Warning: Please Back Up your Data and Replace Hard Disk Drive, What to Do

WARNING: Please back up your data and replace your hard disk drive. A failure may be imminent and cause unpredictable failure.

The Warning message is quite clear and the BIOS is asking you to replace your hard disk. However, some users have reported getting this message when there is no fault with their hard disk or it is fairly new. Hence we can say that this Warning may not always be true and can be triggered due to other factors. In this guide, we will examine a few methods you need to follow to take a backup before replacing your hard disk. Without further ado, let us begin. 

Also Read: Fix: Hard Disk Serial Number Changer Unable to Write to This Disk in Drive

What To Do If You Recieve The “Please back up your data…” Error

If you are getting this warning message. you are in a tricky situation. But before taking any drastic step calm down and think over what to do. Here is a list of some possible scenarios with the best solutions that can be taken. 

Identify the Scenario that matches your situation and follow the steps beside it.

Scenarios	What To Do
1. You receive the warning message, and the computer boots up normally	Backup your data onto an external hard disk as soon as possible. Run Chkdsk to check and fix issues with your hard disk. Restart your PC, and if you receive the warning again, replace your hard disk.
2.  You receive the warning message and cannot boot into Windows OS. (follow the steps mentioned, and once you can reach your Windows desktop, follow the steps in scenario 1)	Activate Startup Repair and reboot your PC to check if you can access the Windows OS. Disable SMART Self-Test and try to boot into Windows OS.
3. You need your files and are not able to load the Windows OS	Back up your files/folders using Windows Recovery Environment to
4. You cannot load Windows or WINRE and have a second PC.	Connect The Faulty Hard Disk To Another PC. Update hard drive firmware.
5. Your disk is corrupted and does not work on a second PC.	Format your disk. Use Advanced Disk Recovery to recover your data.

We have explained the detailed procedure for following the methods described above. You can follow the steps under each method that applies to your scenario and reboot the PC to check if the issue has been resolved.

Run Chkdsk

The Chkdsk tool, an inbuilt utility provided by Microsoft to all Windows users, helps scan, identify, and repair hard disk faults and errors. If there is a minor error on your hard disk, like a few bad sectors, this tool can fix the issue, and you will not receive the Warning message again. Here are the steps:

1. Press Win + R to launch the RUN dialog box and type “cmd.”
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt in admin mode.
3. Type “chkdsk e: /f /r /x” followed by the Enter key. 

Note: The “e:” is the drive letter where the Windows has been installed.

4. Restart the PC and check if you still receive the Warning message. 

Activate Startup Repair

Startup Repair is an inbuilt troubleshooting tool in Windows that can automatically diagnose and fix problems preventing your PC from booting properly. It’s especially useful if you’re encountering boot-related issues, such as Windows failing to start or crashing during startup. The Startup Repair tool is located in the Windows Recovery Environment and to access it you have to reboot your PC and tap on the F11 key many times till you enter the WINRE.

Once the PC loads the WINRE, click on Troubleshoot, followed by the Startup Repair option under Advanced Options, and follow the steps on the screen to check and repair your computer. The PC will boot normally after the repair has been completed.

Disable SMART Self-Test

If Startup Repair doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try disabling the SMART Self-Test to allow Windows to boot so you can make copies of files and folders. The process for disabling the SMART Self-Test can vary depending on your computer’s BIOS. For specific instructions, consult the official website of your PC’s manufacturer.

Once the SMART Self-Test is disabled, you log into Windows OS normally and take a backup of all files/folders. After that, you can replace your hard drive. It is not recommended to keep the SMART Self-Test off always, which means you may have to replace the hard disk after all.

Take A Backup Using Windows Recovery Environment

If you can’t log into Windows, you can copy your files and folders using the Windows Recovery Environment. First, access the Advanced Startup Options screen, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Command Prompt. Once the Command Prompt window opens, type “Notepad” and press Enter.

The command above will launch the Notepad app in the Windows Recovery Environment. Next, press Ctrl+O to view all your hard disks, partitions, and any external devices connected to your PC. Open the affected drive and copy your data. Then, paste the data onto a different storage device. While this process may take some time, it will allow you to back up your files.

Connect The Faulty Hard Disk To Another PC

For this, you need access to a second computer. Open the computer case and remove the hard drive with issues. Look for free HDD slots on the motherboard. If none are available, connect the drive externally using a hard disk enclosure. Once the drive detects, you can back up your data.

Most of the time, a faulty hard disk may not be able to load the Windows OS but can function as a secondary drive. This way, you can connect it to another PC and copy all the files you need.

Update Firmware

An outdated hard drive firmware could be a potential reason for this error. Even if the hard disk is in good condition, the firmware can be outdated. To resolve the issue, you can update the firmware on a different computer and then reinstall the drive in your system. To find the exact process for updating your hard drive’s firmware, visit the manufacturer’s official website.

Format Hard Disk

To format your hard disk, connect it to another PC and then open This PC. Right-click on your affected hard disk and choose Format. Follow the steps, and your hard disk will be formatted. If you do not have a second PC, you will have to use the Windows Installation Disk to format and reinstall Windows on your Hard Disk.

Also Read: FIXED! Can’t Format USB Flash Drive Error on Windows

Recover Data Using Advanced Disk Recovery

If the above methods do not work, you can format your drive if inaccessible. The biggest problem is that you would lose your data. But don’t fret! We have Advanced Disk Recovery to help you recover your files and folders even after a format. This amazing disk recovery software can help users recover all sorts of files from a hard disk that has been corrupted or formatted. Here are the steps to use this recovery application –

1. Download & Install Advanced Disk Recovery using the button provided below.

2. Open the app and choose the drive to be scanned.

3. Click on the Start Scan Now Button.
4. Select the Deep Scan option to recover all files and click on Scan Now.

5. Click on the box next to the files you wish to retrieve and click on the Recover button.

6. Specify the folder where you wish to store these recovered files and click on OK.

Error – Is It Gone

We hope that we were able to successfully guide you through the “Warning: Please Back Up Your Data And Replace Your Hard Disk Drive” issue. Your data is all that matters and cannot be replaced. If you have recovered all your data, consider getting a new hard disk and installing a fresh Windows OS copy. We would love to hear about your issue and how you fixed it in the comments section below.