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.

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...

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.

The VCRs of the world are breaking down. Functioning film projectors are increasingly hard to find. Tapes and film degrade with every viewing. To preserve your analog video collection — and to share it in digital channels, from Facebook to...

If your family recorded home videos between the 1930s and the 1970s, odds are they captured that vacation or piano recital on 8 mm film. (Super 8, Kodak’s hugely popular take on the original amateur film format, debuted in 1965...