How to Backup Failing Hard Drive: 3 Methods to Backup Data

What is a Failing Hard Drive

A failing hard drive is a storage device that is having problems, which can lead to losing data or making your system unstable. This can happen for several reasons, such as physical damage, wear and tear over time, software issues, or just aging parts. Signs that your hard drive might be failing include regular crashes, strange sounds, slow performance, and trouble opening files. It's important to identify and fix these problems quickly to avoid losing data and to keep your device working properly.

Some Common Symptoms

To determine if your hard drive is failing, look out for these common symptoms:

• Frequent system crashes or freezes
• Unusual noises coming from the hard drive
• Slow performance and frequent error messages
• Inability to access files or folders
• Disk errors or bad sectors detected during system scans

Diagnose if Your Hard Drive Is Failing

A failing hard drive is a storage device that is having problems, which can lead to losing data or making your system unstable. This can happen for several reasons, such as physical damage, wear and tear over time, software issues, or just aging parts. Signs that your hard drive might be failing include regular crashes, strange sounds, slow performance, and trouble opening files. It's important to identify and fix these problems quickly to avoid losing data and to keep your device working properly.

1: Go to the search bar and insert cmd.

2: Enter wmic diskdrive get status. Wait for it to process and show status:

Status OK: It means that there is nothing wrong with the hard drive.

Status Bad, Cautionor Unknown: It means your hard drive may have potential errors.

Once you've examined the status of your hard drive, ideally, you'll find that it's functioning smoothly without any issues. However, if your hard drive's status indicates otherwise, don't worry, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn the next steps and discover how to backup a corrupted hard drive and repair it effectively.

Backup Hard Drive Before Its Failing

If you suspect that your hard drive might be failing, the first thing you should do is back up your important files. This step is crucial to prevent losing any essential documents if the hard drive fails completely. Regular backups are key to protecting your data from unexpected loss.

We suggest using AOMEI Backupper Standard, a dependable tool for making complete backups of your hard drive. This software lets you choose specific disks or folders to back up, so you can focus on saving the files that are most important to you.

AOMEI Backupper

Easy-to-Use Hard Drive Backup Software

• Various Backup Options: It offers a wide array of backup solutions to suit your needs. You can perform system backups, disk backups, partition backups, file backups, and even backups to the cloud.

• Flexible Backup Locations: It allows you to choose where to store your backups. You can easily set it up for automatic backup to USB drives, internal or external hard drives, NAS devices, or other network locations.

• Versatile Backup Methods: Three different backup methods to choose from: Full Backup, Incremental, and Differential Backup. If you want to use the differential backup option, you can upgrade to a higher edition.

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1: Install and Open this tool. Follow Backup >> Disk Backup.

2: Select the failing hard drive and another healthy hard drive to save the backup image.

3: In the last step, Click Start Backup to process this backup task.

Note:
If you want to schedule backup, it is like a breeze using AOMEI Backupper. You can customize the frequency, choosing between daily, weekly, or monthly backups, or triggering backups based on specific events or USB drive connections. Utilizing the backup scheme feature is advisable, as it automatically manages outdated backup files, freeing up valuable storage space. Unlock more features instantly by upgrading to the professional version.

How to Repair a Corrupted Hard Drive: Possible Methods

Now that you've identified whether your hard drive is failing or encountering other system issues, it's time to address the situation. If your hard drive has indeed failed or you're experiencing related issues, consider using the following methods to resolve the situation effectively.

Solution 1: Update the Hard Drive

Updating the hard drive is a crucial step in fixing a failing hard drive. By ensuring that the drivers are up-to-date, you can potentially resolve compatibility issues and improve the performance of the hard drive. Below are the steps to efficiently update the hard drive on your device:

1: Choose Device Manager from the Start menu.

2: Select the target drive from the Disk Drives option.

3: Lastly, tap Update Driver >> Search automatically for updated driver software.

Solution 2: Scan for Viruses and Threats

As previously discussed, viruses can contribute to the damage experienced by your drive. Scanning your drive for viruses might be the key to restoring its functionality. If you lack an antivirus program, you can use Windows Security for this purpose. Follow these steps to scan your drive for viruses using Windows Security:

1. Input Windows Security in the search bar and open it.

2. Follow the instruction: Virus & threat protection >> Scan options.

3. Select a scan type from this list. Choose Full Scan is the best choice for that matter. If you are ready, Click Scan Now.

Solution 3: Scan and Repair Using Disk Check

If you're still facing the issue, it could indicate unveiled issues on your hard drive device. Performing a scan and repair using Disk Check may be the solution to repair a hard drive. Follow the steps below to try this method effectively:

1: Right-click on the target drive and select Properties.

2: Go to the Tools tab and click on Check under the Error checking section.

3: In the Check Disk window, ensure both options—Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors—are checked.

4: Click Start and process the scan and repair.

Reasons for Failing Hard Drives

Understanding the reasons behind failing hard drives is key to protecting your data and avoiding system problems. Several factors can lead to a hard drive’s reduced performance and ultimate failure. Being aware of these issues highlights the importance of regular maintenance and backup practices to keep your storage devices secure. Let’s take a look at the common causes of hard drive failures and explore effective ways to reduce these risks.

• Physical Damage: Dropping or mishandling your device can cause physical damage to the hard drive components, leading to failure.
• Software Issues: Corrupted system files, malware infections, or software conflicts can result in hard drive failure.
• Mechanical Wear and Tear: Over time, the mechanical components of a hard drive can degrade, affecting its performance and reliability.
• Power Surges: Sudden power surges or electrical failures can damage the hard drive's circuitry, rendering it unusable.
• Manufacturing Defects: In some cases, hard drives may fail due to inherent manufacturing defects or quality issues.

FAQs about How to Repair a Failing Hard Drive

If you still have questions about fixing a failing hard drive, here are some common inquiries along with helpful answers.

Q 1: Can I retrieve data from a failing hard drive?

A 1: Yes, if you have backed up your data beforehand, you can easily use AOMEI Backupper Standard to restore your files from those backup images.

Q 2: How can I tell if my hard drive is failing?

A 2: Watch for signs like frequent crashes, strange noises, slow performance, and disk error messages. These can indicate that your hard drive is in trouble.

Q 3: How often should I back up my failing hard drive?

A 3: It’s best to back up your failing hard drive regularly, ideally every day or at least once a week, to keep your data safe.

Tips for Successfully Backing Up Data

1. Act Quickly: The sooner you start the backup process, the higher your chances of recovering all your data.
2. Use Multiple Backup Methods: Combine software, manual transfer, and cloning to maximize data security.
3. Regularly Test Backups: Periodically check your backups to ensure that the data is intact and accessible.

Bottom Line

In summary, backing up a failing hard drive is crucial to protect your important data from being lost. By using the methods mentioned in this guide, you can successfully back up your hard drive and keep your information safe and easy to access. Don’t wait until it’s too late—act now to secure your data with AOMEI Backupper. Plus, AOMEI Backupper Standard can help you create a Windows 8.1 image backup, so why not give it a try today?