If your hard drive gets wet, your priority should be to avoid inappropriate actions that could worsen the situation and thus increase the chances of recovering the data, especially in relation to the hard drive media, which is where the information is stored.
Therefore, knowing how to deal with this delicate situation is essential to maximize the chances of data recovery.
Here are five important pieces of advice:
1. Turn off the hard drive immediately
If the HD is still connected to a device, turn it off and remove it. Do not connect it to any power source, as electrical current in a wet device can cause a short circuit, which can further damage the hard drive and make data recovery difficult.
2. Don't try to dry the hard drive with hot air or heat
Avoid using a hair dryer or placing the hard drive in the sun. Heat can warp the internal components or cause condensation to form inside the hard drive, which can make the situation worse. Instead, seek professional help as soon as possible.
3. Do not open the HDD
Even if the hard drive is wet inside, opening the device without a controlled environment and without proper tools can expose the internal parts to dirt and particles that will further damage the magnetic disks. Keeping the hard drive sealed will increase the chances of recovery.
4. Keep your wet HD inside a sealed plastic bag
A tightly sealed plastic bag is usually sufficient. Keep your device in a dry place, as excess moisture promotes corrosion. Try to remove as much air as possible from the bag to reduce the amount of oxygen that can reach the hard drive.
5. Seek professional help from data recovery experts
Recovering data from a wet hard drive requires specific equipment and techniques. Incorrect handling can result in data loss forever. Take your hard drive to a data recovery company as soon as possible to maximize your chances of successful recovery.
These tips can make all the difference when trying to recover data from a water-damaged hard drive!
What happens to a wet hard drive?
The most obvious is that all the electronic circuits can be compromised by the possibility of corrosion and short circuits.
However, the potential damage goes far beyond that. When a hard drive gets wet, its internal components are exposed to a high risk of corrosion, especially if it is salt water. Seawater contains chlorine and sodium ions, which accelerate the corrosion of metal components and coatings on the hard drive media. Even in just a few hours, this water can cause damage to the media and corrode parts such as the read head, as well as damaging the motor. This type of damage seriously compromises the integrity of the disk, and can result in irreversible data loss.
Water contaminated with dirt or debris is even more dangerous, as any residue that comes into contact with the platters where the data is recorded can leave marks, hinder the movement of the reading heads and even cause scratches on the platters. Oxidation resulting from contact with contaminated water or even a damp surface can create a layer of rust on the platters, making any future attempts to read the disk sectors much more difficult.
In addition to the corrosive effect, contaminated water can contain suspended particles, minerals, and other impurities that adhere to the surface of the platters. The problem is that these particles create direct physical interference between the reading head and the surface of the disk, forming a barrier that prevents the smooth and precise movement of the head.
The read head of a modern HDD floats above the surface of the platters at a distance of only about 3 nanometers. This extreme proximity means that any particle or minimal contamination between the head and the platter can result in a head crash.
A head crash is when there is direct contact between the read head and the platters, especially with contaminant particles on the surface, causing permanent scratches and damaging sectors where the data is stored. This physical damage compromises the magnetism of the affected sectors, making it impossible to recover data from these areas.
Preventing Major Damage
Due to the high risk of corrosion and abrasion, attempting to power on the HD without a specialized cleaning and decontamination process is extremely risky. Even small residues of salt water or contaminant particles can irreversibly compromise the integrity of the disk and its data.
Practical Tip: Never try to turn on a wet HDD and, most importantly, never open a HDD! Your first reaction should be to seek specialized help immediately.
Conclusion
When attempting to power on a water-damaged hard drive, the read heads may come into contact with the platters, resulting in physical damage. This unwanted contact, known as a head crash, can scratch the sectors where data is stored, making it impossible to recover parts or even all of the disk's contents. Contaminated or salty water, when dried, can leave mineral deposits or other residues on the sectors, making data access even more difficult.
Never open the HD. Seek specialized help!
