My Computer's Hard Drive is Noisey.
by Wolfdave
My Computer’s Hard Drive is Failing. Back-Up Now!
If you suspect that your hard drive is failing, you need to back up your data immediately. A hard drive is most likely to fail as your computer is starting up. So if you have reason to believe your hard drive is about to fail, back up now before you turn your computer off. The next time you turn it on might be too late.
Your hard drive contains several spinning disks, which means mechanical elements. It is just as likely these mechanical elements could cause your hard drive to fail, as can malicious Software, viruses and poor maintenance.
It is rare, though not unknown, for a hard drive to suddenly fail. Usually there are signs, in the way of more frequent error messages, sluggish response and mechanical noise. All hard drives make some noise, usually a soft whirring background noise. If you have noticed your hard drive becoming louder with a grinding sound, then this is a sure sign of trouble.
If you start to hear ‘clicking’ noises from your hard drive, most noticeable as it loads your Operating System or other Programs, then mechanical failure is imminent. You need to back up and save your important files now. Don’t wait until tomorrow and do not turn your PC off.
If it’s impossible for you to back up the entire hard drive, then at least save all your personnel files and those precious Photographs. You can easily copy or ‘burn’ then to CD’s, make two or more copies for safety. No CD-R’s to hand? Then copy them onto a Flash Memory Stick. However, if you do use a Flash Drive, I would still recommend you get them onto CD’s, or DVD’s as soon as you are able. Flash Drives have a limited life.
Once you have your most important files and photographs safe, you can then think about a full back up. The quickest and easiest method to back up everything is to an External hard drive. These have come down a lot in price recently so it’s worth considering, even if your hard drive is as quiet as a mouse, it’s reassuring to have one with all your files backed up on it, just in case.
Again, it is extremely rare for a hard drive to suddenly fail. I have been working with Computers since 1978 and I have known only one. So become familiar with the sound of your hard drive, then if that familiar humm’ becomes louder, you will know you need to save your files. And really, you should have a back up anyway.
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