File Recovery Guide

Physical damage to the computer is the number one reason why "head crashes occur." This can easily occur when a computer is moved while operational. The motor bearings will usually make a screeching or grinding sound that will alarm you to the problem.

What to do in the case of a head crash
Do not leave the computer running, the longer it runs the more damage it will do to the hard drive. Shut it down and do not reboot. In this case the hard drive must be sent to a file recovery specialist.

The hard drive can be referred to as the brain of the computer, without it nothing works. It is the main source for storing all your computer programs and data.

Hard Disk Anatomy

Platters
These are the disks inside the hard drive that store data. The data is transferred to the disks from the read/write heads.

The Read/Write Heads
There is one head on each side of every platter. When the heads are spinning they create an air pressure that keeps the heads from coming into contact with the platters. If they come into contact they would crash.

The Spindle and Spindle Motor
The platters are divided by disk spacers that turn on a spindle. The motor inside the spindle spins the platters at a fast rate while the computer is operational.

• The space in between the platter and the head is so minute that a little speck of dust caught in between could throw the system completely off.

Head Actuator
Moves the heads around the platters.