Losing data from your hard drive can be devastating. Important files like family photos, financial documents, or creative projects may seem unrecoverable. But there are options for getting back lost or deleted files from both internal and external hard drives. This guide will walk you through some quick answers to common questions about data recovery, and provide detailed options on where to turn to retrieve your data.
Quick Answers
How do I recover files from an external hard drive?
If files have been deleted or lost from an external hard drive, recovery software is the best option. Software like Disk Drill or Stellar Data Recovery can scan the external drive and restore data that has been deleted but not yet overwritten. Turn to a data recovery service if DIY software can’t restore the files.
Can lost data be recovered from a crashed hard drive?
Yes, data can be recovered from a crashed internal or external hard drive as long as the drive platters are still intact. A data recovery specialist has the tools to access data on non-functioning drives. Clean room facilities allow them to safely extract data from the platters.
Is it possible to recover data after a factory reset?
It is very difficult to recover data from a hard drive after a factory reset. This process erases files completely. However, with advanced forensic data recovery methods, some data may still be retrievable if it was not overwritten on the drive.
Can files be recovered after reformatting a hard drive?
Reformatting a hard drive erases all its data, making recovery difficult. However, if reformatting only changed the file system structure and file data has not yet been overwritten, recovery software or services may be able to restore some files.
What if I don’t know what caused my data loss?
The cause of data loss does not necessarily matter for recovery. Whether it was an accidental format, virus, or physical damage, recovery specialists have the tools and techniques to salvage data from drives with unknown issues.
DIY Data Recovery Options
When facing data loss from a hard drive, the first step is often to try using data recovery software or tools on your own before turning to a professional. Here are some do-it-yourself options for retrieving lost files from hard drives:
Data Recovery Software
Data recovery software provides an easy solution for retrieving deleted files that have not yet been overwritten on a drive. Options like Disk Drill and Stellar Data Recovery offer user-friendly interfaces and scanning features to find and restore lost images, documents, videos, and other file types. The best software can recover data after accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, or even limited physical damage to a drive.
Drive Manufacturers’ Tools
Some hard drive manufacturers like Seagate, Western Digital, and Toshiba offer their own data recovery utilities. These are often free and user-friendly options worth trying, though their capabilities may be limited compared to paid recovery software.
Using a Linux Live CD/USB
Booting a computer from a Linux live CD or USB drive provides a simple do-it-yourself data recovery option. This allows accessing the hard drive to copy recovered files to an external drive. Popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu have built-in tools like PhotoRec and DiskDigger to restore deleted files.
Removing and Connecting the Hard Drive
In some cases of drive failure, removing the hard drive and connecting it externally, such as in a USB enclosure, can provide access to retrieve files. This allows connecting the drive to another working computer and running data recovery software or tools.
Professional Data Recovery Services
For more serious cases of hard drive data loss, turning to a professional recovery company may be necessary. Specialists have access to advanced tools and clean room facilities to perform hard drive repair and extraction of data that consumer software cannot recover.
Logical Recovery
Logical data recovery involves repairing the file system corruption through rebuilding directories, tables, and folders. This allows accessible files to be copied from the drive to retrieve recoverable data.
Physical Recovery
Physical recovery is needed when mechanical or physical issues prevent a drive from being accessed through logical repair. Clean room facilities allow data recovery engineers to open drives and access platters to extract raw data.
Forensic Data Recovery
Forensic recovery uses specialized techniques to retrieve data after intentional deletion, drive formatting, or damage. This can retrieve some data even from drives that appear completely erased or unrecoverable.
Other Advanced Recovery Techniques
Companies may also utilize RAID recovery, tape cartridge recovery, virtual machine recovery, and other advanced methods tailored to specific situations of severe data loss.
Finding a Reputable Service
When choosing a professional data recovery company, look for experience, qualifications, security, and customer service. Avoid companies that ask for upfront payment or guarantee results. A free evaluation and no-data, no-charge policy offer assurance.
Top Hard Drive Data Recovery Services
Below are some top-rated data recovery companies providing services worldwide:
| Company | Highlights |
| DriveSavers | – Over 30 years experience – ISO-4 cleanroom facility – Fast turnaround |
| Gillware | – No-charge guarantee – Free shipping – Rates from $599-$2499 |
| Secure Data Recovery | – Free evaluation – 97% success rate – Expedited services available |
| Ontrack | – ISO-certified cleanrooms – 90%+ success rate – Remote diagnostics |
These companies and others like them have long track records of successfully recovering data from failed or damaged hard drives of all types, including laptop and desktop internal drives as well as external hard drives.
Questions to Ask Prospective Data Recovery Services
To find the best company for your specific data recovery needs, ask targeted questions like:
What types of drives do you have experience recovering data from?
Look for expertise with common drive types from major manufacturers as well as experience with SSDs, RAID systems, external drives, and other devices.
What recovery methods and tools do you use?
Tools may range from software to hardware solutions like specialized imagers and clean room facilities. Look for capabilities suited to logical, physical, and forensic recovery.
How quickly can you perform an evaluation?
Faster turnaround means less downtime without your drive. Look for next-business-day evaluation as a baseline.
What does the process look like step-by-step?
Understanding the full recovery workflow helps set proper expectations. This includes shipping, diagnosis, file extraction, and drive return.
Do you have security measures in place?
Data privacy is critical. Reputable providers use encryption, restricted access, non-disclosure agreements, and other security controls.
What are your rates and payment policies?
Avoid any upfront fees. Costs should only apply if data is successfully recovered. Free shipping is also ideal.
Do you have customer references I can contact?
Speaking to past clients offers the best insight into service quality and success rates.
Tips to Avoid Needing Data Recovery
While data recovery services can rescue files in dire situations, prevention is always preferable. Follow these tips to avoid potential data loss:
- Maintain backups of critical data in the cloud or external drives.
- Handle hard drives carefully to avoid physical damage.
- Keep anti-virus software updated to prevent malware corruption.
- Avoid turning off drives during formatting or data transfer.
- Only delete files when absolutely certain they are unneeded.
- Watch for signs of drive failure like strange noises.
What to Do if Data is Already Lost
In the event critical data is already missing from a malfunctioning hard drive:
- Stop using the drive to prevent further data overwriting.
- Do not attempt drive repair yourself if you lack expertise.
- Find a specialist for recovery right away for best results.
- Provide details like drive type, events preceding loss, value of data.
- Follow all packing guidelines when shipping drive.
Conclusion
Recovering lost files or inaccessible data from a damaged hard drive is possible with the right tools and techniques. While do-it-yourself software provides an option for basic file recovery, turning to professional data recovery services offers the best hope for more complex cases with mechanical damage or erased drives. Top providers have decades of experience retrieving user data from all types of failed drives. By asking the right questions and choosing a specialist with security controls and a proven success rate, you can get back your lost files and restore access to critical data.