The fall of a storage device can cause a great deal of damage. Indeed, when your drive falls, it may no longer function normally, and this can cause the loss of your data. This is the ideal moment to recover the files from your dropped hard drive. You should not think the situation is nothing to worry about, even if your storage device still appears to work. At any moment, it could stop working and you could find yourself in a real bind !
Dropped hard drive : some consequences
Has your hard drive fallen and you can no longer access your data ? The consequences of such a fall are generally serious, because it affects the internal components of the storage device.
Damaged platters
When a storage device falls, the internal platters break and become defective, especially if they are made of glass. As a result, it becomes impossible to recover the data that was stored on them. That is why it is always recommended to back up your files on several storage devices. This way, you will be able to recover them if your main device fails.
Read head crash
This can happen at any time, even when your hard drive has not been dropped. However, it is common in the event of a fall. During a crash, the read heads unfortunately land on the platters, specifically on the data reading area. As a result, this makes all types of files stored on the device inaccessible.
Deformation of the read heads
Another consequence of a dropped hard drive is the deformation of the read heads. Such a situation can cause serious damage : scratches, crashes and other impacts that can lead to read errors or even permanent data loss and the impossibility of recovering it.
Motor seizing and jamming
When your hard drive has been dropped, the internal motor can seize or jam. In the first case (seizing), this happens when the motor rotor shifts and loses its central axis relative to the stator. As a result, it turns or rotates in the opposite direction, which causes the rotor and stator magnetic fields to oppose each other.
In the second case (jamming), this happens when there is a read head crash onto the platters. As a result, the heads slow down the motor, which becomes trapped between the read heads.
Data recovery in the event of a dropped hard drive
Dropped hard drive : how to recover the data ? If you find yourself in this situation, several solutions are available to you. Here is what you can do :
Check the condition of your hard drive
If your hard drive has been dropped, you should first check the condition of your device, to make sure it still works. If it is an external drive, it is likely protected by an enclosure. Most of the time, it is the enclosure that causes the device to fail, not the drive itself. You can plug it into your PC to test whether it works. In this case, file recovery is entirely possible. The simplest option is to use the French software smart disk checker, which will give you a health status report for the hard drive.
Do not use the storage device
How can you recover data from a dropped hard drive ? Once you have tested your storage device, unplug it, even if it works. Preserving it this way increases the chances of a successful recovery.
Moreover, if you notice it is making a strange noise, we also recommend not using it and not performing any write operations.
Formatting your storage device should also be avoided. In addition to the fault your drive has already suffered, which makes restoration difficult, this action could worsen the consequences.
Always perform useful backups
We always recommend backing up your data regularly. For example, if you have made PST backups of your files, even if the original data is corrupted due to a dropped hard drive, recovery will be easier from the backups you have made.
Do not use recovery software
Dropped hard drive : how to recover the data ? If you have not made any backups beforehand, you should call on a competent professional or laboratory. We do not recommend using recovery software.
Indeed, the fault your storage device has suffered is mechanical or physical in nature. It is therefore important to make sure that all the internal components are properly in place before proceeding with file restoration. Only opening the device in question can determine the outcome of the procedure to follow.
Contact data recovery professionals
The best solution for restoring data from a dropped hard drive, is to call on professionals. To recover your files, they open up your device. This is automatically done in a cleanroom, a space specially designed for such a procedure. The opening takes place in this room because it is well equipped and, above all, free of dust and particles that could further damage your device.
Following a dropped hard drive, call on professionals. After their assessment and diagnosis, they will offer you the best techniques and appropriate treatments.