All you need to know about data recovery following electrical damage
Like all your electrical and electronic equipment, hard disks are vulnerable to electrical damage.
First and foremost, the hard disk controller board (PCB), via which your drive is connected to the power supply and data interface. But electrical damage can also cause internal damage to the read heads (equipped with an amplifier and a coil) or to the motor required to rotate the data platters.
Depending on the extent of the electrical shock and the damaged components, recovering your data may require opening the machine in a clean room to work on the read heads or motor (equivalent to a mechanical breakdown).
CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL DAMAGE
- lightning or storm
- a power failure
- overvoltage or micro-cuts on the network
- contact with liquids
- a power supply fault
OUR TIPS FOR RECOVERING YOUR DATA AFTER AN ELECTRIC SHOCK
For all your sensitive computer workstations, we recommend the use of a UPS to protect them against power grid malfunctions and this type of damage.
To optimize the chances of recovering your data, it is advisable to follow a few precautions:
- DO NOT reconnect your hard disk, as this may cause further or even irreparable damage to the platters.
- DO NOT open your hard disk to avoid contamination of the platters.
- DO NOT replace a damaged electronic board with a similar one. Each card is unique and associated with its own hard disk. Replacing it may corrupt the firmware on your hard disk, resulting in a more serious or even irreversible failure.
- CONTACT YOUR INSURER to discuss data recovery.
