Data Recovery · LanCologne

From a technical point of view, what happens during a head crash, and what is still possible afterwards?

In the event of a head crash, a read/write head comes into contact with the rotating magnetic disc. Typical signs include clicking, grinding noises or the drive switching off immediately. Every additional minute of operation can wear away material from the surface and further damage the data.

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Technical background

The causes include impacts during operation, wear and tear, contamination or overheating. Abraded particles spread throughout the housing and can damage other heads and components. Whether data can be recovered depends on whether the magnetic layer is merely scratched or has been worn away over a large area – this can only be determined by inspecting the opened drive on a clean bench.

What you should – and shouldn’t – do now

  • Switch off the drive immediately and do not restart it.
  • Don’t open it, don’t knock on it, don’t let it freeze – these „tips“ will only make the damage worse.
  • Pack the drive in shock-resistant packaging.

Here’s how we do it

  • Inspection of heads and disc surfaces at the cleanbench (cleanbench with HEPA H14 filter).
  • Depending on the nature of the damage and the condition of the surface: replacement of the head unit with suitable dispenser heads (same model, appropriate revision) at the cleanroom workbench.
  • Assessment of whether data extraction is possible and, if so, the effort involved – the result will be set out in the written quotation.
  • Reading out using hardware that skips weak areas and then re-reads them selectively at a later stage.
  • Reconstruction of the file system from the image.

Borders

  • Where the magnetic layer has been worn away, the data no longer physically exists.
  • It is only possible to assess whether a drive with head damage can be read after it has been inspected.
  • Severely damaged surfaces can also cause further damage to new heads.
  • Suitable dispenser heads are not available for every model.

Possible results

A list showing which sectors could be read and which files are complete or incomplete.

How we carry out data recovery

Every data storage device is first diagnosed in our own laboratory in Cologne; the diagnosis is free of charge. You will then receive a written quote and can decide whether to accept it. If you decline, you can collect the data storage device from the laboratory by appointment – there are no postage costs involved – or we will post it back to you; in which case postage and packaging costs may apply. Data is recovered from copies, not from the original – using professional data recovery hardware such as the PC-3000. If a drive needs to be opened, this is carried out on a HEPA H14-filtered clean bench. We do not offer a guarantee of success prior to diagnosis, as this is simply not possible in a professional context. Your storage device and your data will remain confidential and will not be passed on to third parties.

1Enquiries and submission by post or in person at the laboratory by prior appointment
2Free diagnosis of the cause of the damage
3Written quotation – we will only proceed once you have approved it; if you decline, you may collect the item from the laboratory or we will return it to you (postage and packaging costs may apply)
4Recovery, data verification and confidential handover

Request a diagnosis   Find out more about the process, costs and confidentiality →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I quickly copy my details after clicking?+
We would advise against doing this. Particularly in the case of impact damage, any further attempts may cause additional damage to the surface.
Why can’t a drive simply be opened?+
Even the tiniest particles between the head and the disc can cause new scratches. We therefore only open drives on a clean bench fitted with a HEPA H14 filter.
Is everything always lost after a head crash?+
No. Often, large sections of the surface are still intact. The outcome depends on the extent of the damage.

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