A hard drive’s sudden failure can be a major inconvenience, especially if it contains important data. This is exactly what happened with one of our clients, who had a Samsung HM500JI SON 500 hard drive that stopped showing up on their computer. In this case study, we will discuss the steps we took to recover the data from their failed hard drive.
SAMSUNG HM500JI SON Hard Drive 500 Stopped Showing Up
Recently, our company received a Samsung drive data recovery request from a local photo agency. They were saving all their shoots on a Samsung 500GB hard disk.
When faced with a heavy data load, the media storage failed to appear, resulting in a loss of data access. Their technicians attempted to access the hard drive on a PC using SATA connectors, but the device remained undetected.
Upcoming deadlines and pressure from clients led the photo agency to search for professional data recovery services.
After researching data recovery companies, the client chose to trust their device to PITS Global Data Recovery Services. In the consultation, they opted for an expedited evaluation due to the urgent need for a solution.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, we acted quickly, sending the client a pre-paid shipping label within minutes of finalizing the expedited evaluation decision.
Evaluating the SAMSUNG HM500JI SON 500 Hard Drive
Our data recovery team received the device and promptly commenced the evaluation. Since the device was undetectable in the operating system, the engineer had to unsolder it in our ISO Certified Class 10 Cleanroom. Our expert utilized control and measuring equipment, including voltmeters, ohmmeters, and combined instruments. If needed, an oscilloscope and a frequency counter were employed.
Using a voltmeter and an ohmmeter proved effective in diagnosing a repairable hard drive electronics board. The assessment revealed that the hard disk drive overheated, leading to the PCB burning out due to excessive loads.
We communicated the evaluation findings and provided the customer with an estimate for data recovery. Upon receiving approval, our specialized engineers initiated the process of recovering the lost files.
Samsung HM500JI SON Hard Drive PCB Recovery
As the PCB failed, the device could no longer function, making the files inaccessible and corrupted. Our data recovery engineers replaced the damaged PCB with a new one from the same model HDD.
When choosing a printed circuit board for Samsung media storage, the number engraved on the board must match.
The data recovery expert initially extracted the circuit boards from both hard drives and substituted the impaired printed circuit board with a fresh one.
Following this modification, the spindle motor of the drive initiated spinning, yet the disk remained undetected, prompting the technician to migrate the ROM chip from the faulty board to the replacement one. If an appropriate one is absent on the PCB, the ROM chip is assimilated into the primary controller chip. Under such circumstances, soldering of the primary chip would be necessary.
Our engineer also successfully transferred the ROM chip and started extracting the data, but the data could not be accessed. Replacing the PCB resulted in a corrupted file system.
File System Recovery from Samsung HM500JI HDD
The client’s hard drive was formatted using an NTFS file system. NTFS supports storing metadata and uses specialized data structures to store information about files to improve performance, reliability, and disk space efficiency.
Our engineers restored the file system using our decrypting keys for corrupted files and file systems.
After recovering the file system, our team retrieved all lost files from the Samsung HM500JI SON hard drive. Then, we transferred data to another secure storage device for remote customer file verification.
We first scheduled a remote file verification for the client. After receiving his approval of the results, we transferred his data to a new external hard drive. Finally, once the data transfer was complete, we shipped the new external hard drive back to the client.
Preventing Future Data Loss on Samsung HM500JI HDD
After recovering our client’s data, we advised him on some best practices to prevent future data loss. This includes regularly backing up files, using a surge protector to prevent power surge damage, monitoring hard drive temperatures and replacing if overheating, and checking for unusual noises or damage.
In cases where a Samsung HM500JI HDD fails due to damaged PCBs, it is important to replace them with the exact matching model. Attempting to use a different PCB can result in further damage and make the data recovery process more difficult.
By following these preventative measures, our client can minimize the risk of data loss in the future and ensure the safety of their important files.
If you’re in a similar situation, contact PITS Global Data Recovery Services for professional, reliable data recovery. We’re committed to helping you retrieve lost data with top-notch service. Trust your media storage devices with us, and we’ll work hard to recover your important files.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if my Samsung hard drive fails?
First, avoid attempting to repair or recover data on your own, as this can lead to further damage. Turn off your device immediately to prevent additional data loss, and contact a professional data recovery service as soon as possible.
How long does the Samsung hard drive data recovery process take?
The duration of the data recovery process can vary depending on the complexity of the issue. Expedited evaluations and recovery options are available for urgent cases, ensuring your data is recovered as quickly as possible.
How can I recover data from the Samsung HM500JI SON 500 hard drive?
If you are experiencing data loss on your Samsung HM500JI SON 500 hard drive, contact a professional data recovery service. They will evaluate the device and provide an estimate for data recovery.
Is it possible to recover the data after PCB failure on a Samsung HM500JI hard drive?
Yes, it is possible to recover data after PCB failure on a Samsung HM500JI hard drive. A professional data recovery service will have the necessary equipment and expertise to replace the damaged PCB and retrieve lost data.
How much does it cost to recover data from a failed Samsung hard drive?
The cost of data recovery services can vary depending on the severity and complexity of the issue. Contact a professional data recovery service for an evaluation and estimate.
