Hard Drives and Desktop Repair
Hard drive issues are the most common type of desktop repair in computer repair shops. In many cases, the hard drives stop functioning due to the age of the hard drive. However, sometimes hard drives stop functioning due to heat overload, power overload or the computer being dropped.
Diagnosing a hard Drive Issue for Desktop Repair
Diagnosing a hard drive for desktop repair is fairly simple. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that you can do on your own. In most cases, the hard drive needs to be tested by a computer repair shop. Simply tell them about any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as slowness and freezing. Additionally, most hard drive tests are easy to read and understand. This is due largely to the fact that most tests are color-coded. This means that the test tells you the health of your hard drive with colors, such as red sectors meaning bad sectors. Depending on the health of your hard drive, it could take up to an hour test it. However, most hard drives will complete testing within a 30-minute window.
Mechanical Drives vs Solid State Drives
When replacing your hard drive, it is important to understand the difference between mechanical hard drive and solid state drives. In fact, knowing the difference could save you a lot of money in the long run. First, it is important to know that mechanical hard drives are extremely sensitive to movement. Every time that your computer gets “bumped” or dropped, it can affect the hard drive. Second, this simple fact makes them terrible for laptop computers but ideal for desktop computers. Third, many solid state drives are built “cheaply” and can only last a couple of months. In other words, if you are going to buy a cheap solid state drive then just buy a mechanical drive instead. Finally, there are many schools of thought about SSDs and HDD, follow your instincts when purchasing one.
3200 vs 5400 RPM Mechanical Drives for Desktop Repair
If you are going to use a mechanic drive, then you should understand a few basics about them. First, there are different speeds for mechanical hard drives; I tend to favor the 5400 RPM speeds drives. These drives are faster than their 3200 RPM counterparts and work wonderfully with newer versions of Windows. It is worth noting that if you have Windows 11, it is recommended to have a solid state drive. Otherwise, the 5400 RPM speeds hard drives are perfectly adequate. It’s also important to note that some mechanical hard drives are hybrids, using SSD technology with moving parts. In this case, you get the best of both worlds.
Should I Reinstall Windows for a New Hard Drive?
When getting a new hard drive, you will have several options, as far as your data. One of these options is to install a new copy of Windows and simply transfer your data. In most cases, this is the ideal option. It is best to start with a new copy of Windows 10 or 11. In this case, any operating system corruption will be eliminated during a new installation of Windows. Although operating system corruptions are less common with Apple computers, the same theory applies. In other words, you should get a new copy of Windows installation if it’s an option for you.
I Need a Data Transfer for my Desktop Repair
Sometimes when installing a new hard drive, you will need a data transfer from a data recovery company. In most cases, this means that the company installing your hard drive is not the same company saving your data. I would highly recommend choosing a computer repair shop that also does data recovery. In fact, things can get very complicated if you choose 2 different companies for this.
Should I Perform a Clone of my System?
In most cases, clients want a perfect copy of their system or a “clone”. I discourage this as much as possible because a clone can copy over operating system corruption issues to the new hard drive. In other words, you may continue to have issues with your operating system even after the new hard drive is installed. Additionally, your computer repair shop for desktop repair will need to do the work all over again to fix it, if there is an issue. It really is best to simply get it right the first time and install a new copy of your operating system. Just be sure to ask that your data is transferred to the new copy of your operating system. This way, you can avoid any misunderstandings about your data.
Get Malware and Virus Scans Before Cloning a Hard Drive During Desktop Repair
When replacing a hard drive and cloning your hard drive, you want to take some precautions. For example, make sure that you scan your old hard drive for malware and viruses before transferring data to a new hard drive. In fact, transferring malware and viruses is the most common issue with new hard drives. I recommend that you perform a scan, if possible, of all your hard drives before a hard drive replacement. Sometimes secondary or “slave” drives can have malware and viruses that affect the primary hard drive. I like to use Malwarebytes for malware scans and Windows Security for virus scans.
Benefits of Replacing Your Hard Drive Yearly for Desktop Repair
Most people wait to replace their hard drive when it breaks down. However, that’s not always a practical solution. Sometimes, data loss can occur if you wait too long to replace your hard drive. Some people replace their hard drive every 12 months to prevent data loss. Although this is a practical solution, it can also be quite costly. If you own a business or have important documents that must remain on your hard drive, then I recommend this solution for you. However, if you save to a cloud, like one drive or google drive, then you can wait until your hard drive goes out.
Gamers and Small Businesses Replace Hard Drives More Frequently
Gamers and small business owners are especially vulnerable to data loss from a bad hard drive. Gamers tend to save game progress on their computers, along with tons of games and mods. Business owners generally have their entire business on their computers and can’t do without it. In both cases, a large amount of data is stored and the hard drive usage increases. If you are a gamer or business owner, then I would recommend some options for you. First, try and save the bulk of your data on the cloud. Second, get a hard drive replacement every 12-18 months. Finally, make frequent backups of your hard drive.
Who Can Replace Hard Drives During Desktop Repair
The only people who should be replacing your hard drive are computer technicians, especially if you value your data and computer. In some cases, Uncle Joe might be able to install a new hard drive and reinstall Windows. However, for the most part, you shouldn’t allow people who aren’t a professional computer technician to touch your computer. As a computer technician, I’ve seen some pretty awful things happen to computers that were worked on by a “friend”. In most cases, I am able to salvage the computer but in some cases, there is a complete data loss.
Desktop Repair
Who has the best desktop repair near me? DML Computer Repair offers desktop repair near me. They also offer computer repair Colorado Springs CO, the best computer repair services, awesome computer technicians and rush services. Do you need desktop repair near me? No problem! Call or visit today for your free computer diagnosis.
Author Information for Computer Repair Colorado Springs CO
De Landres
DML Computer Repair Technician | Data Recovery Expert | Software Expert | PC Articles Author
Author Quote: “Google is your friend, not food”. ~De
