Problems with the controller of hard disk drives occur quite often. They can result from a computer power failure, overheating, moisture ingress, or no apparent reason. A board defect can be visible. Most often, there is no sound. The motor does not rotate, and the disk is not detected. The elements of the board may become excessively hot, and a short circuit on the disk board will not allow the computer itself to turn on.
In unusual cases – the engine spins up, after which a rhythmic knock will be heard. It is a symptom of non-working heads and sometimes the result of incorrect operation.
It is easy to confuse a bad board with other problems. It can be misdiagnosed as a drive with sticky magnetic heads or a jammed motor.
However, if you have already found out that the disk is faulty, it is important not to connect it to power since there is a high probability of failure of all the electronics of the disk, and at the same time the engine.
Instead, entrust your device to a reliable data recovery company to restore all your critical data. PITS Global Data Recovery Services provide advanced HDD data recovery solutions. Our specialists will restore your data entirely.
LaCie External Hard Drive Data Failure
This week, our team received LaCie 2TB HDD Rugged Mini External Hard Drive USB 3.0 for an evaluation. The customer stored his memorable photos on the drive, but he could not access them anymore. He tried to open the folders stored on the drive, but the device was not detected, and only a ticking sound was heard.
He entrusted his media storage to our professionals. The engineer received the hard drive and started a technical inspection. As sounds were heard, he did not power up the HDD but proceeded with inspection in our ISO Certified Class 10 Cleanroom.
The evaluation showed that the memory controller burnt due to moisture ingress into the HDA, and all the reading/writing processes ended. Controller failure is the most common cause of HDD failure.
If the hard drive does not react at startup or does not allow the computer to start, in most cases, the controller needs a replacement. The evaluation was over, and after receiving the client’s approval, we started to recover the data.
LaCie Hard Drive Controller Recovery
In the client’s case, replacing the memory controller was better than fixing it. However, a simple replacement was not enough.
On the board of each disk, there is NVRAM – non-volatile memory ROM, which contains the data necessary for the correct start of the disk. Even before starting the engine, it determines the number of heads and gains access to the service area.
And more importantly, its contents are unique for each particular disk. For the correct operation of the customer’s disk, the ROM of a working board had to be updated with the contents of the ROM of the native faulty board.
It is done using our state-of-art data recovery tools. In some cases, we have to physically solder the elements of one board to another.
LaCie External HDD Data Extraction
As the operation was carried out correctly, and the carrier did not have other problems, our data recovery expert could start reading the data. After the completion of data recovery, the hard disk was returned to its previous state. The native board is returned, and most importantly, the native ROM.
Our specialist extracted all the recovered files and transferred them to a new HDD. The customer reviewed the data recovery results and approved them.
Then we shipped his data back via new media storage and deleted all his files stored on our servers. Call PITS Global Data Recovery Services for consultation with our highly experienced professionals. You can also fill out the request help form to begin your data recovery case.
Engineers at our labs will carry out thorough diagnostics of the board, select a donor memory controller, transfer the ROM to it using an infrared soldering station, make a replacement and perform all measures to restore your important files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to recover data from a LaCie external HDD?
Yes, data recovery is often possible for LaCie external HDDs, depending on the nature of the data loss and the extent of damage. However, it’s crucial to seek professional assistance from data recovery experts like PITS Global Data Recovery Services to maximize the chances of successful recovery.
Is DIY data recovery recommended for LaCie external HDDs?
DIY data recovery attempts are generally discouraged, especially for complex issues or physically damaged drives like LaCie external HDDs. Unskilled actions can worsen the situation. Seek professional help from experts experienced in LaCie data recovery.
How long does it take to recover data from a LaCie external HDD?
The time required for data recovery depends on various factors, including the complexity of the issue and the amount of data to be recovered. During the evaluation process, our team at PITS Global Data Recovery Services will provide you with an estimated turnaround time.
Can data loss from a LaCie external HDD be prevented?
While some data loss incidents are unavoidable, you can take precautions to minimize the risk. Regularly back up your data to multiple locations, handle your LaCie external HDD with care to prevent physical damage, and use reliable antivirus software to protect against malware.