system from hurting. Then dial to the computer's power plug. (Note: If you stand up and walk around after you turn on your computer, you'll have to plug it back in, ground it again, and then unplug it to make sure you don't have static.) Check the hard drive connector to disconnect the computer's shell and then take a flashlight to check the connectors attached to the hard drive.

The hard disk itself has two connectors: a four-wire cable power connector between the hard drive and the power supply, and a data cable connector that connects the hard drive to the motherboard. If the joint is loose, connect it again-be careful not to bend your feet. The connectors on both cables are usually designed to be inserted only in a single direction, so it should not be possible to plug the error. Also check the end of a slender cable that has not been connected to the hard drive to make sure it is connected to the motherboard. If you find the connector loose, plug it back in. If its interface is not loose for the connector, plug it back in. If the interface is not specially designed for the connector, you should carefully inspect the board to see if there is a small "I". That's where the foot 1 should be right.

Long-term electrical expansion and contraction, will cause the joints within the contact with each other bad, light can not be detected. So when you open the shell, you can gently shake each connector on the hard drive and the motherboard--better yet, by tapping each connector and then reconnecting it back to restore its contact status. Also, touch your cable data cable for a test. If it gets tough, try changing a new one--it could be a cable that's attached to the insulating layer that's broken off. But make sure you switch to the same type of cable. Once you've done all these things, plug the power back in, start the computer, and see what happens.

Step three: the ultimate strategy.

You use a flashlight to look up and down everything inside the computer. You fumble through all the cables, reseat the connectors, and even change the wires. The hard drive still doesn't move. Call customer support, it's time to announce surrender and call the Customer Support department. First try asking your computer vendor, or the hard drive manufacturer's technician. Maybe they've had the same problem before and even had a simple solution outside of the method we talked about.

But if the sad truth is that your hard drive has gone to hell, check down carefully--even if your computer has expired, the hard drive may still be in shelf life. While most computer sellers provide a 1-3-year shelf life for sale, hard disk manufacturers typically provide 2-5 years of warranty. And their durability is usually not only the original purchase of the hard drive mailing costs, should be able to switch to a new hard disk. The last is to keep a healthy hard drive. Often use HDD scanning tools like ScanDisk and so on to check for bad blocks, which are available in windows95/98 accessories. It can help you avoid problems that may occur, or get rid of them before they become serious.