While loss of external hard drives is not uncommon but many users are not prepared with what should be done in the case of their hard drive is destroyed or is damaged.
Any storage device with a physical component is vulnerable to physical damage or technical errors External hard drives are not an exception. Recovery of hard drives poses a different problem: the ability to restore all of the data that was lost depends on the severity of damage to the disk. Retrieving data from a damaged disk requires a high level of technical expertise, but there’s no guarantee that all your data will be restored. If you’re looking for external hard drive repair or data recovery, these methods can be helpful. However, remember that the most effective method of preventing data loss is to prepare. In case you encounter another loss be prepared for the worst, and make sure you have cloud backup solutions which will ensure your data is secure and accessible regardless of what threats are threatening.
Cloud backup is a fantastic method of restoring your data in case your storage device is unusable. If, however, you own an external hard drive that has been damaged and there is no online backup there is a chance to recover data by fixing the drive. Here are some tips for external repair of the hard drive.
Replace the Enclosure
External hard drives come with an enclosure which houses the disk. This enclosure is comprised of connectors as well as the USB cable. Like the name implies “connectors” connect the hard drive with the enclosure. They are fragile and are prone to breaking particularly if they are subjected to constant drops of the external hard drive. If an external drive ceases functioning, you must remove the enclosure and examine the connectors for damage. It is easy to detect damaged connectors since the damage is obvious. The best method to tell whether the connector is experiencing problems is to test the disk with an enclosure that is different.
Modify the Circuit Board
In certain cases the circuit board could be damaged and needs replacement. If you notice burning marks on the board consider substituting it for a fresh or alternative board and check whether it functions. Only do this if you are skilled in the field and are comfortable with disassembling your device. If you don’t have this experience it is possible to cause more damage. If you are unsure, always seek out an expert.
Software Programs
There are a variety of software applications that provide solutions for hard drive repair. These software packages include diagnostic and testing tools that are essential to fix your hard disk. They can test your hard drive, and offer suggestions if you are required to replace it.
Clean Format
In certain situations your hard drive may develop a malware or virus infection that standard antivirus programs can’t fix. In this case, you will need to create a clean version of the hard drive. A clean format requires the removal of all data stored on the hard drive. Formatting the hard drive returns the original condition. In the end you’ll be able protect your hard drive and prevent it from infecting other devices that you connect it to. There’s a chance that you’ll be scared of the loss of your information, but the existence of powerful recovery tools can aid you in recovering certain data prior to reformatting. However, you must be careful about what you do with the recovered data to ensure that you don’t infect the clean formatted drive or device. When there is a risk of infection it’s best to retrieve lost data from backups instead of from the affected device. Recovering your backup data allows you to retrieve an earlier duplicate of data prior to being affected by viruses.
Professional Services
It is important to note that repair of external hard drives requires technical expertise. If you don’t have the necessary expertise for repair of hard disks it is recommended to engage the services of an expert. They will often be able to recover the data you can do on your own. They occasionally, they will be able to retrieve more than a data recovery program can. Additionally, they can give you suggestions on the most efficient method of backing up your data.
Mitigate future risk
If you’ve lost your data due because of a defective hard drive the next step following the repair of the device and regaining all data it could have should be to invest in an advanced loss prevention software, such as cloud backup.
Hard drives are vulnerable to physical damages and technical failure, theft and other risks that could cause damage or even erase the most important information.
Cloud Backup is an best solution to losing data. It’s installed on your computer(s)/laptop(s) in a few simple clicks and allows you to create copies of your entire system, along with your external hard drives. In this way, if you lose your drive, gets damaged, or lost or stolen, you can retrieve your information straight from cloud and restore it on a different device or an older (repaired) model. The other advantages cloud backups include:
Unlimited storage space
A continuous backup is created when files are added or modified
Easy, fast data recovery
Previous versions of file versions (check whether your cloud backup provider provides unlimited versions of files from the past)
Relying on software for data recovery on the internet isn’t the optimal method of maintaining and managing your data on any storage device. They’re not always able to recover all the data lost and can result in lacking important data. The best choice is to back up your data online with an efficient cloud service.
