Recovering data from a hard drive can be critical after a fire or a flood. Many of the techniques used to recover data from damaged drives due to natural disasters are similar to data recovery techniques used from failed hard drives in less severe conditions. The value of the data can be immense and in many cases companies and other individuals who experience these types of disasters are faced with recreating invaluable information. Even those who back up their data on a regular basis are at risk unless they store the backup data in a remote location. Rebuilding customer files, financial records, inventory records, can be extremely difficult and data recovery becomes a critical process to save many companies and other entities from going out of business.
Fire Damage
Data Recovery Group, in some cases, can recover data from hard drives even if all plastic components are melted and otherwise the hard drive looks like a blackened mess.
- Inside a hard drive there is a component called the head assembly. The head assembly houses the rotating platters which contain the data along with heads that read/write the data to the platters.
- There is a small hole in the head assembly (pin size) which the purpose is to compensate for atmospheric changes. The amount of hot air and smoke that enters this hole can compromise the platters. Special chemicals can be used to clean the surface of the platters.
- Water used by fire fighters can also enter the small hole. In this case, speed is of the essence. If the platters are accessed before the water dries, then there greater chances of recovering data on the drive. If the water does dry, it leaves behind minerals, dirt and other foreign materials throughout the drive including the head assembly and platter(s). The percentage of recovery at this point becomes much less.
- Another risk to the head assembly is that the heat was so intense that the platters experienced melting. If the platter(s) have been physically deformed there is little chance of recovering data.
Water Damage
Even if a computer has been under water or submerged data recovery from the hard drive is still possible, the experts at Data Recovery Group can help.
- If the hard drive has been under water for only a short time it is probable that the head assembly has not been penetrated.
- If water has penetrated the head assembly, it is important that the drive be kept wet. When transporting the drive it is vital to seal the drive, as well as other media, in a container with a minimum of a damp sponge. The recovery process has a greater success rate when the drive is received in these conditions.
- Almost all drives that have sustained any amount of time in water will have corrosion. Special chemicals can be used to stop the corrosion and restore the platters to a recoverable state.
- A standard technique used by companies specializing in restoring damaged computer equipment is to heat components in a controlled environment for a time to dry them out. This technique can be disastrous for hard drives and it is recommended that you do not attempt to open or dry out the drive.
Let our experience in recovering data for over 7,000 companies and insurance adjusters work for you. If data recovery is possible Data Recovery Group can get the job done! Contact us for a free consultation.