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We received an interesting case on our workbench: a compact industrial computer used as a control unit for a production line. Its system drive had failed, and because it ran Windows Embedded Standard 7, which could no longer boot, the machine came to a complete halt. The control application could not start, and production stopped.

Modern SSDs are lightning fast. Yet where their speed is an advantage, the TRIM and Garbage Collection functions can be surprisingly slower — fortunately for a desperate user who has just lost data. Until recently, it was believed that once an SSD was deleted or formatted, the chances of data recovery were practically zero. TRIM and Garbage Collection were thought to immediately “clean” all cells that contained data prior to deletion. However, as shown by findings presented at this year’s Techweek 2025, the reality is far more interesting.

NAS – network storage devices – are now a common part of households and small businesses. They serve as central storage, backup, and even multimedia libraries. Although they provide a certain level of security thanks to RAID arrays, situations can still arise when all data suddenly becomes unavailable. That is exactly what happened to a user of this Netgear NAS.

HDD diagnostic is a crucial step before any disk recovery. It shows whether a drive can be safely read and helps determine the right recovery method to minimize the risk of permanent data loss and maximize the chances of successful disk recovery.

Some form of electronic failure (PCB) in hard drives is not uncommon. The problem may lie in the PCB itself, it can be caused by user-induced mechanical damage, or it may involve a combination of issues where the PCB isn't the main culprit, but its technological intricacies still need to be navigated. This particular drive required PCB modifications; fortunately, the data platters and read/write heads were intact.

When switching to a new mobile phone, some users transfer and back up their data immediately. Others postpone this step for various reasons, leaving the old device stored away until the "right" time arrives. This was exactly the scenario with this Lenovo phone.

For successful data recovery from an SSD, it is crucial that the memory chips are intact and the device controller is functioning correctly. One of the most critical complications with SSDs is the failure of their controller, which ensures communication between the memory chips and the computer (or other device). If the controller fails, recovering data from such an SSD can be very challenging – and with SandForce controllers, often impossible.

2025 is here, bringing new challenges, opportunities, and moments worth cherishing. In times when rush and stress often overwhelm us, it’s important to focus on what truly matters – peace, tranquility, and mutual harmony. Whether it’s moments spent with family, friends, or the simple feeling of certainty and balance, these are the foundations of a truly fulfilling life. We wish you a year full of peaceful days, joy, and good health.

The Toshiba external hard drive served as additional storage for several years before it spontaneously failed. However, with external drives, it is impossible to completely rule out the possibility that an accidental drop or impact may have contributed to the issue. Fortunately, there was no evidence of extensive mechanical damage to the read heads or data platters, and the disk could be partially initialized. However, the data was only partially accessible, so it was essential to choose the correct procedure from the very beginning.

A WD external drive was used years ago for backing up important data and then forgotten in a drawer. Over time, this backup became the only existing version of the data. Years later, the user needed to access the data again, but the hard drive thwarted their plans. After connecting, it did nothing. The issue could have been caused by the external power these drives require, but it could also be a more complex problem involving the internal drive. In this case, it was a combination of electronic failure and surface damage to the data platters, specifically affecting one of the disk’s magnetic heads.