Losing important data as a result of a corrupted hard drive can be frustrating. It might be stressful to consider losing crucial information, documents, and images. However, there are a number of techniques to recover lost data and recover corrupted hard disk. This post will provide you useful advice for recovering your lost data and discuss the top techniques to recover corrupted hard disk.
Understanding Corrupted Hard Disk
What causes a hard disk to become corrupted?
A hard disk drive (HDD) is an essential component of every computer system since it saves crucial data and files. However, a typical issue that computer users experience is when their hard disk becomes corrupted. Data loss, slow system performance, and system crashes can all be brought on by a corrupted hard drive. Here are some of the several reasons why a hard drive could get corrupted.
Physical Damage
One of the most frequent causes of hard disk corruption is physical damage. Because they are sensitive, hard disks are easily broken if handled carelessly. Physical harm can happen for a number of causes, including dropping the hard drive, being exposed to excessive heat or cold, humidity, or water damage. Hard disk failure can also occur as a result of a head crash, which occurs when the hard disk’s read/write head makes physical contact with the platter, causing physical damage to the disk.
Power Surges
When the electrical power in a circuit suddenly increases, power surges happen. Lightning strikes or electrical problems with the power grid can cause power surges. The hard drive may become corrupted if a power surge happens while the machine is functioning.
Virus or Malware Attack
Malicious programs like viruses and malware can get into a computer system and result in a variety of issues. By overwriting crucial system files, erasing crucial data, or installing other malicious software, they might ruin the hard disk. A hard disk crash that results in a total loss of data can also be brought on by some viruses and malware.
Software or Firmware Errors
Hard drive corruption can also be caused by software and firmware issues. Data corruption might come from the hard drive malfunctioning due to outdated or bug-ridden software or firmware. Hard drive corruption can also occur if there is a problem with the software or firmware installation or update process.
Lifespan
Finally, another element that might result in hard drive corruption is getting older. A hard disk’s likelihood of failure increases with time. This is due to the hard disk’s mechanical components deteriorating with time, making it more vulnerable to physical harm or mechanical failure.
How to identify a corrupted hard disk?
The following are some signs that can help you to identify the corrupted hard disk.
- Frequent system crashes and blue screen errors
- Slow performance
- Unusual noises
- Files and folders disappearing
- File errors and corruption
Recover Corrupted Hard Disk
How to Recover Corrupted Hard Disk Using Data Recovery Software
It is possible to recover corrupted hard disk from lost, destroyed, or damaged states using data recovery software. There are several data recovery software applications on the market, and they are made to function with both internal and external hard drives.
The software will scan the hard drive after installation to look for any missing, deleted, or damaged files. Depending on the size of the hard disk and the quantity of data saved on it, the scanning procedure might take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
The data recovery software will provide a list of all the files that can be retrieved when the scanning procedure is finished. The data you wish to recover may then be chosen, and they can be saved to a different location, such an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.
Recover Corrupted Hard Disk by Contacting a Data Recovery Service
Contacting a reputable data recovery provider is another step in the process of recover corrupted hard disk. These services make use of professionals with years of data recovery knowledge who also have access to specialized equipment and methods. They will assess the circumstance and provide you a price estimate for their services.
Once you’ve hired a professional data recovery agency, the hard disk will be evaluated to identify the degree of the damage. This assessment will assist the professionals in deciding if the data can be retrieved and the appropriate strategy to employ during the recovery procedure.
The data recovery service will start the recovery procedure after the evaluation. They will retrieve the data from the damaged hard disk using specialist techniques. Depending on the volume of data and the severity of the loss, this procedure may take a few hours to a few days.
The expert data recovery service will check the data’s consistency after it has been restored. They’ll check to make sure the data has been retrieved correctly and is free of mistakes or corruption.
The recovered data will then be moved to a new storage device by the expert data recovery service. They will make sure the data is protected and delivered in a way that reduces the possibility of data loss or corruption.
Recover Corrupted Hard Disk through DIY Hard Disk Repair
If the damage is major, it may be difficult to recover corrupted hard disk. The data can still be recovered via a DIY hard drive repair, though, if the damage is small. Recovering a corrupted hard disk using a DIY hard disk repair might be an effective and cost-effective alternative. However, it is crucial to remember that the success rate of DIY hard disk repair is dependent on the amount of the damage.
Step 1: Backup Your Data
It’s crucial to back up your data before beginning any hard drive repairs. This is due to the possibility of additional data loss when attempting to restore a faulty hard drive. Making a backup of your key data on an external hard drive or cloud storage service is therefore essential.
Step 2: Identify the Cause of the Corrupted Hard Disk
Finding the source of the corruption is the next stage in a do-it-yourself hard drive repair. This will enable you to choose the best line of action. Taking the hard drive to a reputable data recovery agency may be the best option if the corruption is caused by physical damage, such as scratches or dents on the disk. You can try to repair the hard drive manually if the corruption is brought on by software problems like viruses or faulty sectors.
