The heads on your hard drive are arguably the most important components that allow the data to be read while hard drive recovery, transferred, and stored on your computer. If you imagine the hard drive is like a record player with moving components, thatโs the best way to understand how the heads operate. This is how a reputable data recovery company views the hard drive and it will help you better understand how the heads operate within that system.
Inside the hard drive are discs or platters that contain the data. The files that are stored on the hard drive are much like a record and the heads both read and record that information as the disc spins inside. In fact, the heads are located on the end of the actuator arm, again, much like a record player and they are the devices that read and record the information on the discs.
Youโll find more than on platter or disc that are stacked with the data being written on both sides. So, if a hard drive has three discs, there will be six heads inside the hard drive that read and write the information.
What Happens When the Heads Go Bad
While some heads will fall apart without any warning needing hard drive recovery, in many cases there are signs that the heads are starting to fall apart or have been affected.
–Clicks when Drive is Spinning
-Unusual Beeping, Chirping, or Scraping
-Clicks, then the Drive Stops Spinning
When you hear any of these warning signs, you should shut off your computer quickly to prevent further damage. There are several ways that the heads can go bad on your computer. The most common types of damage or deterioration include, but are not limited to the following;
–Normal Wear & Tear
-Debris Inside the Drive
-Inadvertent Contact with the Discs or Platters
-Misalignment, usually caused by Impact
-Scratched Platters
-Bad Manufacturing or Cheap Parts that Fall Apart
The heads are quite sensitive, so anything that comes into contact with them stands the chance of causing damage. Keep in mind that it could be one head that might be failing, but because of their proximity, it is common that when one head is damaged, the rest will follow.
When the heads are damaged, start to deteriorate, or become misaligned, it is like when the needle of the record player is affected which in turn prevents you from hearing the audio. You will need to change out the affected heads so that you can read the information off the discs. The heads themselves float above the discs and travel up to 12,000RPMs depending on the speed of the hard drive itself.
Swapping Out the Heads
This is a simple procedure that can be performed by a professional data recovery company. When you hear the first signs of the heads starting to deteriorate and need hard drive recovery, take your computer to their facilities or having them come by your office or home. They will be able to swap out the bad heads for the good ones and hopefully do so before any damage is done to the discs or platters inside.
