Hard disks, like other equipment, can fail. However, you may want to retrieve vital data from a dead hard drive. This tutorial suits this circumstance. You will learn why the hard disk failed, how it was damaged, and how to recover data from dead devices. You will also learn how to fix dead hard disks.
Is it possible to recover data from dead hard drives?
The hard drive stores and receives information using a magnetic plate. This means that there are moving parts that can damage the hard disk. The damage may be physical or logical. There are physical damage to the hard drive, and logical damage associated with hard disk software problems.
In addition to these effects, viruses and malware can also destroy a hard drive by attacking or formatting its data. Data recovery software can help to recover data from mechanically damaged or virus-infected hard drives.
Data recovery software can also retrieve information from a slightly damaged hard drive without causing any further damage. However, if the hard drive is significantly corrupted or completely dead and cannot be recognised, it is best to contact a professional disk recovery service.
Signal of a failed hard drive
There are various reasons why a hard drive may fail, including problems with power supply, poor ventilation, incorrect operating system installation, and voltage problems. While it is impossible to prevent all of these factors. It is possible to identify a failure of the hard drive signal and take appropriate action to protect your data.
Physical signs of hard drive damage include abnormal clicks and vibrations, excessive heat, rotation, motor failure to boot, blue screen errors and common error messages.
Reasonable signals of hard drive damage, including missing files and folders, failed to boot the operating system, system failure and disk error, text, common errors and SMART showing problems.
Three ways to recover files from dead hard drives
If your hard drive is mechanically damaged and is about to fail, there are several ways you can try to recover your data. If the hard drive is severely damaged, a competent data recovery agency should be contacted.
Before trying data recovery, stop using damaged or dead hard drives as soon as you notice them. Overwriting lost data may permanently remove it. Preventing loss requires quick action.
Method 1: Use WinfrGUI to retrieve information from corrupted hard drive [recommended]
A robust data recovery program for corrupted hard disks is WinfrGUI, a data recovery freeware. It recovers lost or inaccessible data from storage devices, including trashed files, and works with Windows 10 and 11.
Steps to recover data with WinfrGUI:
Connect the corrupt hard disk to Windows 10 or 11 and verify recognition.
Start WinfrGUI and choose recovery.
Select the destination hard drive in WinfrGUI to begin scanning. It scans damaged disks for recoverable data using a strong algorithm.
WinfrGUI displays recovered files after scanning. You can verify data completeness and relevancy with this feature.
Select the file you wish to recover and follow WinfrGUI's simple instructions to finish searching.
WinfrGUI makes the wrist data recovery from failed hard drive process easier. It combines easy-to-use features with powerful scanning capabilities. Whether you're dealing with internal or external hard drives or NAS systems. Winfr GUI aims to help Windows 10 and 11 users recover lost data for free.
Method 2: Check the recycling tank.
If your hard drive is damaged or dead, it may delete files and folders without your consent. So if you notice that your files are missing from the damaged hard drive, it's worth checking the recycling tank.
To recover data from a recycling tank, follow these steps:
Open the recycling tank from your desktop.
Find the files you want to recover.
Right-click on the file and select "Restore" to restore deleted files to their original location. If you want to recover your files to a different location, you can click and drag delete files to the desired destination.
Method 3: Upgrade from previous backup
If you backed up your hard drive before it was damaged, you can recover your data from a backup. Windows users often use the file history feature to back up and recover their data.
The file history tracks any changes made to your hard drive data. It allows you to recover each file instead of the entire contents of your hard disk. Follow these steps to restore data from the file history:
Open the settings on your computer.
Scroll down to the "Updates & Security" section and click "Backup" in the left menu.
In the "Backup with File History" section, click "Additional Options".
In the pop-up window, click "Recover File from Current Backup".
Select the file you want to recover from damaged or dead hard drive.
Once you have selected all the files you want, click on the "Restore" button. Another way you can right-click the "Reset" button and select "Return to..." To specify a new location for the recovered data.
Is it possible to repair dead or damaged hard drives at home?
After considering how to recover data, the question arises: What can you do with damaged hard drives? If the hard drive is physically damaged, the only option for repair is to seek help from a professional service. However, there is no guarantee of a successful recovery. On the other hand, if the damage is minor or caused by locking problems, there are some ways you can try at home to restore the functionality of your hard drive.
Method 1: Use Windows System File Checker to repair dead hard drives.
When a hard drive is broken or poorly developed, it may fail. In such cases, the Windows System File Checker (SFC) can be used to scan hard drives, find corrupted system files and restore them. In order to repair corrupted hard drive using the Windows SFC tool, follow these steps:
Click Windows + X to open the Windows menu and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)"
Enter the following command and press Enter: dism.exe/online/Cleanup-image/Restorehealth
Once the file needed to fix the damage has been restored, type the command "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.
The scan will identify and replace corrupted system files.
Method 2: Scan and repair dead hard drives using command instructions. (CMD)
A corrupted or dead hard disk can be repaired with "chkdsk" through the command line. This tool scans and fixes corrupt and failing hard drives in minutes. Due to the lack of a graphical interface, follow these procedures to scan and repair corrupted hard disks using "chKdsk":
Click on the Windows button and search for "CMD".
Click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator".
In the command window, type the following command: "chkdsk : / f" (replace "" with the drive letter assigned to your damaged hard disk).
chkdsk - CheckDisk command will scan the corrupted hard drive and detect any problems.
/f - Command to fix errors in damaged or dead hard drive
Method 3: Seek expert help for severe physical injury.
If you have exhausted all other options for repairing a damaged or dead hard drive without success, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service. Trying to repair DIY on a hard drive that is severely physically damaged may result in additional data loss. It is best to rely on professional expertise and equipment in such situations.
Also, if your hard drive is physically damaged, do not try to recover data on your own to prevent data loss permanently. Instead, contact professional services immediately and let them handle the recovery process.
Conclusion
If you have strange noise, heat, boot problems or error messages, your hard drive may die or be damaged. Dead or damaged hard drives often lead to data loss. Fortunately, you
can recover data from corrupted hard drive regardless of whether you have a backup or not.
