We own so many different electronic devices that it is almost inevitable that one would break down at some point, yet we are always surprised when it happens. One of the worst devices to break is a computer, because it offers so many files and photos we will not want to lose – so the panic can set in if you have failed to back-up your files.
As soon as you spot the first sign of a hard drive failure, you might be tempted to go straight to a search engine to find a DIY data recovery solution; however, you will most likely come across a list of myths that could result in you permanently losing your data forever. To help you avoid making a big mistake, we are debunking the biggest data recovery myths online and, while you're here, recommend that people get help from it services whenever they run into problem with their computer that they know nothing about.
Myth 1.) The Freezer Mistake
Many DIY how-to guides will tell you to place a dead hard drive either in the freezer or microwave, but this is a big mistake. Hard drives are rather complex, so it is important to avoid making any physical alterations, from changing the temperature to hitting or shaking the device. Any physical damage could make it near impossible for the most talented data recovery expert to retrieve your files. Then if you are unsure about whether you are properly GDPR compliant then you should hire professional GDPR consultants who can look into that for you and make sure that you are completely covered.
Myth 2.) The Circuit Board Problem
You may have read that you can fix the problem yourself if you know how to swap the hard drive with the same model. While this might have been true for older hard drives, there are many more hard drive variations that make a direct swap with another model unlikely. You should therefore prevent wasting your time and data and visit a specialist to get data from a dead hard drive.
Myth 3.) The Download Disaster
You may come across a variety of DIY software programs online that claim they can wave their magic wand, claiming it can repair the file structure and recover the lost data. However, what many programs fail to tell you is that they will overwrite the original hard drive – so it will be impossible to recover the files, unfortunately.
It is up to you to decide whether you want to take your chances with a software program and, if you do, it is recommended you select a program that allows you to save a file so you have the option to undo the software actions, if necessary.
Myth 4.) The Hard Drive Inspection Problem
As your computer starts to experience hard drive failure, you might start to hear a clicking noise or may notice the spinning sounds have disappeared. The last thing you will want is for your computer to break on you, so you might be tempted to open the hard drive to resolve the problem yourself. Unfortunately, simply opening the hard drive could result in a much bigger problem: the loss of data. Hard drives have been intricately created by talented professionals in a clean room environment, so the tiniest speck of dusk could inflate a problem, because it could alter the manufacturing conditions.
So, if you have a hard drive issue, leave the computer alone and hand it to a professional for a better chance of recovering your data.