My HDD stopped working - my HDD died - Blog Vexus

Losing access to data on a hard drive can be a big shock. And then, when despair hits, the first question that comes to mind is: What to do?

The immediate action is to go to search engines and look for solutions to the problem or some miraculous software that solves the situation.

The main advice we have is:

Do not attempt to recover the data yourself(DIY). Seek specialized help.

Data recovery software can only handle the simplest cases, those that do not involve physical damage. And yet, it is common for us to receive customers seeking help because they purchased software and the files were completely corrupted after recovery.

And the bad news that follows is that most HD problems are related to some type of physical damage.

The key point is to have an accurate diagnosis of the problem in order to have a correct approach to ensure successful data recovery. Without specialized equipment, knowledge, and experience, this becomes an impossible task.

Recovering data from a damaged hard drive without the appropriate equipment and only using software downloaded from the internet can present a series of risks:

• Additional damages: Trying to access a damaged hard drive without technical knowledge can cause even greater damage. Attempts to force read the disc in a frame with scratched media or a weak read head may worsen the condition of the HDD.
• Permanent data loss: Recovery software may not be effective enough to deal with physical damage. This can result in permanent data loss, especially if the disk is severely damaged.
• Worsening the problem: Inadequate tactics can further complicate the situation. For example, if the disk is making strange noises, trying to run software can increase wear and tear and lead to irreparable damage.
• Hard drive unusable: Using inappropriate or incorrect software can render the disk completely unusable. If someone attempts to physically "repair" the disk without technical knowledge, it may result in permanent damage to the data.
• Additional charge: If the data is valuable and the situation worsens, you may end up spending more money on professionals to try to resolve the problem or even replacing the damaged disk.

Hard drives can fail for a variety of reasons, some of which include:

• Mechanical wear: Hard driveshave moving parts, such as magnetic disks and read/write arms. Over time, these parts can wear out, leading to physical failures.
• Electronic faults: Internal electronic components, such as circuit boards or controllers, can suffer damage from power fluctuations, voltage spikes, overheating, or simply wear and tear over time.
• Software errors: File system problems, data corruption, or software/firmware failures can cause damage to stored data or disk operations.
• External factors: Physical damage, such as impacts, drops, exposure to water, or extreme heat, can severely damage a hard drive.
• Natural wear: Over time, all electronic and mechanical components undergo natural wear and tear, which can lead to a reduction in the reliability and performance of the hard drive.

When a hard drive stops working, data recovery becomes a complex task that requires high technical knowledge. Here are the reasons why a specialized company is crucial in this process:

Specialized Knowledge:

• Accurate Diagnosis: Professionals specializing in data recovery have in-depth knowledge of the different types of hardware and software failures that can affect a hard drive. They are able to perform accurate diagnostics to identify the root cause of the failure.

• Understanding File Systems: These experts have extensive knowledge about the file systems used in HDDs (NTFS, FAT, exFAT, HFS+, ZFS, among others). This is crucial for rebuilding and accessing corrupted or damaged data.

Specific Tools and Technology:

• Advanced Recovery Tools: Specialized companies have advanced data recovery tools that enable them to handle various types of failures, even in cases where the hard drive cannot be accessed or recognized by a standard computer.

• Controlled Laboratories: More serious cases involve laboratories specially equipped to deal with damaged hard drives, enabling them to be opened in controlled environments that minimize contamination and maximize the chances of successful recovery.

Appropriate Procedures:

• Manuseio Profissional: Improper handling can worsen the situation. A trained professional knows how to deal with damaged disks to prevent further damage, using proper procedures to extract the data.

• Security and Confidentiality: These companies are prepared to deal with sensitive data. They adopt strict security measures and guarantee the confidentiality of information throughout the recovery process.

Process Complexity:

• Recovery at Different Levels: Depending on the complexity of the failure, it may be necessary to perform recovery at different levels, such as logical data reconstruction, physical disk repair, or direct extraction of damaged sectors.

• Reconstruction of Damaged Data: In cases of extreme corruption or physical damage, experts are able to reconstruct fragmented or damaged data using specialized techniques to access information even in problem areas of the disk.

When your HDD fails, a company specializing in data recovery is the best option to face the situation because with knowledge, tools and experience, you have a better chance of rescuing your lost data.