My HD is failing, anything I can do to save it?

[Megidolaon]

I got a 2 TB HD which is about half full and literally 3 days after the warranty expired it failed, though sometimes when I restart it is working again, only to be not recognized or allegedly empty the next reboot.

It's WD because after researching for weeks supposedly for 2TB they were more reliable than anyone else.

Is there anything I can do that might extend the life of this HD at least for a bit until I backed up my data?

PS: it's not the drive with Windows 7 on it (I'm using Home Premium version).

 

[Snick]

Hi Megidolaon,

And the WD failures continue, unfortunately for you!
I don't recommend WD drives, you see why!
Try running this from WD Windows Data Lifeguard Diagnostics - WD Support

 

[townsbg]

Get your data off as soon as possible and replace it.

 

[AK6DN]

Hi Megidolaon,

And the WD failures continue, unfortunately for you!
I don't recommend WD drives, you see why!
Try running this from WD Windows Data Lifeguard Diagnostics - WD Support

I have never used anything but WD drives, and have never had a failure.

I have 1/2/4TB magnetic disks that are up to 10 yrs old now still running without fails in WinXP/Win7/Win10 systems.

Just retired some 8 yrs old WD data drives (5 yr warranty). Still no errors, just need more space.

I have 4*2TB and 4*8TB disks in QNAP NAS systems, all WD, and have never had a failure.

YMMV.

 

[SIW2]

My WD disks have lasted very well. The OP was unlucky. I haven't had such good experiences with seagates. As the poster said, YMMV.

Copy important data off immediately.

 

[Megahertz07]

For Desktop (3.5") HDD:
I always had WD first grade (black or gold) drives. Never had issues with them.
Have seen some WD green and blue that has failed. Also seen some Seagate failures.

A HDD one day will fail and is sooner than you think. Be prepared, always have a backup.

 

[Snick]

My WD disks have lasted very well. The OP was unlucky. I haven't had such good experiences with seagates. As the poster said, YMMV.

Copy important data off immediately.

Well... my experience is exactly opposite. Figures!

Snick

 

[Megahertz07]

Megidolaon,
First thing you must do is to make a backup of the files on the disk.
Then do a hardware test on it with Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows.
Do a logical test. Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
chkdsk x: /f (replace x with the drive letter assigned to the disk)

 

[Snick]

I have never used anything but WD drives, and have never had a failure.

I have 1/2/4TB magnetic disks that are up to 10 yrs old now still running without fails in WinXP/Win7/Win10 systems.

Just retired some 8 yrs old WD data drives (5 yr warranty). Still no errors, just need more space.

I have 4*2TB and 4*8TB disks in QNAP NAS systems, all WD, and have never had a failure.

YMMV.

I can say the same regarding Seagate and Crucial!
Everyone has their preferences!

 

[Megidolaon]

Thanks for the replies, somehow my HD is working again without doing anything.

Soon I'll return it (because I have still warranty for around 11 more months) and for now I was able to backup all data I want to keep.

 

[LeonSpinx]

I've only ever had one HD fail (Seagate) and I was able to save all the data by putting in a sandwich bag and freezing it over night. The platters spun up just fine and it lasted several more weeks, which was plenty of time to get a replacement and clone all the data.

 

[TechSeven]

Thanks for the replies, somehow my HD is working again without doing anything.

Soon I'll return it (because I have still warranty for around 11 more months) and for now I was able to backup all data I want to keep.

Good to hear this