Hard disk repair is the recovery of data, which has been lost due to failed, corrupted or not accessible storage medium. This repair is required because there may have been damage to the storage device or damage to the system of files. There may be a failure of the operating system usually on a single disk or partition, where the need is to basically copy all needed files on another disk or do a back up on live CD or removable device using a filing manager or optical disc authoring software. Valuable data files can be then stored on different partitions from replaceable OS system files. 
If there is a failure in the disk, e.g. hard disk failure, the lost data cannot be easily retrieved. Here the solution to the problem is repairing the file system, partitioning the table or master boot –record, or using hard disk repair techniques ranging from software based recovery of corrupted data to the hardware replacement on a physically damaged disk. Many a time, it is essential to use hard disk repair methods when it has failed permanently. Then the main purpose is to recover or salvage whatever data can be retrieved.
Also, hard disk repair may be required when there is a failure due to physical damage of the media. Scratches on the CD-ROMs or mechanical failure like head crashes, failure of motors or breakage of tapes. There is always data loss along with logical structures of the file system is also lost. It is advised to deal with the logical data before salvaging the files.
How to repair a damaged hard disk?
To begin with, opening a hard disk for repairs may cause dust to settle in causing further crashes. Also, the users do not have the expertise to repair the hard disk. In such cases, companies are most often employed, a procedure which is expensive. Replacing its parts can repair some damage to the hard disk. This may make the hard disk usable in spite of the lingering logical damage.
A specialized disk–imaging procedure is employed to recover the readable part from the surface. Some of the original file system can be reconstructed by acquiring the image, saving on a reliable medium and then analyzing for logical damage.
Hard disk repair needs to be done by first switching off the computer completely and opening its casing. Take out the internal hard drive and remove its external covering. Check out any loose components and re-fasten them. Check fault of misalignment in the actuator arm and discs and do the manual hard disk repair. Take expert assistance if you spot scratches on the surface of the disc. Cover the Hard disk drive and check all connecting cables for pin damage and fasten them securely. Turn off the PC and restart to test if the hard disk repair has been done.
True protection of your hard disk requires you to back up all your files and data. Remember, prevention being better than cure and thus, regular maintenance checks to repair minor mechanical faults should be conducted.
How to conduct a software hard disk repair?
If there are no apparent mechanical faults found, then you can do some software checks. There are checking facilities for disk scanning provided by the windows. Bad sectors can be detected for any potential corruptions or faults. However, it is advised that hard disk data recovery be accomplished before hard disk repair.
Finally, all the above are highly technical procedure involving expert recovery companies. If novices employ such methods then the warranty of the manufacturer may be hampered. Technicians advise users to be aware of the pre-crash warnings such as the deadly blue screen. This allows us some time to back up all the files and then take it to a professional for the hard disk repair.
According to our computer techs here, the techniques you’ve listed above should only be performed outside of a professional data recovery lab if the data is of no importance to you. When a data recovery lab receives a drive that has been opened or mucked with, the price for recovery increases dramatically while the likelihood of a successful recovery decreases dramatically. Most reputable data recovery labs will evaluate the drive for free. We use a company called Gillware, their site is: http://gillware.com.