External hard drives have become an important part of our lives. It allows us to transfer a lot of data easily and quickly. However, many users don’t know how to recover files from hard disks when data is lost. This guide is intended to provide the knowledge and solutions you need to effectively recover data from external hard drive.
With my extensive experience in backup and recovery as well as my work at IBM, I have encountered various types of hard drive failures. In this article I will share my first-hand test reviews on recovery tools and take you through common problems and powerful solutions for external hard drive data recovery.
Before recovering data from external hard drive
Before recovering data from an external hard drive, it is important to understand the reasons behind the failure. Rushing into any recovery solution without sufficient information can make the problem worse and lead to data loss that cannot be recovered. In order to increase your chances of success. It is essential to learn how the hard drive works and the common causes of failure before proceeding with the recovery process.
When you encounter problems with your external hard drive, it is important to stop using it immediately. Continuous use may cause information to be overwritten, making recovery harder. By responding quickly, you can prevent further damage and increase your chances of successful recovery.
Common causes of hard drive failure
There are several common reasons for hard drive failure:
- Locking problems: This problem is usually caused by a file system error or corrupted data that prevents access to stored data. It may be the result of an emergency disconnection during data transfer, power gain, or incorrect file system operation. Fixing these problems initially with the appropriate recovery software can lead to high success rates in file recovery.
- Hard drive does not rotate: This type of failure occurs when the hard drive refuses to rotate, usually due to an exploding diode caused by voltage problems. In many cases, replacing the printed circuit board can solve the problem without turning the drive on.
- Click or sound: Clicks or sound sounds are strong indicators of severe damage to hard drives. These sounds occur when the reader/writer fails to return to home position or is stuck on tiles causing significant scratches. Such damage often leads to irreparable data loss. Professional hard drive recovery services with specific, dust-free labs can solve these problems, but may be expensive.
- Unaccessible hard drive: If your computer knows the hard drive, but you can’t access the file or boot in the operating system, it’s probably because the file system is corrupted. The recovery tool can help to recover data from inaccessible Hard Drive and identify corrupted file system.
- Hard drive not detected: If your computer fails to detect a running hard drive, it may be caused by compatibility issues between the hard drive and the main desktop. Devices from unknown manufacturers or older hardware are dangerous to this problem, especially. Manual hard drive recovery techniques can sometimes fix this problem.
- Malware infection: The infection may lead to data loss. It is highly threatened by encrypting critical data and demanding revenge for decryption. Using hard drive data recovery software can effectively combat malware infections.
- Data corruption: Software errors or user errors can cause data corruption, making files unreadable. Some corrupted files can be repaired using available tools and techniques, but this is not always possible.
- Physical hard drive destruction: Even the most sophisticated disk may suffer physical damage which will result in complete failure. Repairing damaged hard drive is challenging and requires the expertise of professional and appropriate equipment.
How to recover data from external hard drive
Now should explore how to recover data from an external hard drive experiencing one of the common types of disk failure mentioned above. I will give detailed steps for two options: using hard drive recovery software and finding professional data recovery services.
Option 1: Recover data from external hard drive using software.
For at least damaged hard drives, the free data recovery tool is the best choice. One recommended tool is WinfrGUI. The easy-to-use graphical interface developed by Microsoft for Windows file recovery. WinfrGUI makes the recovery process easier even for users with limited technical expertise, following these steps:
- Download and install WinfrGUI: Install WinfrGUI on a separate hard drive from the one you want to recover data from.
- Start WinfrGUI and choose the drive: Open Winfr GUI and select the external hard drive you want to recover data from. Start the scan process by clicking on the specified button.
- As soon as the scan is complete: The duration of the scanning depends on the size and speed of your drive. Patience is key while WinfrGUI scans missing data.
- Analyze scan results: After the scan is completed, use WinfrGUI’s filter and search function to analyze the results. Select the file you want to recover from the missing data list.
- Start Recovery Process: Select the file you want and start the recovery process by clicking the appropriate button. Select a suitable target for the recovered file.
By following these simple steps, WinfrGUI enables smooth data recovery for Windows users with an inexpensive solution to find lost files from external hard drives.
Option 2: Hard Drive Recovery Service
For situations requiring professional expertise such as physically damaged hard drives, a data recovery service center such as SalvageData can provide the necessary assistance. The common process for most data recovering centers involves starting orders to work, packing and shipping your media, being evaluated and priced approved by an expert and waiting for information to be recovered.
Contrary to common belief, professional data recovery services are affordable. Most reputable companies charge depending on the amount of data recovered and offer a “no data, no fees” warranty. You only pay for successful recoveries.
Option 3: Edit Hard Drive Recovery manually
Data loss caused by file system corruption can often be fixed using manual hard drive recovery techniques. While the comprehensive list of corrections goes beyond the scope of this article, I will highlight three reliable ways:
Fix 1: CHKDSK command for Windows users
- Enter “cmd” in the search box on the taskbar and select “Run as Administrator”.
- Enter the command “chkdsk X: / f” (replace X with the letter of the hard drive you want to edit) and press Enter.
- Soon, CHKDSK will be done.
Fix 2: First help in Disk Utility for Mac users
- Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities and open Disk Utility
- Select the hard drive you want to repair from the list and click on the first help button.
- Confirm that you want First Aid to verify that there is an error in separation.
Fix 3: Install new drivers
- Search for “Device Manager” in the taskbar and select Device Manager
- Search your external hard drive, which is normally in the portable device section.
- Right-click on the hard drive and select Uninstall device
- Restart your computer and wait for the correct driver to be reinstalled automatically.
By following these manual HDD recovery fixes, you can fix data loss caused by file system damage.
In conclusion, it is possible to recover data from external hard drives with the right knowledge and tools. By understanding the type of hard drive failure and using the right recovery methods, you can increase your chances of recovering lost data. Whether you choose data recovery software, professional services or manual fixing. It is important to proceed quickly and carefully to avoid destroying your valuable data.
