No one is safe from losing access to their files on a storage device, even with Buffalo-branded equipment. Unfortunately, this kind of trouble is relatively common. Very often, it happens at the worst possible moment. Yet, this data is important and recovering it is crucial. This article gives you some advice.
The main causes of data loss and recovery solutions
Buffalo makes excellent equipment, but all storage devices, whatever they may be, have weak points. Traditional hard drives, for example, have mechanical parts that make them fragile if you plan to use them over the long term.
A fault in accessing stored files can have two origins: a software cause or a hardware cause. In the software domain, cases of data loss essentially fall into:
- Damage caused by the presence of viruses or malicious hacking;
- Failures of the internal system managing the information;
- Human handling errors resulting in accidental deletion.
As for the hardware domain, the main issues are mechanical (or electromechanical):
- Accidental tearing off of a connector during use;
- A power failure that may have damaged the electronic board;
- An incident occurring in the room where the storage device is located;
- An unexpected fall of the equipment resulting in physical damage.
The good news is that, in most of these cases, the damage is not irreparable. Very often, it is the access path that is corrupted, but the data itself is intact. It is therefore possible to recover it.
For the simplest cases, the files can be recovered using specialized data recovery software. In other cases, it is enough to call on a professional.
Be careful not to make desperate attempts at data recovery
Whether you have a simple Buffalo external hard drive or a more sophisticated Buffalo NAS solution configured or not with RAID systems, it is important to only attempt rescue operations if you know exactly what you are doing.
Any operation to open the casing of your Buffalo equipment should be avoided. Exposing the sensitive parts of your equipment to open air and ambient humidity can cause irreversible damage and your files will be permanently lost.
Likewise, if attempts at restoration with specialized software do not achieve a satisfactory result, it is strongly discouraged, unless you are an expert yourself, to “tinker” with the system settings, at the risk of causing even more damage than the original file access problem.
Follow a careful approach to recover your Buffalo’s data
In all cases, it is advisable to follow a cautious and progressive protocol to try to resolve the issue and have a chance of successfully recovering your data. There are mainly three steps to follow.
First, once the failure has been noticed, you should avoid continuing to work with the faulty equipment (if it is still partially usable). Because, as a reminder, the information is probably still intact and available for full recovery, so you must not risk overwriting it with other data. However, you can carry out all the basic checks to, if you’re lucky, find an immediate fix:
- Check the recycle bin, automatic backup, or temporary “cache” files;
- Search the Buffalo documentation for common failures and fixes;
- Otherwise, first identify whether it is a hardware or software problem.
After these initial efforts, the next step is to move on to data recovery software. There are free programs that can solve extremely simple cases, otherwise paid software (from a few dozen to a few hundred euros for the most effective ones) can be very effective for simple cases.
Finally, if this still does not produce a convincing result, as a last resort, there remains the option of turning to a professional laboratory such as Chronodisk. Their data recovery service is able to work directly inside the Buffalo equipment within the secure environment of a cleanroom. Depending on the amount recovered, the recovered data is then provided either by sending a new external drive, or by making the files available for download. By going through such a service, the probability of getting your files back is around 70 to 80%, and depending on the type of media, sometimes even 90%. In conclusion, if you wish to proceed with the recovery of your data, turn to a professional. Chronodisk collects your Buffalo device free of charge, then, after analysis, provides you with a no-obligation quote. For you, this is the assurance of giving yourself the best chance of recovering your precious information for a fixed price within a limited timeframe that can range from 24 hours to a few days. So all that’s left is to book an appointment or click on the quote button and all you’ll have left to do is count the days with the good hope of recovering your files!