A school in Belfast contacted Belfast Data Recovery after their LaCie d2 external hard drive was accidentally formatted by their secretary. The reported issues included:
- The drive was mistakenly formatted, resulting in the loss of critical school files.
- All folders and files appeared to be gone, but the drive was still accessible.
- The LaCie d2 contained important school documents, student records, lesson plans, and administrative files.
- No backup was available, making professional data recovery essential.
Since accidental formatting does not immediately erase data (it mainly removes file system references), a forensic-level recovery approach was required.
Our Expertise in LaCie d2 Hard Drive Recovery
With 25 years of experience, Belfast Data Recovery specialises in:
✔ Recovering data from formatted and accidentally deleted hard drives
✔ Forensic partition and file system reconstruction
✔ Advanced data recovery using Acelabs PC3000, RapidSpar, DFL-SRP, DeepSpar imaging, and Atola Insight Forensic tools
Diagnosis & Recovery Process
Upon receiving the LaCie d2 external hard drive, our engineers conducted a detailed forensic assessment. The key findings included:
- The drive was functional, but all previous data was hidden due to accidental formatting.
- The file system had been replaced, but no major data overwrites had occurred.
- Deleted files were still recoverable, meaning high success rates were expected.
To successfully recover the school’s lost data, we implemented a multi-step forensic data recovery strategy:
Step 1: Drive Cloning & Data Preservation
- Used DeepSpar Disk Imager to create a sector-by-sector forensic clone, preventing further data loss.
- Applied read-only recovery techniques to avoid overwriting any recoverable data.
Step 2: File System Reconstruction & Metadata Recovery
- Used Acelabs PC3000 & Atola Insight Forensic tools to scan and recover original NTFS file system metadata.
- Rebuilt lost partition structures to regain access to missing directories.
Step 3: Deep File Scanning & Data Extraction
- Scanned for all deleted files using advanced forensic recovery software.
- Extracted and validated lesson plans, student records, and administrative documents.
Step 4: Secure Data Transfer & Prevention Recommendations
- Conducted final validation checks to confirm all recovered files were intact.
- Successfully transferred the restored data to a secure external SSD, formatted for school use.
- Provided guidance on automated backups and school data protection best practices.
The Result
We successfully recovered 99.3% of the school’s lost files, including:
✅ Student records, lesson plans, and curriculum files
✅ Administrative documents, teacher resources, and financial reports
✅ Archived emails, reports, and scheduling information
The school was able to restore all critical data and continue operations without disruption.
Why Choose Belfast Data Recovery for LaCie d2 Hard Drive Recovery?
✅ 25 Years of Expertise – Specialists in accidental file deletion & formatted drive recovery.
✅ Forensic File Reconstruction – Advanced techniques for restoring lost partitions and metadata.
✅ Fast & Secure Process – Ensuring complete confidentiality and successful recovery.
If your LaCie d2 hard drive has been accidentally formatted or files have been deleted, contact Belfast Data Recovery today for expert data recovery services!