How to Do Data Recovery After Hard Drive Failure

First you want to find out if you have an actual hard drive failure. Turn off the computer and start Microsoft Windows in Safe Mode (hit F8 at startup, then hit 3), and if you can get through, then your problem is not hardware based, but software based. You'll need to do a system restore or reinstall Windows to get things back to how they were. This is especially important to try if you recently installed some software. PCs are notorious for having unforeseen random problems with certain programs, like mixing medicines randomly.

If you can't get through to your login screen in Safe Mode, you may have a true hard drive failure and you will need to take more drastic data recovery steps. The first thing you want to try is Testdisk, a disk analyzation program that can forego the need for even more drastic data recovery methods. Testdisk is shareware. The link is below.

If Testdisk doesn't work, TOKIWA is your next option. TOKIWA is a data recovery program that you can put on a USB drive and actually try to load into the computer that you're having data problems with. It's pretty self explanatory and user friendly; however, you may want to download it now while you have everything working and put it on a USB drive to have handy when computer errors occur.

The worst data recovery scenario is when you have physical hard drive failure, like when your computer starts making crazy noises at you. You will then need to take the hard drive to a professional. If you know how to change a logic board, that would be your next step. You will need to obtain a working logic board (from eBay or Fry's) from a similar hard drive, and replace the board. This is simply a matter of knowing where the logic board rests on your computer, and doing the requisite mechanical work. If you have two left hands when it comes to screwdrivers, it's best to send off your hard drive to a professional. Good luck with your data recovery!