Recover data from dead hard drive is critical when you encounter inaccessible data stored within it. Hard drives are the primary storage for important files on your computer, but they are not immune to issues like accidental deletion or hardware failure.
Data recovery from a dead hard drive can be crucial when encountering inaccessible data stored within it.
Hard drives are vital in storing and accessing important data files on your computer. Unfortunately, accidental deletion or unintentional emptying of the hard drive can occur, leading to data loss.
External hard drives are also susceptible to data loss like any other machine. A dead hard disk or erased data requires suitable recovery procedures. This tutorial will help you recover data from a dead hard disk.
What is Dead Hard Drive?
A dead hard drive is either not working or cannot be accessed. It is a term used to describe a hard drive that has experienced a hardware failure, rendering it unable to read or write data.
A dead hard drive can occur for various reasons, such as physical damage, component failure, data corruption, or other internal issues.
When a hard drive is dead, it typically requires professional intervention or specialized recovery techniques to retrieve stored data.
How a Hard Drive Becomes Dead or Damaged
Hard drives store your data on revolving magnetic platters instead of solid-state drives, which employ memory cells to store information. A head travels across the platters to find the location of the data that is being stored so that your system may read it.
Suffice it to say that there is a great deal of moving components involved. The following is a list of potential causes of failure or damage to a hard drive:
1: Physical Damage
Hard drives have moving parts, which means they can be physically damaged and stop working properly. This can occur if one of the platters inside the drive gets damaged or goes out of alignment.
When this happens, the hard drive becomes inoperable, and you won’t be able to access your data. Handling hard drives with care is important to avoid physical damage and ensure their longevity.
2: Data Corruption
Corruption is a type of damage that can occur in your computer’s files or the entire file system. Individual file corruption is more common, while both individual files and the whole system can be affected.
When the file system of your hard drive gets damaged, it results in the inability to access your data, making it unreadable and unusable. Data backups and regular system maintenance are essential to prevent and mitigate data corruption risks.
3: Malware Attack
Malware, like viruses, comes in various forms and can wreak havoc on your computer. Some malware can corrupt all files on your disk, while others may target specific files or folders.
The Annabelle ransomware virus is an example of this destructive malware, as it corrupts your files and encrypts them, demanding a ransom to unlock and regain access to your valuable data.
Staying vigilant and employing robust security measures are crucial in protecting against malware attacks.
4: Overheating
Constant reading and writing operations on the hard drive can lead to overheating, which may melt some components. To ensure the proper functionality of the hard disk, it is important to perform regular checks and maintenance.
It is crucial to discontinue using the drive promptly if any issues are detected during these checks. By taking these precautions, you can prevent further damage and maintain the optimal performance of your hard drive.
Signs of a Failing Hard Drive
When a hard drive can no longer read or write data, it is said to be “dead.” Any problem with the hardware or software might cause this. When a hard disk fails, it usually knocks out other components on the motherboard. Some warning signs that your hard disk is failing or has already failed are listed below.
- A whining or grinding noise emanating from the hard disk
- Having problems with your hard disk due to corrupted data
- Data read/written times to the hard disk lengthen
- Drive usage interrupted by unexpected system faults
- There is an increase in the temperature of the hard disk.
How to Get Back Lost Files from a Dead Hard Drive?
Two basic procedures must be completed before you can even begin investigating different methods for recovering data from a hard disk that is no longer working or has been damaged.
Step 1: Connect your Dead Hard Drive to a PC
This step is optional if your laptop or desktop computer has a hard drive just for the operating system and a different hard drive for data. But you’ll need to connect it if your dead hard drive has the operating system on it or someone with a running computer gave it to you.
You can connect the hard drive to the hardware using a SATA connection or a computer bus link. Just connect the wire to the hard drive and the computer.
You can also use a simple portable USB dock with any device. Just put your hard drive into the holder and connect it to a USB port on your laptop.
Step 2: Assessing the Damage
The damage to the malfunctioning hard disk can be assessed when connected to a healthy computer. Sometimes, the hard disk may appear as a regular storage device, allowing you to copy all its contents onto your computer.
However, most data recovery situations are more challenging. Although the hard drive’s contents may be accessible, neither Windows nor OS X cannot replicate it. The disk may look empty. Use emergency data recovery software.
Step 3: Recover Files from Dead Hard Drive Using Disk Drill
Disk Drill is the last resort when everything else has failed. Disk Drill distinguishes itself from the vast ocean of file recovery applications and apps with its sleek user interface, which enables anybody to recover data in a matter of minutes from external hard drives, SD cards, or just about any other storage device.
The following are steps for Data Recovery from a Failed Hard Drive:
Step 1: Obtain a Disk Drill and set it up on your computer.
Step 2: Click the “Recover” button after choosing your hard disk.
Step 3: See what your files look like in the preview.
Step 4: Pick and save your documents.
Disk Drill’s powerful data recovery algorithms can restore over 400 file types, and the whole process takes just a few minutes, including the time it takes to instruct the computer what to do.
Step 4: Check the Recycle Bin
The Recycling Bin is the first location that has to be checked. Before being removed from the system in a way that cannot be undone, deleted files are temporarily kept in the Recycling Bin.
This may not apply if the Recycling Bin is full or the file is too big to be put there. Before attempting other ways, it is strongly suggested to follow the guidelines provided below and look in the Recycling Bin.
- Access the trash can from the desktop.
- Right-click on the file and select “Restore” to restore it
- Hold down the CTRL key while individually clicking each file to restore multiple files simultaneously, as shown below.
- Clicking the “Restore” button will return everything to its original location.
- Alternatively, you can drag the files from the trash can to a new location.
- If you cannot restore your files from the trash can, proceed to the next option.
Step 5: Restore From a Backup
The fastest and most convenient way to recover data is by restoring it from a backup. However, this can only be done if you have a backup copy of the data.
Windows comes with preloaded backup apps, but to safeguard your information, you will need to configure them first.
The program File History is useful for accomplishing this goal since it regularly produces backup copies of the data you specify. To restore a file backup made with File History, follow these steps:
Step 1: Navigate back to the directory where the files were originally located.
Step 2: From the main menu, select “History.”
Step 3: Use the back and forward arrows to go to the specific period when the folder contains the desired files.
Step 4: Once selected, click the green “Restore” button.
Step 5: The files will be restored to their original folder.
Conclusion
Understanding the common issues affecting hard drives is essential for maintaining longevity and safeguarding valuable data. Whether it is physical damage, data corruption, or malware attacks, being aware of these risks empowers you to take appropriate measures to protect your hard drive and mitigate potential damage.
Additionally, knowing how to assess the damage and explore recovery options can greatly increase your chances of retrieving important data from a dead hard drive.
Regular maintenance, backups, and correct use may reduce these difficulties and keep your hard drive running well for years.
If anyone wants more information, they can read the additional article on TechChipo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Prevent Physical Damage to my Hard Drive?
Take special care while handling your hard drive; avoid dropping or otherwise jostling it, and store it in a steady setting free of extreme heat and moisture.
How Can I Protect my Hard Drive from Malware Attacks?
Install reliable antivirus software, keep it updated, and exercise caution when downloading files or clicking on suspicious links to minimize the risk of malware infecting your hard drive.
Is it Possible to Recover Data from a Dead Hard Drive?
Data recovery from a dead hard drive is possible through specialized techniques offered by professional data recovery services. However, success rates may vary depending on the severity of the damage.