BLOG - Technology and Curiosities

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.

The journey of this Seagate hard drive was full of hardships. After several years of service, it suffered mechanical damage, and the user lost access to the data. The user made arguably the most irresponsible attempt at data recovery by subjecting the drive to “home repair.” Fortunately, the DIY enthusiast used an appropriate method for opening the top cover of the drive, and after looking inside, realized there was nothing he could do, and carefully closed the drive again. Then, he finally turned to specialists.

The hard drive exhibited typical symptoms of read head and/or data platter failure - it clicked and shut down after a while. The failure occurred without an obvious cause - spontaneously. Western Digital hard drives are usually relatively well manageable when such an error occurs and the cause is not mechanical damage. However, it is necessary to check the condition of the data platter surfaces.

Replacing an iPhone screen might seem easy for a handy person. Unscrew a few screws, replace the screen, screw them back in, and... something snaps. An incorrect screw in the wrong place can mechanically damage the motherboard (PCB), turning a simple screen replacement into a complicated data recovery task. But how can a wrong screw mechanically damage an iPhone to such an extent that the problem seems unsolvable even for some specialized companies?

LaCie external drives are often considered a higher quality brand by users. Some look more durable, while others may seem more luxurious. For example, some of our professional photographer customers considered them a better choice based on recommendations in forums. However, the truth is that inside the stylish case lies an ordinary hard drive, and thus they suffer from the same issues. Only the drive's case might add a bit of robustness. No miraculous formula has granted LaCie drives immortality.

Many users use external hard drives for various purposes. They serve to store expendable data that we can afford to lose in case of drive failure, but also important data that should be stored in at least two copies. Neglecting backups can sometimes backfire at an inconvenient time, and the external drive fails. The age of the drive, how it is handled, and other factors can cause the drive to fail to connect. In the best-case scenario, the drive turns on, makes no unusual sounds, but the data is inaccessible. This was exactly the case here.

The system disk in the computer failed, the computer stopped booting, and the user's data became inaccessible. When connected to another computer, the SSD was reported as RAW. Initial data recovery attempts by a regular IT service were unsuccessful, prompting the user to turn to us. The main issue with the SSD was the high error rate of the memory chips, which caused the file system to collapse. By combining multiple reading and data correction methods, we were able to recover most of the data from the SSD.