External hard drives are crucial tools for backing up essential files, storing large datasets, and transferring digital content. But what happens when your trusted external drive takes a fall? Accidents happen; your external hard drive slips off the desk, gets knocked over, or is dropped during transport.
Indication: External Hard Drive Is Damaged
After a hard drive has been dropped, the application of the damage depends on the height of the fall, the surface it landed on, and the make of the drive. Receiving notification of these signs early is crucial to securing your data and avoiding further issues.
Stages to Follow After Dropping Your External Hard Drive
- Avoid Using the Drive at the exact moment
If the hard drive starts making abnormal noises or fails to connect, stop using it. You have observed the damage to the drive, which can pose a danger, especially if the read or write head is misaligned or there are internal platter issues.
- Evaluating Physical Damage
Check for evident damage, such as dents, a broken casing, or a bent USB adapter. If the drive’s casing is cracked or the port appears to be misaligned, do not attempt to plug it in again; it may worsen the damage.
- Try a Different USB Port or Computer
In some cases, the issue might be with the cable or port rather than the drive itself.
A healthy external drive usually works silently; beeping noises may indicate internal mechanical failure, which is a common circumstance in drives that have been physically damaged.
- Avoiding DIY Repairs for Internal Damage
Opening the drive at home can lead to enduring data loss. New external hard drives are exquisite and need a clean-room environment to manage internal elements. If the drive was dropped and is no longer functional, it’s time to consult a professional.
How to Recover Data from a Dropped External Hard Drive?
When data is critical and the drive is unresponsive, personalised data recovery is your best option. Skilled technicians use specialised tools and clean-room environments to safely recover data without risking further damage. In many cases, even drives that appear completely dead can have their data recovered.
Some service providers offer free diagnostics, enabling you to have a thorough understanding of the damage before submitting to a recovery service.
Conclusion
If your external hard drive was dropped and is no longer operating correctly, even after trying basic troubleshooting, it’s time to call in an expert. Data restoration specialises in the benefits and expertise to address both physical and logical drive failures, thereby increasing your chances of a complete recovery. We know the critical importance of your data at iTechnology Australia. When you’re facing a simple software issue or a complicated hardware failure after a drop, the experienced technicians can help assess and recover your drive safely.