What Happens When a Hard Drive is Dropped?
When an external hard drive is dropped, the physical impact can cause damage to internal components, resulting in potential data loss or device failure. According to research by Blocks and Files, damaged recording surfaces are responsible for 70% of hard disk drive failures (Source). The platters inside the hard drive, which contain the data, can become scratched or warped when dropped. This destroys data and requires the platters to be replaced.
Dropping a hard drive can also damage the read/write heads that move across the platters to access data. The heads float just above the surface of the platters on a cushion of air. A drop can cause the heads to hit the platters, destroying data and rendering the drive unusable until the heads are replaced. The impact can also knock the heads out of alignment, preventing them from accurately reading data on the platters.
Other components like the motor, controller board, or connectors can be knocked loose or damaged as well. Connections between internal components can become disconnected. Any physical damage to these critical parts will require repair or replacement before the drive can operate properly again.
Signs Your External Hard Drive was Damaged
There are several common signs that indicate physical damage to an external hard drive from being dropped:
Not recognized by computer – If the external drive is not showing up or being detected by the computer, this often means the controller board or connection is damaged. The drive may power on but the computer can’t communicate with it (see source).
Strange noises – Clicking, beeping, grinding or other unusual sounds coming from the drive likely indicate physical damage. The noises signal the read/write heads or motors are no longer functioning properly (see source).
Slow performance – External drives that are extremely slow to open files or transfer data may have damaged components. Latency and lag indicate the mechanical parts can no longer read data efficiently.
Corrupted data – You may encounter corrupted files, missing data, or errors opening files. This is a sign of damaged platters/heads that can no longer accurately read the data.
First Steps After a Drop
If an external hard drive is dropped, the first step is to carefully examine the device for any visible damage. Look for cracks, dents, or broken pieces. Also check that cables and ports are still intact. Safely remove the hard drive and reconnect it, listening for any unusual sounds like grinding or clicking. Try connecting the drive to different computers to see if the issue persists across machines.
An important diagnostic to run is Disk Utility or another disk health check program. This will scan the drive and flag errors like bad sectors or file system corruption. Be prepared to reformat the drive if the file system is damaged. Tools like CrystalDiskInfo provide drive health information and SMART status.
If the drive is not detected, has mechanical sounds, or fails disk checks, then physical damage is likely. Software repairs may help in some cases, but a severely damaged drive will require professional data recovery or component replacement to regain functionality.
Software Tools to Diagnose and Repair
There are several software tools that can help diagnose issues and attempt repairs after a hard drive drop. Here are some of the top options:
Disk utility software that comes built-in to operating systems like Windows and MacOS can be used to diagnose basic disk errors and attempt basic repairs. Running the Check Disk tool in Windows or First Aid in Mac can detect bad sectors and try to repair them.
Specialized data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery or Disk Drill can also diagnose issues and recover lost data. They provide more advanced diagnostics and data recovery capabilities than built-in OS tools.
Tools like CHKDSK in Windows and SpinRite can detect disk errors at a lower level and repair bad sectors. They work at the file system and disk level rather than just looking at the logical files.
Using software tools for diagnosis and repair is less invasive and risky than physical repairs. They should be tried first before attempting any hardware replacements or specialist services which could be more expensive or result in permanent data loss.
Fixing a Damaged Controller Board
The controller board is a small circuit board attached to the hard drive that controls the movement of the drive’s components. If an external hard drive is dropped, the sudden impact can loosen soldered connections or damage electronic components on the controller board.
To fix a damaged controller board, first inspect it closely to identify any loose connections or damaged parts. Look for cracked solder joints, burnt spots on the board, or disconnected wires. Use a magnifying glass if needed to see small components. Test continuity of connections with a multimeter.
If you find loose connections, resolder them carefully using soldering equipment. Ensure wires are properly reattached. Replace any burnt out or damaged capacitors, resistors, etc. If the controller chip itself is cracked or non-functional, the entire board likely needs replacement.
To replace the controller board, source a compatible replacement from the hardware maker, or find a used matching donor board (ensure the PCB revision matches). Carefully detach the old board and swap in the replacement using a small Philips screwdriver. Consult manufacturer guides for your hard drive model, as the process varies. See Hard Drive PCB Replacement Guide for more details.
With the board repaired or replaced, reconnect the hard drive to power on and test. If it powers up and connects to your computer, the controller board fix was successful.
