External Hard Drive Recovery Strategies

External hard drives are most commonly used either for backing up data from an internal hard drive, or as a source of supplemental space for data.  It is important to have a strategy for external hard drive recovery to obtain the stored data in the case of an external hard drive crash.  Ideally, such a strategy will be in place beforehand, but in most cases it is only after the event of external hard drive failure that the need for data recovery is recognized.  Here, both pre-emptive and after-the-fact strategies will be examined.

There is much that can be done in advance of an external hard drive crash to protect valuable data (or after the event to protect against future problems).  Installing recovery software on the internal drive for eventual use on the external hard drive is important, because some programs work best when installed in advance.  It is important to ensure that the software to be used will work on an external, as opposed to an internal, hard drive.  Likewise, installing virus protection software will protect against data loss from computer viruses.  Often overlooked, it is important to ensure the external hard drive is in an ideal location to avoid physical factors that can cause irreparable data damage such as excessive heat and cold, exposure to magnetic fields and power surges.  The external hard drive manufacture’s web site is the best resource for operational temperature guidelines for the specific model of drive used, usually about 7 to 50 degrees Celsius.  Therefore in colder climates it is particularly important to note the lower recommended operational temperature limit and ideally keep it in a temperature-controlled climate.  The presence of nearby magnetic fields can erase external hard drive data permanently, so this means keeping the external hard drive away from other equipment which generate high levels of magnetic fields, such as speakers, magnetic locks, or any equipment with a motor or generator.  Power surges are another source of hard drive damage; a surge protector properly hooked up can prevent damage from this source.  Backing up data regularly onto some other source (such as CD/DVD or a secondary external hard drive) is ideal for pre-emptive data protection.

If pre-emptive strategies were not employed or did not work, successful external hard drive data recovery is still possible, and the route to use would depend on whether there is a hardware or software problem.

If the external hard drive is not recognized by the computer or is making unusual clicking sounds, then a hardware problem is likely with the drive (i.e. physical damage as opposed to a software problem).  In this scenario, it is important not to use recovery software, run any utility program, or attempt to disconnect the drive as any of these could result in a poorer eventual outcome.  The only solution for a hardware failure is to use hardware recovery professionals, who will handle the hard drive and recover data in a static-free clean-room environment.  This is usually expensive, but often the only realistic option.  Depending on the cause of the hard drive damage, data recovery from damaged hardware may range from no recovery to some data recovered to complete data recovery. 

If the problem with the external hard drive was not a hardware problem, then external hard drive recovery software can be employed.  Such software is often best installed in advance, but there are many options that can be used after the fact.  Software problems may usually be grouped into three major kinds of causes: drive partitioning, deleted files and other (virus attack, software crash, etc).  If the specific cause of the hard drive problem is not known, it is important that the software to be used can handle all those causes – some specialize only in some areas.  Also, some types of recovery software are designed only to recover certain types of files (e.g. spreadsheets, emails, etc.), so the software should be chosen judiciously.  As with hardware problems, the outcome may range from no data to all data recovered; however, software problems typically result in a more successful recovery rate than hardware problems.

In conclusion, external hard drive recovery is still possible after an external hard drive problem.  The route to use depends on whether the cause is hardware or software-related, and, while complete recovery is possible, success levels may vary.  Usually, at least some data can be salvaged.  Prevention is still the best and usually least expensive strategy.