Data recovery software might fix a corrupted hard drive — or cause permanent data loss. Before attempting recovery, understand the risks.

A hard drive controller transfers data to and from the computer’s CPU. Here’s an overview of this component along with common failure scenarios.

The hard drive actuator assembly includes several components that read and write data from the platters (or disks). Here’s an overview.

The plunging price of the cryptocurrency Chia has flooded the international market with used hard drives and solid state drives, according to a recent report from VNExpress International. The article cites a Facebook group with more than 5,000 Chia traders....

A hard drive’s landing zone (or LZone, or LZ) identifies the parking location of the read/write heads. Here’s a detailed description.

Buying used hard drives can save you money, but “refurbished" storage media carries significant risks. Here’s what you need to know.

All electronic devices need to be connected to a surge protector, and that’s particularly true for devices that store data. Hard drives rely on controllers, which allow the drive to transfer information to (and from) your computer. A sudden surge...

If you’re building a PC or buying an external hard drive, you may have the option to decide whether to orient the drive vertically or horizontally. Horizontal orientation is more or less the de facto standard — chances are, you’re...

An improper PC shutdown probably isn’t a big deal — but it could cause a hard drive failure. Here’s an overview of the risks.

Operating a hard drive at over 10,000 feet can put data at risk. Here’s an explanation of why HDD failures are more common at high altitude.