HOw To Repair a hard drive that has been overheated

[EEKMD]

I have Toshiba satellite c675 and the hard drive doesn't want to work because ti was overheated. How can i fix it. When i try to go in safe mode, it only shows a blank black screen with safe mode on every corner. HOw can i fix it. I need Help Fast!

 

[whs]

I would put it into the fridge overnight - seriously. That has helped with many HDD and USB stick problems.

 

[Sir George]

I would put it into the fridge overnight - seriously. That has helped with many HDD and USB stick problems.

Just for clarity; I believe you mean to put the hard drive in the refrigerator, not the laptop, correct?

 

[whs]

I would put it into the fridge overnight - seriously. That has helped with many HDD and USB stick problems.

Just for clarity; I believe you mean to put the hard drive in the refrigerator, not the laptop, correct?

Yes, that would be the best.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Just to add to what whs suggested, you should put it in a closable bag (e.g. ziplock) and include a packet (or two) of those moisture absorbing crystals.

 

[King Arthur]

When i try to go in safe mode, it only shows a blank black screen with safe mode on every corner.

Pardon me for saying this, but isn't this how Safe Mode is supposed to work? The fact the OP can even access Safe Mode at all suggests his HDD is running adequately to the point it can be accessed, which means tossing it in the fridge might cause problems with no benefits to gain.

 

[whs]

Just to add to what whs suggested, you should put it in a closable bag (e.g. ziplock) and include a packet (or two) of those moisture absorbing crystals.

Good idea. And if you have no crystals, a bag of salt or a couple of paper towels are also good.

Just to remind you - this is no guarantee that it will work. But it is worth a try and does not cost any.

Should the disk revive, have an external backup disk ready to save your stuff. The revival may not last forever (as people have reported that used this trick).

 

[AddRAM]

If it works Wolfgang, I`ll bring you down a case of beer.......and drink it (d)

 

[lehnerus2000]

Rice

Just to add to what whs suggested, you should put it in a closable bag (e.g. ziplock) and include a packet (or two) of those moisture absorbing crystals.

Good idea. And if you have no crystals, a bag of salt or a couple of paper towels are also good.

I've also read that rice is good at absorbing moisture.
It's less likely to stick to your circuitry, than salt is too.

I save all those bags of Silica Gel crystals and keep them in an air tight container.

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm thinking (grab the aspirin). If the hard drive got so hot it stopped working how good of shape is the rest of the laptop?

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Don't forget also AFTER taking the drive out of the fridge to leave it at Room temperature for several hours to warm up and acclimatise again -- the bearings will be cold and have shrunk a bit (we are only talking microns here but in fragile equipment this stuff matters), and the oil will be thicker as well.

Also it will allow any moisture in the device to thaw and dry out too -- remember even if you sealed the disk into a bag you can't expel ALL the air from the bag so even with water absorbing chemicals in the bag unless you live in somewhere like Death Valley California there will still be SOME water vapour around as air always contains some - although in those exceptionally dry places like Death Valley you could probably ignore it.

Cheers
jimbo