Fixing Damaged Platters or Heads
If the platters or read/write heads inside the external hard drive are damaged from the impact of the drop, fixing them is extremely difficult and usually requires a specialized clean room environment. As explained on the Gillware data recovery service website, “Some forms of platter damage are still severe enough to make scratched platter data recovery impossible. Sometimes, the read/write heads gouge out massive rings in the platters that are impossible to work around” (https://www.gillware.com/hard-drive-data-recovery/scratched-platter-data-recovery/).
Attempting platter or head repairs is very expensive, time-consuming, and has a low success rate. A more practical solution is to carefully remove the platters from the damaged external hard drive and install them in a new, undamaged enclosure. This allows accessing the data without fixing the physical damage. According to the Data Recovery service, “The most common cause of platter damage is a failure of the heads. The heads read and write data, operating close to the platters, but not on them.” (https://datarecovery.com/2015/07/hard-drive-platter-damage/).
Replacing Damaged Components
If the internal components of the external hard drive like the read/write heads, platters or motors are damaged, they may need to be replaced. This involves carefully opening up the external hard drive enclosure to access the internal hard disk drive.
The process of replacing internal components requires specialized skills, proper tools and a clean room environment. Read/write heads hover just above the platter surface, so even microscopic dust particles can cause further damage if proper precautions are not taken.
Replacing read/write heads or platters often costs $800-$1600 (Source). The donor parts also need to be carefully matched for compatibility. Motors can be simpler to replace but still require expertise.
Overall, replacing internal hard disk components is complex and best left to specialized data recovery pros with the right skills and tools. The costs quickly add up too. In many cases, a full data recovery service without any repairs may be a more cost-effective option if the main goal is recovering the data.
Using a Specialized Data Recovery Service
If the external hard drive contains extremely valuable or irreplaceable data, utilizing a professional data recovery service may be worth the often high cost. Reputable data recovery companies such as DriveSavers and Kroll Ontrack operate specialized clean room facilities with advanced techniques and proprietary tools that offer the highest chance of recovering data from severely damaged drives.
While prices vary, these professional services typically charge $300 to $3000 or more depending on the extent of drive damage and amount of data recovery required. For example, Geek Squad charges a $49.99 diagnostics fee, then quotes a price for data recovery service starting at $99 for minor recoveries up to over $2000 for significant platter damage according to Best Buy. Reddit users also report quotes of $300 to $900 from professional recovery services for external hard drives depending on the complexity of recovery according to this thread. While expensive, for highly critical data, specialized clean room recovery services may justify the cost.
Data Recovery Without Repair
If the external hard drive damage is severe, you may want to recover the data before attempting any repairs. This avoids further data loss from failed repair attempts. There are two main options for recovering data from a damaged drive:
Use data recovery software: Software like Geek Squad Data Recovery can read drives with logical errors and recover files. However, this may not work if there is physical damage. The software scans the drive and extracts recoverable files to another external drive or storage location. The success rate depends on the extent of damage.
Professional data recovery service: For drives with physical damage or that software can’t read, a professional service may be required. They use specialized tools and clean room facilities to repair drives and extract data. However, this can be expensive with costs from $300 to over $1000. They may also charge to diagnose the drive first.
Recovering the data first avoids losing files from a failed DIY repair. Then if needed, attempt to fix the hardware issues knowing the critical data is already secured.
Preventing Damage from Drops
Taking steps to prevent your external hard drive from being damaged due to drops can significantly extend its lifespan. Here are some tips:
Use a high-quality protective case – Invest in a sturdy case designed specifically for external hard drives. Look for padded cases made of materials like rubber or silicone that can absorb shock if dropped. Some cases are water resistant as well.
Handle with care – Be very careful when plugging in, transporting, or storing your drive. Avoid moving it around when it’s powered on. Don’t drop it or knock it off surfaces.
Use proper surfaces – Place your drive on flat, stable surfaces like desks or shelves rather than on chairs or beds where it can easily slide off. Never leave it precariously placed.
Reduce impact if dropped – Try to avoid dropping your drive, but if it does fall, make sure it lands on carpet rather than a hard floor. Dropping from lower heights also reduces damage.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions – Carefully follow any guidance from the maker on proper handling, transportation, storage, and care.
With some simple preventative measures, you can keep your external hard drive safe and ensure it enjoys a long and healthy life. Protecting it from drops and shocks is critical.