head crash

A head crash refers to a serious malfunction in hard disk drives (HDDs) where the read/write head, which scans the disk's surface for data, makes unintended contact with the disk. This can cause data loss or permanent damage as the head can scratch the disk's surface. Think of it like a needle on a record player slipping and damaging the vinyl. Head crashes can happen due to physical shock, extreme temperature changes, or wear over time. It's a significant risk for data storage, emphasizing the importance of regular backups to avoid losing important information.