Step 3: Repair the Hard Disk
The process of fixing a corrupted hard disk may be done using a variety of tools and techniques. Here are a few of the most typical:
A built-in Windows tool called CHKDSK may fix hard disk issues, including faulty sectors. Open Command Prompt as an administrator, then type “chkdsk c: /f /r” (alter “c” with the letter of the corrupted hard drive) to use CHKDSK. This will search for problems on the disk and make an effort to fix them.
b) Disk Utility (Mac): If you have a Mac, you may fix a corrupted hard drive using the Disk Utility application. Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility to do this. Click the “First Aid” tab after selecting the corrupted hard drive from the list. To begin the repair procedure, click “Run”.
c) Third-party tools: A number of third-party applications, including EaseUS Partition Master, MiniTool Partition Wizard, and TestDisk, are available for fixing faulty hard drives. These programs can assist you in recovering lost data, repairing damaged sectors, and resolving other potential corruption-related problems.
Step 4: Recover Your Data
Using the backup you made in Step 1, you may restore your data after fixing the faulty hard drive. If you did not make a backup, you can recover lost data from the hard drive using data recovery software. Recuva, Stellar Data Recovery, and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard are a few of the most well-liked data recovery programs.
Restoring Lost Data
Tips for restoring lost data
- Stop using the affected device immediately – Data loss may not always result in its permanent loss. It is frequently still there on the device but is inaccessible as a result of corruption or other harm. But the more time you spend using the device, the more likely it is that fresh data will replace the lost data. Therefore, to prevent additional harm, cease using the impacted device as soon as you believe that you’ve lost data.
- Identify the cause of the data loss – Data loss can occur for numerous causes. Hardware failure, unintentional deletion, malware infestation, and natural calamities are a few typical causes. You may choose the best method to restore the lost data by determining the reason of the loss.
- Determine if you have a backup – The procedure of recovering your data is often simple if you have a backup. Your data should be restored to its previous condition quickly if you simply follow the instructions for doing so.
- Try data recovery software -You might be possible to recover the lost data using data recovery software if you don’t have a backup or if the backup doesn’t have it. Online, there are numerous alternatives for both paid and free data recovery software. These programs operate by searching the afflicted device for signs of the lost data.It’s crucial to remember that data recovery software is not always effective. The reason of the data loss, how long ago the data was lost, and other factors all affect how successful data recovery software is. Additionally, it’s critical to utilize reliable data recovery software to lower your chance of contracting malware or other security risks.
- Consult a data recovery specialist – You might wish to speak with a data recovery professional if you’ve tried data recovery software but still can’t get your lost data back or if the data is very valuable. Data recovery professionals are experts in restoring lost data, and they have specialized tools and procedures that frequently succeed when other approaches fail.
Common mistakes to avoid when restoring lost data
1. Not having a backup strategy
Not having a backup plan in place is one of the greatest errors individuals make. It’s crucial to regularly keep a backup of your critical data. Without a backup, you risk permanently losing your data. As a result, it is imperative to set up a backup plan before you really lose your data.
2. Overwriting the original data
Overwriting the original data is another error that individuals do frequently while recovering lost data. When data is lost, it’s crucial to wait to write new data to the storage device until the missing data has been found. Writing new data to the storage device runs the risk of overwriting deleted data, making recovery challenging or even impossible.
3. Using unreliable data recovery software
Software for data recovery is widely accessible on the market. But not all of them can be trusted. Data loss or even data corruption might result from using a faulty data recovery software tool. To guarantee that your data is restored precisely and safely, it is crucial to utilize a trusted data recovery software tool.
4. Ignoring physical damage to the storage device
Ignoring it may result in more harm or data loss if your data loss is the result of physical damage to the storage device. Before attempting to recover the lost data, it is crucial to take care of any physical damage to the storage device. Sometimes the damage may be too great to allow the data to be recovered. However, if the physical damage is rectified, expert data recovery services may typically assist in recovering the data.
5. Not seeking professional help
Many people make an independent attempt to restore their lost data. If the wrong actions are performed, this might result in more data loss or even data corruption. If you are uncertain of how to retrieve your lost data, it is vital to seek expert assistance. Professional data recovery services have the knowledge and resources to correctly and safely recover lost data.
How to create a backup plan to prevent data loss
Here are some steps to create a backup plan:
1. Identify the Data to Back Up
The data that has to be backed up must be identified before a backup strategy can be developed. Important documents, emails, contacts, pictures, videos, and other digital assets might all fall under this category.
2. Choose the Backup Method
There are several backup options, including network-attached storage (NAS), external hard drives, cloud-based backup services, and USB flash drives. It’s critical to select the approach that best fits your objectives because each strategy has benefits and drawbacks.
3. Schedule Regular Backups
Once you’ve decided on a backup strategy, it’s critical to set up frequent backups. You might need to back up your data daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on how much data you have and how often it changes.
4. Keep Multiple Copies
In case one of your backup copies fails or is lost, it is crucial to retain several copies. Backups can be stored in a variety of places, including USB flash drives, external hard drives, and cloud storage.
5. Test Your Backup Plan
It’s crucial to verify your backup strategy after putting it up to make sure it operates as intended. This may be accomplished by restoring your data from the backup and ensuring that nothing has been damaged.
6. Update Your Backup Plan
Regular backup plan updates are crucial as your data expands and changes. You might need to modify the number of backups each week or add additional files.
7. Protect Your Backup Data
Last but not least, you must safeguard your backup data from illegal access. Using encryption, passwords, or other security measures is one way to do this.
