Everything you Need to Know About Data Recovery

Data recovery is the process of retrieving lost, tampered or erased data. You have to perform data recovery if you cannot access the data in the usual way by Window's File Explorer. You can recover data from various devices such as hard disk drives (HDD), solid state drives (SSD), USB thumb drives, and even DVDs.

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Why Do People Require Data Recovery?

People perform data recovery for numerous reasons. The most common reason is due to damaged or malfunctioning operating systems and storage devices. If the system or device is still accessible, there is a chance the data within can be transferred to another device.

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Another situation to do data recovery is when you unintentionally delete a file. While the space previously occupied by the deleted file is freed up, its components is not instantly removed from the physical drive. As such, you can still retrieve the file if it is not overwritten by other data files.

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Logical Data Recovery Process

Software data recovery works by scanning storage devices, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, or memory cards, to identify and retrieve lost or deleted data.

 

Here's a simplified overview of how the process typically works:

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Scanning

The data recovery software scans the storage device sector by sector, looking for traces of lost or deleted files. It examines both the file system and the raw data on the device to locate any recoverable data.

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File Identification

During the scanning process, the software identifies file headers and structures that indicate the presence of files. It also checks for damaged or corrupted file entries in the file system.

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Rebuilding File Structures

If the file system is damaged, the software may attempt to rebuild it, so it can access the files more accurately. This process involves recreating the directory structure and file allocation information.

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Data Extraction

Once the software identifies recoverable files, it copies the data to a different location (usually to another storage device) to prevent overwriting or further damage to the original data. This step involves reading and copying the data from the storage device.

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File Reassembly

For fragmented files, the software may need to piece together scattered data fragments to reconstruct complete files. This requires knowledge of the file structure and the ability to link fragments correctly.

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Verification

The recovered files are often verified to ensure their integrity. Some data recovery software may perform checksum or hash checks to confirm the accuracy of the recovered data.

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User Review

After the recovery process is complete, users can review the recovered files and select the ones they want to keep. Some software provides previews of recovered files to assist with this selection.

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Saving Recovered Data

Finally, the user can save the recovered data to a new location, such as a different drive or directory.

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Physical Data Recovery Process

Physical data recovery, also known as hardware data recovery, is the process of recovering data from storage devices that have experienced physical damage or failure. Unlike software data recovery, which focuses on retrieving data from logically damaged or deleted files, physical data recovery deals with situations where the storage device itself is damaged or malfunctioning. This can include hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, memory cards, and other types of storage media.

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Here are the key steps involved in physical data recovery:

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Diagnosis and Evaluation

The first step is to assess the extent of physical damage to the storage device. This may involve examining the device for visible damage, listening for unusual noises (e.g., clicking or grinding sounds), and conducting diagnostic tests to determine the nature of the problem.

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Opening the Device

In some cases, the data recovery specialist may need to open the storage device in a controlled environment, such as a cleanroom, to access the internal components. This is often necessary for hard drives with mechanical failures.

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Repair or Replacement of Components

Depending on the nature of the damage, certain components within the storage device may need to be repaired or replaced. This can include replacing damaged read/write heads, repairing the PCB (printed circuit board), or addressing other issues like motor failure.

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Cloning or Imaging

Once the storage device is stable and accessible, a bit-by-bit clone or image of the damaged device is created. This ensures that the recovery process does not further damage the original data.

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Data Recovery

Data recovery specialists use specialized software and tools to work with the cloned image. They may need to use advanced techniques to piece together fragmented data, recover files from damaged sectors, or reconstruct file systems.

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Verification and Integrity Checks

Recovered data is carefully verified to ensure its integrity and completeness. Hash checks and other verification methods may be employed to confirm the accuracy of the recovered data.

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Data Extraction

The recovered data is extracted and transferred to a separate storage device, typically an external hard drive or another medium that the client provides.

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Testing and Verification

The client reviews the recovered data to ensure that it meets their requirements. Verification is critical to confirm that essential files and data have been successfully recovered.

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Data Delivery

Once the client is satisfied with the recovered data, it is delivered to them in the format they prefer, whether that's on a new storage device or via secure online transfer.

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Physical data recovery can be a complex and delicate process, and it's typically performed by specialized data recovery labs or professionals with the necessary expertise and equipment. The success of physical data recovery depends on various factors, including the severity of the damage, the type of storage device, and the timeliness of the response to the data loss situation. It's important to consult with a reputable data recovery service if you suspect physical damage to your storage device to maximize the chances of successful data retrieval.