Logical Causes of Defective Hard Drives / Storage Devices
Missing files do not always indicate a mechanically defective hard drive. Software errors, viruses, or the intentional or accidental deletion / overwriting of important files can also be the cause of data loss. In these cases, data can usually be recovered more quickly than in the case of mechanical defects (e.g. head crash).
The Most Common Logical Causes
- Software or system crash
- Premature disconnection of USB flash drives, memory cards, external HDDs / SSDs
- Computer virus infection
- Trojans
- Accidental or intentional deletion or overwriting of files / folders
- Formatting of drives / partitions
First Steps for a Defective Hard Drive
Turn off the external storage device or the computer (internal hard drive) and disconnect it from the power supply to avoid power surges and overheating. Also avoid strong temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and do-it-yourself data recovery measures with free tools from the internet. Instead, contact a professional data recovery specialist on-site. Also learn about the symptoms of defective hard drives.
Lars Müller