How is data recovery done?
In order to recover data from a failed media device, a
number of tools and techniques can be used. The best course of action is
determined by several factors, but the cause of data loss and the type of
storage media are most likely to govern what processes are used in order to
recover the data.
Data recovery
software
Generally speaking, data recovery software is required when
the storage media has suffered from logical damage. In other words, when the
problem lies not with the media itself, but with something that has been done
to it or the way it is reading the data stored on it.
Typical examples of such problems include:
·
Deleted data;
·
Corrupt data;
·
Incorrectly formatted data.
In such instances, data recovery software is used to ‘piece’
files back together by analysing metadata to identify which sectors of the
media contain the data needed to reconstruct a file and putting it back
together in order to restore it to working order.
Hardware replacement
If a piece of storage media has suffered from physical damage
that has resulted in data becoming inaccessible, then it is almost certain that
physical repairs of some kind will be required.
If the media in question is a hard disk drive, this will
involve removing the drive’s internal components from its housing. The platters
onto which data is written and stored are, however, easily damaged. If even a
microscopic particle comes into contact with one of a drive’s platters, it can
damage the magnetic material on which data is stored. As a result, such repairs
must be conducted within a sterile environment free from such harmful
contaminants. All such repairs that are undertaken by Fields Data Recovery are
therefore conducted in our
state-of-the-art cleanroom.
Once the device has been opened and the extent of the damage
has been determined, we are then able to assess the best course of action going
forward. Generally, the goal will be to temporarily restore the media to
working order. Once this has been done, it will be possible to ‘clone’ or
‘image’ the drive and continue the process of recovering the data held on it. Time
is of the essence at this stage and the data must be moved to a new drive or a
disk image compiled as soon as possible. The longer a failing drive runs, the
greater the likelihood of it failing permanently becomes. Retrieving the data
from the device as quickly as possible is therefore our paramount concern at
this stage of the recovery process.
Following the data having been successfully retrieved, we
can begin the process of rebuilding it. This can, if necessary, involve
reconstructing partition tables or boot records in order to begin the process
of returning existing files to a readable state.
How Fields Data
Recovery can help
We’ve been recovering data for more than twenty years and
from all types of storage media. If you’re data is recoverable, we can get it
back for you.
You can even get
a rough idea of how much it’ll cost for you to get your data recovered with our
price guide. Alternatively, you can find out exactly how much it’ll
cost by taking advantage of our free
data recovery diagnostic.