When your files matter more than the device

A computer, storage drive or memory card can usually be replaced. Family photographs, business documents, university work, recordings and years of personal files may be impossible to recreate.

For this reason, data recovery is different from ordinary device repair. The main objective is not necessarily to return the damaged drive to everyday use. In many cases, the safest goal is to obtain access long enough to copy the available data to a healthy storage device.

Please tell me which folders and file types are particularly important. Recovering family photographs may require a different verification process from recovering accounting files, project folders or video recordings.

Storage devices and equipment I can diagnose

More advanced cases involving NAS devices, RAID arrays or severe physical damage may require an individual assessment or cooperation with a specialised partner laboratory.

Common data-loss situations

What should you avoid doing?

Well-intentioned attempts can sometimes reduce the chances of a successful recovery. When the files are valuable, avoid the following actions:

• Do not format the drive or memory card, even when Windows, a camera or a smartphone recommends it.
• Do not install Windows on the affected drive. Installation can overwrite structures and files that might otherwise remain recoverable.
• Do not save recovered files back to the same device. New data may overwrite the files you are trying to recover.
• Do not repeatedly scan a failing HDD. Long scans can place additional stress on a mechanically damaged drive.
• Do not keep moving a damaged USB connector. A loose port can become a torn circuit board with damaged pads and tracks.
• Do not open a hard disk drive at home. Dust and accidental contact with internal surfaces can cause additional physical damage.
• Do not rely on random recovery programs without a plan. Software can be useful in selected logical cases, but it is not appropriate for every unstable or physically damaged device.

Logical failure or physical damage?

Data loss can have many causes. A logical failure may involve an accidentally deleted folder, damaged partition, corrupted file system or an operating system that no longer starts. The storage device may still communicate normally with the computer.

Physical or electronic damage can include a failed controller, damaged USB port, unstable memory, clicking HDD, damaged circuit board, liquid exposure or a drive that repeatedly disconnects.

These situations should not be treated in the same way. Running a software scan on a stable device may be reasonable, while running the same scan repeatedly on a failing mechanical drive may be harmful. Initial diagnosis helps determine the safest next step.

How the data recovery process works

1. You describe what happened.
   Explain when the problem started, what the device was used for, which files matter and what recovery attempts have already been made.
2. The storage device is assessed.
   I check whether it is detected, whether it appears stable and whether the problem is likely to be logical, electronic or physical.
3. The safest recovery approach is selected.
   Depending on the condition, this may involve controlled reading, creating a technical copy or image, repairing access temporarily or recommending a specialist laboratory.
4. The available data is analysed.
   The recovered folder structure and important file types are checked wherever possible.
5. Recovered files are copied to another healthy device.
   The damaged original should not normally be reused as the destination for recovered data.

A technical copy may be safer than working on the original

When a drive is unstable but still readable, creating a sector-based image or clone may help limit repeated work on the original device. Further analysis can then be performed on the copy rather than repeatedly stressing the same damaged storage medium.

This is particularly important when the drive develops read errors, slows down, disconnects or contains irreplaceable data. The exact procedure always depends on the condition and behaviour of the device.

Photographs and recordings from memory cards

SD and microSD cards are used in digital cameras, smartphones, drones, GoPro cameras and car recorders. They may stop working because of intensive use, sudden power loss, damaged file systems, interrupted recording or physical wear.

If a camera displays a card error or suggests formatting, stop recording immediately. Each new photograph or video may overwrite material that could otherwise be recovered.

This also applies to dash-camera recordings. If an important road, parking or accident recording is missing, remove the card from the camera so that loop recording does not overwrite the relevant period.

Photographs and personal data recovery (detailed service page in Polish)

Privacy and confidential files

Storage devices may contain private photographs, personal correspondence, financial documents, company information and other confidential material. Data supplied for diagnostics and recovery is handled only to the extent required to perform the service and verify the results.

Before bringing the device, you can explain which folders are most important and whether the files include particularly sensitive personal or business information.

No data recovery can be guaranteed in advance

The chances of recovery depend on the type of device, the nature of the damage, the amount of overwritten data and any previous repair attempts. A drive being visible in the BIOS does not guarantee that its files are healthy. A device being completely undetected does not automatically prove that recovery is impossible.

For this reason, I do not promise a specific result before the storage device has been assessed. I prefer to explain the likely options honestly and say directly when a case requires a different level of specialist equipment.

Real data recovery examples

The following articles show real cases handled in my service centre. The articles are written in Polish, but include photographs and practical details about the affected storage devices.

• ADATA SC750 1 TB SSD with a torn USB-C connector (data recovery case in Polish)
• Recovery of photographs from an SD card used in a Nikon D750 (data recovery case in Polish)
• Recovery of videos and photographs from a GoPro microSD card (data recovery case in Polish)
• Recovery of recordings from a 70mai dash-camera memory card (data recovery case in Polish)
• Failing drive, 100% usage in Windows and data cloning (technical case in Polish)
• Intel NUC: drive failure, cleaning and data cloning (repair case in Polish)

Browse more real repairs and data recovery cases (Polish section with photographs)

Communication is easier than you think

You do not need to speak Polish to ask about data recovery. I speak English and regularly assist international customers.

Email and text messages are often the easiest way to communicate. You can send the exact device model, photographs, screenshots and a description of the problem. Written information can also be translated easily when required.

When contacting me, please include:

• the type and capacity of the storage device,
• the manufacturer and model, if known,
• what happened immediately before the failure,
• whether the device is still detected,
• any unusual sounds or disconnections,
• which folders and file types matter most,
• which recovery or repair attempts have already been made.

Please contact me before visiting so that we can arrange a suitable time and discuss how the affected device should be transported.

Frequently asked questions