Retrieving information from a faulty drive requires precise actions. Recuva from Piriform provides tools for this task, though success depends on the extent of the media's damage.
Before starting, connect the problematic device to your computer. Ensure the system detects it, even if it appears as a "Removable Disk" with an incorrect file system or prompts you to format it. If prompted, decline the formatting.
Preparation and Launching the Recovery Wizard
Download and install Recuva. For working with physically damaged media, the portable version is preferable, as it can be run from a healthy USB drive. This eliminates any data writes to the damaged disk. Launch the program with administrator rights to ensure direct access to the hardware.
Selecting File Types and Location
The recovery wizard simplifies the setup process. Choosing a specific file type (e.g., JPEG images or PDF documents) narrows the scan area, which can speed up the operation. For a first attempt or with serious damage, selecting All Files is advisable.
When specifying the location, if the drive does not appear in the list of standard options (e.g., "On my flash drive"), use the In a specific location option and specify the drive letter assigned to your device by the system.
Activating Deep Scan
For damaged or inaccessible media, enabling the Enable Deep Scan option before starting is critical. The standard algorithm works with the file table, which is often corrupted or unavailable on damaged media. The deep scan ignores the file system structure and performs a sector-by-sector scan of the disk surface, attempting to identify files by their data signatures (file headers). This process takes significantly longer—several hours for a 32 GB drive.
Analyzing Scan Results
After the scan completes, Recuva will display a list of found files. A color indicator provides an initial assessment of their condition:
- Green circle: The file is in good condition and will likely be recovered completely.
- Yellow circle: The file is partially overwritten or damaged. Recovery is possible but not guaranteed.
- Red circle: The file cannot be recovered. The data has been overwritten or is severely corrupted.
The Critical Step: Saving Data
The most important rule: never save files back to the same media from which the recovery is being performed. This will lead to data overwriting and irrevocable loss. Specify a save path on the computer's internal hard drive or another healthy external drive.Additional Measures for Hardware Failures
If the drive has physical damage (identified by symptoms such as unusual noises, case overheating, not being recognized by the system, or I/O error messages), software recovery may be ineffective or could worsen the situation. In such cases, it is recommended to:- Immediately disconnect power to the device.
- Contact a professional data recovery lab that uses hardware methods in cleanroom conditions.
- Attempting DIY repair with soldering usually leads to complete data loss.
chkdsk [drive_letter]: /f /rHowever, if the goal is file recovery, running chkdsk is not recommended, as the utility may alter the disk structure during error correction.