Las señales de que tu disco duro está a punto de 'morir' (y qué hacer al respecto) | El Diario Vasco

Warning Signs of a Failing Hard Drive

The article details five common signs that a hard disk drive (HDD) is failing:

• Slower performance: The computer takes longer to boot, open programs, or navigate folders.
• Unusual noises: Intermittent or repetitive sounds indicate difficulties with reading or writing data.
• Missing files: Files or folders disappear, or existing files become corrupted and inaccessible.
• Freezing programs: Programs freeze frequently, or fail to open.
• Frequent error messages: Error messages such as 'cannot read disk', 'unreadable sector', or 'file not found' appear.

What to Do

If any of these signs occur, prioritize data backup using cloud storage or an external drive. Diagnose the problem using the built-in S.M.A.R.T. functionality (e.g., 'wmic diskdrive get model,status' in Windows, or Disk Utility in macOS) or third-party tools like 'CrystalDiskInfo' (Windows) or 'DriveDX' (macOS).

Prevention

To prolong HDD lifespan, avoid exposing the computer to high temperatures or humidity, avoid moving the computer or external HDD while in use, regularly clean to prevent dust accumulation, and use surge protectors.