Losing data from a dropped external hard drive can be devastating. As someone who has experienced this firsthand, I wanted to provide a comprehensive guide on the options available for attempting to recover lost data from a damaged external hard drive.
Assessing the Damage
The first step is to assess the extent of the damage caused by physically dropping the external hard drive.
-
Is the external hard drive still being recognized by your computer when plugged in? Or does it fail to show up entirely?
-
Are there any noticeable signs of external damage like dents, cracks, or loose parts? Severe physical damage increases the likelihood of internal component failure.
-
When you plug the external drive in, do you hear any unusual sounds like clicking, grinding, buzzing or beeping? Abnormal noises often indicate a mechanical failure.
-
Is the drive still spinning/powering on? You can usually feel or hear the platters spinning when plugged in. If it’s not spinning, the drop may have damaged the drive’s PCB (printed circuit board) or internal power mechanisms.
Documenting any visible signs of damage or unusual behavior can help narrow down the cause of failure when speaking to data recovery pros.
Attempting DIY Data Recovery
Before resorting to professional data recovery services, there are a few DIY troubleshooting steps you can try:
Software Solutions
-
Try disk utilities: Software like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery may be able to recover data from external drives with minor logical failures or corrupt partitions.
-
Check Disk Management: Open “Disk Management” on Windows or “Disk Utility” on Mac to see if the drive is showing up. You may be able to reformat it to temporarily access files, but don’t save anything new or you’ll overwrite data!
-
Try a different USB cable/port: A faulty cable or connection could potentially prevent the drive from communicating properly with your computer. Swap cables and ports first before assuming the drive itself is faulty.
-
Remove the drive from its enclosure: As a last resort, you can crack open the external drive enclosure to extract the internal drive and connect it directly to your computer. But this risks further damage if not done properly.
Caution! Don’t:
-
Try “fixing” the external drive without rescuing your files first! Recovery should be your priority.
-
Open up the drive or expose the internal components unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Mishandling can make physical damage exponentially worse.
-
Keep trying to access the drive if you hear strange noises. This risks scratching the platters and destroying your data for good. Your best bet is to power everything down and contact the pros.
Professional Data Recovery Services
If you have extremely valuable or irreplaceable data stored on the damaged external drive, your best chance lies with professional data recovery experts. Here’s what to expect:
Data Recovery Process
-
You’ll ship the damaged drive to a reputable data recovery company like DriveSavers or Ontrack. Handle the drive carefully to avoid any further damage in transit.
-
The engineers will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the cause and extent of damage. This diagnostic step is crucial.
-
If repairable, they will take extreme precautions to safely extract the internal drive and repair/replace damaged components on the PCB.
-
Next, they will attempt to image the drive while compensating for electrical or mechanical issues. This cloned image preserves the integrity of the original data.
-
Data will be recovered from the imaged drive copy and transferred to a new, healthy drive that they provide.
-
The recovered data drive is then shipped back to you on encrypted media for security.
Recovery Rates and Costs
-
Recovery rates: Professional firms claim average recovery rates between 85-95% depending on the drive conditions. But there are no guarantees.
-
Cost: Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $3000+ based on the drive size, damage levels, and desired turnaround time. Expedited services tend to cost more.
-
Worth it: Weigh the cost against the value of your irreplaceable data. For many, the peace of mind is well worth the investment into professional recovery.
Finding A Reputable Company
-
Search for “data recovery services” near you and look for specialists with strong client reviews. Beware of scams.
-
Ask about their experience with your specific drive brand and model. Specific expertise improves chances.
-
Inquire about costs, transparency of pricing, and guarantees. Get quotes from multiple providers.
-
Check if they offer free evaluations so you can confirm the data is recoverable before paying.
With the right precautions, there’s a good chance of recovering lost external hard drive data. But time is critical, so don’t delay in taking the appropriate steps. In many cases, professional help offers the most complete data recovery results. Just be sure to do your research to find a top-rated provider you can trust. With their specialized tools and techniques, you stand the best chance of getting your valuable data back intact.
