Data Loss Emergency Checklist
Your drive just failed. These are the critical steps to take in the first 5 minutes to maximize your chances of successful data recovery.
READ THIS FIRST: The Single Most Important Rule
STOP USING THE DEVICE IMMEDIATELY. Every second the drive remains powered on with mechanical failure causes irreversible damage. Every power cycle reduces your recovery chances.
If you hear clicking, beeping, or grinding: Power off NOW. Do not power on again. Do not 'try one more time.' Contact a professional data recovery lab immediately.
The 5-Minute Emergency Protocol
Follow these steps in order. Each step takes 1-2 minutes. By the end, you'll know exactly what's wrong and what to do next.
STOP USING THE DEVICE IMMEDIATELY
Why this matters: Every additional power cycle risks permanent damage. Each read/write operation can overwrite recoverable data or worsen mechanical failure.
DO:
- •Power off the computer/device immediately
- •Do NOT restart 'just one more time'
- •Unplug external drives from power and USB
✗ DON'T:
- •Continue using the drive 'just to save one more file'
- •Run any disk utility or repair tool
- •Attempt recovery software on the failing drive itself
ASSESS THE SYMPTOMS
Why this matters: Different symptoms indicate different failure types, which determine the urgency and approach.
Clicking or ticking sounds
Meaning: Mechanical head failure - CRITICAL
Urgency: Stop immediately. Do not power on again.
Action: Professional recovery required. Contact lab now.
Beeping sounds
Meaning: Seized spindle or stuck heads - CRITICAL
Urgency: Do not attempt to power on repeatedly.
Action: Clean bench work required. Contact lab immediately.
Not detected in BIOS/Disk Utility
Meaning: Firmware issue, electronics failure, or severe physical damage
Urgency: High priority, but less time-sensitive than clicking/beeping
Action: Check cable connections once. If still not detected, STOP. Further power cycles can destroy data.
Spinning normally but files gone/corrupted
Meaning: Logical failure, accidental deletion, or filesystem corruption
Urgency: Medium - Stop using immediately but less critical than mechanical
Action: DIY recovery possible in some cases, or professional data recovery
Burning smell or visible damage
Meaning: Electronics failure, power surge damage
Urgency: Do not power on again under any circumstances
Action: Professional recovery with electronics repair required
DO NOT ATTEMPT THESE 'FIXES'
Why this matters: These common 'solutions' frequently make recovery impossible or significantly more expensive.
✗ Never: Freezer method
Why: Creates condensation inside sealed drive, causes corrosion on platters, destroys data permanently
✗ Never: Hit or shake the drive
Why: Can shatter platters, destroy heads, or create permanent scratches on data surface
✗ Never: Open the drive yourself
Why: Dust particles contaminate platters within seconds. Even in 'clean' rooms, home environments destroy drives
✗ Never: Run CHKDSK, Disk Utility First Aid, or similar
Why: These tools attempt to 'repair' by writing to the drive. On failing drives, this overwrites recoverable data
✗ Never: Install recovery software on the failing drive
Why: Installing software writes data, potentially overwriting the files you're trying to recover
✗ Never: Keep powering on 'to see if it works this time'
Why: Each power cycle on a mechanically failing drive causes more physical damage and data loss
DETERMINE YOUR NEXT MOVE
Why this matters: The correct path depends on symptom severity, data value, and your technical ability.
Clicking, beeping, or burning smell
Recommended action: Professional recovery only
These require specialized equipment (PC-3000, clean bench, electronics repair). DIY attempts will fail and worsen damage.
Get Free Estimate →Drive not detected, but no unusual sounds
Recommended action: Limited DIY possible, then professional if needed
Try different cables/ports (2-3 attempts max). If no detection, likely firmware or electronics issue requiring PC-3000.
Learn About Recovery Options →Drive works but files deleted... DIY possible ONLY for HDDs. WARNING: If this is an SSD, TRIM likely erased data instantly—software cannot help. IMPORTANT: Run software on a different drive, only read from the affected drive.
Recommended action:
DIY Recovery Guide →External drive not mounting
Recommended action: Try basic troubleshooting first
Could be cable, port, or power supply. Test on different computer, try different cables. If still no detection after 2-3 attempts, stop and consult professional.
Get Free Diagnostic →DOCUMENT EVERYTHING
Why this matters: Detailed information helps recovery technicians diagnose faster and avoid unnecessary testing that could cause more wear on the drive.
Information to collect:
- •Exact symptoms: sounds, error messages, behavior
- •When it started: sudden or gradual failure?
- •What happened before: power surge, drop, liquid, normal shutdown?
- •Drive details: brand, model, capacity, age
- •Previous recovery attempts: what was tried, how many power-ons
- •Data importance: irreplaceable photos, business records, or replaceable?
Critical Don'ts: Common Mistakes That Destroy Data
We see these mistakes weekly. Each one reduces recovery chances or makes recovery significantly more expensive.
What's Happening to Your Drive?
Select your symptom for a free diagnosis
Your Next Step Based on Symptoms
What the drive is doing right now determines whether you can recover data yourself or need professional equipment.
Slow but still accessible, no unusual sounds
If the drive spins normally, is detected by your computer, and you can still read some files (even if slowly), DIY recovery is an option. This applies to accidental deletion, formatting, or minor bad sectors.
Only recommended when the data is not mission-critical. If the files are irreplaceable (family photos, business records with no backup), professional imaging is safer because it minimizes additional wear on the drive.
Follow the DIY Recovery Guide →Clicking, beeping, grinding, or not detected
These symptoms indicate mechanical or firmware failure. Recovery software cannot fix damaged heads, seized motors, or corrupted firmware modules. Continued power cycling causes more platter damage with each attempt.
Ship Your Drive for Recovery →Two Common Repair Attempts That Destroy Data
CHKDSK / Disk Utility First Aid
CHKDSK (Windows) and First Aid (macOS) write to the drive during repair. On a failing drive, this overwrites the sectors you need to recover. If your OS prompts you to "scan and fix," click Cancel. Only run repair tools on a clone, never the original.
The Freezer Trick
Putting a hard drive in the freezer creates condensation on the platters when the drive warms up. That moisture corrodes the magnetic surface and makes recovery impossible. This advice dates from the 1990s and does not apply to modern sealed drives. Read the full breakdown of why this myth persists.
Should You Try DIY Recovery or Go Professional?
Safe for DIY
These scenarios are safe to attempt yourself with proper software:
Professional Required
These scenarios require specialized equipment and expertise:
What Happens Next?
Contact Us
Describe your symptoms and situation. We'll provide an immediate assessment and quote.
Get Free Estimate →Ship Your Drive
Package securely and ship to our Austin lab. We provide detailed shipping instructions.
Shipping Guide →We Recover Your Data
Free diagnostics, no data = no charge guarantee. We'll keep you updated throughout the process.
Our Guarantee →