Unfortunately, computers do not last forever. Therefore, you can expect system issues and failures at some point in the device’s life. Panic often sets in at the first sign of a failed hard drive. However, if your company regularly backs up its data, there is no reason to panic.
Unfortunately, not every company backs up their files, so it is sometimes essential to recover files from a failed hard drive. Here’s how:
Identify the Cause of the Hard Drive Failure
There are numerous reasons why your computer has experienced a hard drive failure, but it is essential to identify the cause so you can embark the appropriate solution.
For example, a hard drive failure could have been caused by:
A recently installed piece of software
An old hard drive with physical issues
A harmful virus or malware
A spillage
There are numerous reasons why your hard drive could have experienced a failure, but never fear, because there is a recovery solution to help retrieve your lost data.
Basic Recovery Solutions
If you can identify whether the hard drive failure was caused by a hardware or software issue, you can then select your next course of action. Sadly, hardware failures, also known as mechanical drive failures, are often a little harder to fix than a software issue, which is also known as logical drive failures.
If you are experiencing a hardware problem, it is recommended to consult an experienced professional to provide a hard drive repair or data retrieval. For example, there are Secure Data Recovery techniques that can retrieve lost data, even if the hard drive failure is irreparable. Luckily, software issues are a little easier to remedy. There are numerous recovery tools that can reverse the impact of a failure.
If you are unsure if a hard drive failure has been caused by a hardware or software issue, it might be a good idea to remove the drive from the system and test it on another device. When installed on a new device or USB disc cradle, you should listen carefully to hear if the plates are spinning, which could mean a software issue caused the failure. However, a solid-state drive (SSD) will not produce noise, so a user will need to perform various diagnostic tests to identify a mechanical or logical cause. However, we recommend leaving a hard drive removal to the experts, as a particle of dust can thwart a data recovery.
Write a List of Important Data
Never embark with a hard drive repair if you lack the confidence and knowledge to repair a computer and retrieve your data effectively. You must, therefore, consult an experienced IT professional or retrieval company. What’s more, you should write a list of all the important data you might lose if you are unable to recover a hard drive. For example, you could potentially lose customer details, tax information, business documents, expensive software, photos and personal information. This will ensure you can request the retrieval of select files or can take immediate action to eliminate the damage caused by the data loss.