Recovery software is capable of recovering accidentally deleted files if the hard drive is still healthy. However, when using recovery software on a hard drive that is already failing, it may result in rendering the data irretrievable. Here is how to identify which type of situation exists prior to risking your chances with recovery software.
If you have simply deleted an item, and the health status of the hard drive remains intact, then there is no reason why recovery software will not assist. However, if the drive begins making audible sounds while operating such as clicking, slows down considerably or is completely undetected, do not use recovery software. In this case, all that recovery software would accomplish is to render the last viable opportunity for successful recovery unusable. Get assistance from someone who specialises in data recovery immediately.
Let's cut through the jargon: data recovery programs work. In certain instances, a data recovery program is the perfect solution to the task. Your job is to determine whether you're dealing with an issue with your software, i.e., deleting a file, formatting a partition, or corrupting a file system on what appears to be a perfectly good hard drive. Or whether you're experiencing issues with your hardware, i.e., a clicking noise, a drive that isn't detected, a physically damaged component, or water damage. As stated above, a data recovery program is designed to address issues related to the former. When used on a failed drive, it poses a real threat to whatever remaining chance(s) you might have of recovering your lost information. Don't confuse these two types of problems.
When using data recovery software on a healthy hard drive where your loss occurred at the application layer (i.e., you've deleted a file), there's absolutely no need to spend money on a professional service. There are many reputable data recovery tools available that cost little-to-nothing.
The classic case. You've deleted something by accident and you've emptied the recycle bin on a healthy hard drive. A number of very reputable data recovery tools including Recuva or PhotoRec will easily restore this lost data.
You formatted the wrong drive, or you lost a partition, but the drive itself works. In many cases, software will allow you to recreate the structure and recover your files.
Your drive shows up as RAW or gives error messages, however, the drive spins up perfectly well and is recognised by your computer. This indicates that there was probably nothing wrong with the data, other than the file system that broke down and software can fix this.
Your drive is good (recognised, silent, etc.) and has no SMART warning. The issue is a logic problem. Logic problems are where software comes in.
When you have a physically failing drive, software is not neutral. As soon as you run software, the drive is forced to continue working. If that drive is failing mechanically, running software may cause irreversible damage.
A clicking, grinding or beeping noise from your drive indicates a mechanical failure. Running software against a failed head will cause further damage to those heads as they move around across the platter. This is probably the absolute worst place to run your software.
Either a faulty piece of hardware or a problem in the firmware prevents the software from accessing and attempting to read the drive. As such, each attempt at scanning the drive weakens a still-failing (and weak) drive.
The presence of "reallocated" or "pending" sectors indicates physical deterioration of the drive. Scanning the entire drive is a risk to your data.
Either physical damage that the software cannot access/attempt to repair, or a RAID configuration; a single misstep in this type of configuration can cause "bad parity" which then renders all drives within the RAID irrecoverable. This is generally outside of most users' experience level.
Most users can quickly identify whether they are experiencing hardware failure (which requires specialist intervention) by performing just two checks. Check number one is to listen carefully: if you hear any clicks/grind/beeps while using the computer, you should immediately stop and do not allow the software to continue to stress the failing drive mechanically. Check number two is to check the SMART status of the drive. There are many free tools available for both Windows (CrystalDiskInfo) and Macs (DriveDx) to run a simple check on the SMART status of a drive. If the SMART status indicates “caution” or “bad,” or lists any sectors as having been reallocated, treat the drive as physically failing and do not perform a scan. However, if the SMART status reports no issues and there has been no physical indication of failure (i.e., the drive has made no noise), and the issue appears to be due to some sort of logic error, a first step would be to use software to recover any lost files.
Better software isn’t what this is: it’s an alternative way of handling the drive. And it does just the opposite of running a scan on a dying drive.
We're creating an exact copy of the drive using read-only cloning methods. Then, when working with the copy, there are no threats made against the integrity of the original. This is the complete opposite of attempting to run diagnostics or other software while it has been placed into "live" mode on a dying drive.
Board and firmware work, as well as replacing heads: restoring drives which cannot be accessed by software at all due to their failure to communicate properly with the drive.
The bench equipment will interface with failing hard-drives, SSD controllers and RAID sets in ways that regular consumers' software can't. Additionally, our team has the experience and understanding of multiple types of file systems as well as arrays for proper re-assembly of the final product.
If we feel like your issue could have been resolved using a piece of free software then we will let you know. In fact, we'd rather tell you to save your money than attempt to solve your problem ourselves.
What do people ask us most regarding recovery using their own software versus using our professional services?
No on a healthy drive; it only reads. Yes possibly on an unhealthy drive; scanning a dying drive will force it to use energy and this may result in permanent data loss. Check for noises and/or SMART before attempting to scan the drive and don't scan if the noise is present or if the drive has a SMART error.
Yes quite often. However, it's usually easier to get back your files after stopping immediately and sending the drive in, as opposed to running additional programs. In many cases, we'll be able to recover your data even after a failed program attempt. Just don't continue with multiple attempts.
Many of the free programs will suffice for recovering logically damaged drives. The paid versions offer additional convenience such as creating a disk image. However, none of these programs will recover a physically damaged drive. It isn't possible to "fix" a hardware issue via licensing.
At any time when the drive becomes noisy, undetectable, drops, gets wet or is used within a RAID system, and at any time when the information contained on the drive is truly priceless. In these cases, simply go ahead with diagnostics instead of risking further damage by scanning the drive.
The lowest price for single drives is £300 + VAT, while prices for memory cards and USB sticks begin at £250 + VAT, and prices for RAID or servers start at £500 + VAT. The diagnostic is free, and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data.
Yes, in the correct instance. If you’ve simply deleted files off of a working drive, or lost a partition, then there are some very good pieces of software out there that really do recover your files. However, when the issue lies in the actual hardware, i.e., a drive that is making loud noises (clicking), has been dropped, doesn’t show up as detected, etc., no piece of software can “reach” into the hardware issue, and running scans over a failing drive does make things worse. Our guide to free recovery software explains which programs provide the best solution based upon the nature of the failure.
The act of performing a scan alone deletes nothing: it reads and does not write. Harm occurs due to options associated with the scan process; installing the product to the failed drive, writing the restored files back onto the failed drive, etc.; and/or forcing a failing drive through repeated passes. One simple rule: never write to the original/failed drive during an attempt, and the cost of trying is minimal.
If the drive appears to be functioning properly and quiet, and assuming you're looking to recover deleted files, software should likely meet your needs. If the drive is noisy, unresponsive, or contains critical information you can't replace, send it our way: we will perform a complimentary diagnosis and let you know exactly how much of a repair it will require.