Data Recovery Guide

Step-by-step instructions for recovering data from various storage devices

Before You Begin

1

Stop Using the Device Immediately

Continued use of a failing drive can cause permanent data loss. Power down the device if you notice any warning signs.

Warning: Never attempt DIY recovery if you hear clicking, grinding, or other unusual noises from your drive - this indicates physical damage requiring professional help.

2

Assess the Situation

Determine whether your data loss is caused by:

  • Logical issues (deleted files, formatting, corruption)
  • Physical damage (dropped device, water damage, electrical issues)
  • Mechanical failure (unusual noises, not spinning up)
3

Gather Necessary Tools

Depending on your situation, you may need:

  • Another computer with sufficient storage space
  • USB adapter or external enclosure
  • Data recovery software (for logical recoveries only)
  • Clean, static-free workspace

Tip: For physical damage cases, professional tools and cleanroom environments are required to prevent further damage.

Device-Specific Recovery Guides

Hard Disk Drive Recovery

1

Connect the Drive Safely

Use a USB adapter or connect as a secondary drive in another computer. Avoid writing anything to the damaged drive.

2

Run Diagnostic Tools

Check if the drive is detected in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac). Note any error messages.

3

Attempt Data Recovery

For logical recoveries only, use reputable recovery software like:

  • Recuva (free, basic recovery)
  • R-Studio (advanced features)
  • GetDataBack (NTFS/HFS+ specialist)

Note: Always recover data to a different drive, never back to the same damaged drive.

Solid State Drive Recovery

Important: SSD recovery is more complex than HDD recovery due to TRIM and wear-leveling. Success rates decrease significantly after drive use.

1

Minimize Drive Access

SSDs lose deleted data faster than HDDs. Power down immediately if data is critical.

2

Check Controller Status

Use manufacturer tools to assess SSD health. Failed controllers often require chip-off recovery.

3

Professional Assistance

Most SSD failures require specialized tools available only to professional recovery services.

RAID Array Recovery

Critical: Never attempt to rebuild or resync a degraded array without professional guidance.

1

Document Configuration

Note down RAID level, disk order, stripe size, and any controller settings.

2

Secure All Drives

Label and safely store all member drives. Never attempt to force a failed drive back online.

3

Professional Reconstruction

RAID recovery requires specialized software to properly reconstruct the array virtually.

USB Flash Drive Recovery

1

Check Physical Connections

Try different USB ports and computers. Look for loose connectors or physical damage.

2

Assess Detection

Check if the drive appears in Disk Management with correct capacity (may show as "RAW").

3

Recovery Options

For logical issues, use flash-specific recovery tools. For physical damage, professional NAND chip reading may be required.

When to Call Professionals

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Signs You Need Expert Help

  • Clicking, buzzing, or grinding noises
  • Drive not detected in BIOS
  • Water or fire damage
  • SSD with controller failure
  • Multiple RAID drive failures
  • Failed DIY recovery attempts

Did You Know? Our cleanroom lab can recover data from drives with physical damage that software cannot handle.

Get Professional Help Now