Data Recovery · LanCologne

What happens if I try to repair a faulty hard drive myself?

There are many „tips“ circulating online for dealing with faulty hard drives. Some date back to a time when drives were built differently; others cause permanent damage to modern drives. Most failed attempts can be traced back to four common patterns.

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Technical background

1. Replacing the circuit board: Modern circuit boards contain drive-specific adaptive data in the ROM; a different circuit board will usually not be compatible. 2. Opening the drive without a low-particle environment: Particles on the platters can cause further damage to the heads. 3. Freezing: Condensation on the platters and electronics. 4. Tapping or shaking a „stuck“ platter: this bends the heads and damages the surface.

What you should – and shouldn’t – do now

  • If you hear any noises or if the device fails to recognise you, switch it off and do not continue trying.
  • Do not loosen any screws on the housing, and do not remove any stickers covering the pressure-equalisation vents.
  • Please describe any steps you have already taken when making your enquiry – this will help with the diagnosis.

Here’s how we do it

  • Diagnostics for electronics, firmware and mechanics are carried out separately.
  • If the circuit board has previously been replaced: Check whether the original circuit board and ROM are still usable.
  • If the drive is already open: inspection and cleaning at the cleanbench, where possible; further steps that can be taken are set out in the quotation.

Borders

  • Surface damage caused by failed attempts is irreversible.
  • If the ROM on the original circuit board has been overwritten or lost, this makes recovery considerably more difficult.

Possible results

An honest assessment of whether the rescue still stands a chance, given the attempts made so far.

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

Does the „freezer trick“ work?+
Not reliable with modern hard drives. Condensation can cause further damage.
I’ve already replaced the circuit board – is everything lost now?+
Not necessarily. Please make sure you keep the original circuit board and send it with your parcel.
May I open the hard drive to have a look?+
No. Even a small amount of contamination can compromise the data.

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