Overview: When External Drives Fail, Deadlines Are at Risk
For motion designers and creatives, losing access to project files can halt progress instantly. One San Francisco-based motion designer experienced this firsthand when her 4TB G-Drive Mobile suddenly failed to mount, putting six months of unrecoverable work in jeopardy a case that called for professional external hard drive recovery.
This recovery case outlines how PITS Data Recovery rescued her irreplaceable files and ensured her project timelines stayed intact.
Case Background: 4TB G-Drive Mobile Failure in the Middle of a Project
The designer’s workflow relied on regularly transferring files from her MacBook Pro to the G-Drive Mobile, and then using those files for post-production and final rendering. But during a routine session, her MacBook failed to recognize the drive, prompting the need for MacBook data recovery.
- Device: G-Drive Mobile USB-C, 4TB
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Issue: Drive not mounting, inaccessible on all devices
- Data at Risk: Six months of motion design projects
With no backup available, the designer turned to online research and found PITS Data Recovery.
Initial Contact and Emergency Shipping
Recognizing the urgency, our support team responded within minutes of her call. We immediately:
- Reassured her of the recovery possibilities
- Provided a prepaid overnight shipping label
- Received the drive at our Los Angeles lab the next day
Evaluation: Diagnosis of the 4TB G-Drive Mobile in Cleanroom Lab
Our engineers began with a non-invasive evaluation in our certified cleanroom environment:
- Removed the drive from its enclosure
- Performed a diagnostic headmap using specialized software
- Identified multiple bad sectors in the Master File Table (MFT)
- Confirmed physical read failure on Head 0
These findings revealed both logical and physical damage, requiring expert-level repair and file system reconstruction.
Data Recovery Process: Physical Repair and Imaging
Once the client approved the quote, we initiated the recovery:
- Clone Creation
The drive was cloned to a secure disk to protect the original data from further degradation. - Head Replacement
Faulty Head 0 was replaced using compatible donor parts in a cleanroom environment. - File System Repair
The MFT was rebuilt using advanced recovery tools, allowing us to reconstruct the file system and extract user data. - Data Extraction
Project files were successfully extracted and transferred to a new external drive.
Remote File Verification: Confirming Successful Recovery
Before final delivery, we scheduled a remote verification session with the client to confirm:
- File accessibility and structure
- Integrity of motion design project files
- Presence of all critical content
The client verified that all data was intact and accurate, providing peace of mind and full recovery confirmation.
Final Outcome: Project Files Recovered, Deadline Secured
The designer’s files were fully recovered, allowing her to continue working and meet her deadlines without interruption.
- 100% file recovery
- Same-week turnaround
- Verified data integrity and structure
Why Choose PITS for External Drive Recovery?
- ISO-Certified Cleanroom Facilities
- Expertise in Mac-compatible file systems
- Free diagnostics and prepaid shipping
- Responsive customer support
Need Help with a Failed G-Drive?
If your G-Drive Mobile won’t mount or your Mac doesn’t detect your external drive, act quickly. The earlier you reach out, the better the recovery results.
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