Hard disk drives, used in computers and servers, have built a reputation as durable and reliable storage devices. HDDs are entrusted by users all over the world to write/read all their valuable files. However, as with any other device, hard drives are exposed to faults within the system.
The issue with a hard disk drive may occur for various reasons, usually categorized into physical and logical. One of the most common results of these failures is data corruption.
Corrupted Hard Drive - What Is It?
A hard drive is considered corrupted when data stored on it loses its initial state and becomes inaccessible. There are various warning signs that can help a user initialize whether an HDD is corrupted.
Symptoms of Corruption on a Hard Drive:
- Complete Inaccessibility of the Drive
- Slow and Unstable Performance
- Missing Files and Folders
- Blues Screen of Death (BSoD)
When noting any of these signs on your hard disk drive, treat it carefully. To understand what to do next with the device, a user should estimate what caused such a problem. There are several causes for hard drive corruption.
How Do Hard Drives Get Corrupted?
Wear and Tear
One of the most common reasons for hard drive corruption is its long performance. Within some years, the data within a hard drive degrades, resulting in its inaccessibility. It occurs regardless of whether the hard drive is operating or not. Over time, files become unreadable.
Virus Attacks and Malware
It is essential to be very careful when downloading and installing anything on your device. Inserting malware can cause severe problems, one of which is data corruption. Viruses may affect your file system and change the data to an unreadable state, so it cannot be opened.
Prevented Read/Write Process
A main goal for a user when operating with a hard drive is to deliver stable performance. Hence, when the reading or writing data process is performed, you should either wait for it to complete or safely prevent it. Interrupting it in the middle will result in hard drive corruption.
Power Failure
As we mentioned before, providing a stable environment for a hard drive is critical. A power surge or outage is a reason why the hard drive performance can be suddenly interrupted. In another case, data corruption on a hard disk drive is unavoidable.
Physical Damage
Data on a hard drive can become inaccessible after it is affected by physical damage. Dropping, water, or fire damage will result in data corruption. Therefore, we recommend regularly checking on your device and being extremely careful with it.
Rapidly Changing Temperatures
A significant increase and downfall in the temperature where a hard drive is kept can cause irreversible damage to the device. There are also many myths about freezing an HDD in a freezer, which supposedly can help restore files. In fact, it causes even more damage.
How to Recover Files from a Corrupted Hard Drive?
Data recovery from a corrupted hard drive is a complicated process. Restoration must be performed only by experienced engineers. This is the only way how maximum results can be achieved. It would help if you went through several steps to increase the chances of successful recovery.
When noting any warning signs from a hard disk drive, power it down and disconnect it from the power source. Continuing to run the media can result in more complications.
Do not try to repair the device at home, as you can significantly damage it. Replacing broken parts of the HDD will not return your valuable files either.
We also do not recommend using data recovery software on your fragile media. The risks of using the unverified program – overwriting and malware – will significantly worsen the situation.
A user may perform an evaluation at home by carefully reviewing the device. The first step of the at-home examination will be checking the physical state of a drive. By reviewing the device, you can estimate whether data corruption occurred due to physical or logical damage.
It is critical to mention that opening the drive to check its condition is not recommended. On the contrary, you will cause more damage to the HDD.
The next step is to note all the signs of data loss. All the error messages, unusual sounds, and rapid shutdowns must be considered by the user.
With all this information, a user can estimate the reason for failure. However, if the attempt is unsuccessful, entrust the evaluation to skilled engineers.
Corrupted Hard Drive Recovery with PITS
PITS Global Data Recovery Services offers hard drive users an extensive set of restoration services. Our technicians recover non-functioning, failed, encrypted, and corrupted hard disk drives achieving high success rates.
Our team performs a safe data recovery process using advanced methods. Working in Class 10 ISO Certified Cleanroom, we support the highest level of security for your hard drive. We also use precise tools and state-of-the-art technologies working on any type, brand, and model of HDD. Our team works on hard drives regardless of their operating system, storage capacity, or file system.
Advantages of Our HDD Data Recovery Services:
PITS Global Data Recovery Services offers flexible recovery options for individuals and businesses throughout the United States. With more than 50 drop-off points and offices throughout the country, we are ready to help our clients anywhere they are.
Start your data recovery process with our highly-qualified engineers by calling 888 611 0737 or filling out the form below. We will gladly help you recover data from a corrupted hard disk drive.
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