Every PC user will sooner or later face problems when it is necessary to correct errors that occur with the system. And it’s good if they did not affect personal data. Worse, if you have to deal with SSD recovery. What is needed for this?
Device
Before you figure out how to recover data from a solid state drive, you should understand what it is. SSD - a drive that is installed in the computer system. Often it is compared to a hard drive, since both devices have the same tasks. But there is a significant difference.
A SSD is a very fast drive that can handle the job several times faster than a hard drive. This is caused by the difference in design.
The hard drive is built on magnetic disks and a read head, the solid-state drive works like a USB flash drive and is based on microchips.
SSDs are currently gaining popularity. They are often purchased in pair with the hard drives and put on them an operating system for quick loading. Because SSDs are too expensive, an SSD cannot completely replace a hard drive. Although in server stations and gaming systems can install multiple solid state drives.
Drive Issues
As already mentioned, SSDs are popular for their high speed. But, in addition to this, it is still considered a reliable device. This is because the drive design does not have moving parts, so it does not suffer from minor damage that the hard drive may not suffer.
But an SSD can definitely be attacked by viruses and user errors. All this affects the integrity of personal data. If certain files are deleted, it will not be easy to recover them. More difficult - with data after formatting. But recovering an SSD is possible.
What are the odds?
It should be said right away that recovering data from an SSD is somewhat different from the process that is necessary in the case of a hard drive. Unfortunately, there are situations that do not allow you to recover lost documents.
But in most cases, returning files is possible. The user will have to choose the right program and follow the instructions.
Special teams
The question of whether the restoration of the SSD-drive will take place worries many. It is definitely not easy to answer, because there are a couple of nuances that can affect the result.
A distinctive feature of the drive is the presence of a specific command that the SSD has. TRIM is responsible for ensuring that all data that has been deleted from the disk is actually destroyed. SSD completely erases files from data blocks.
This team works very simply. When the user deletes documents, the ATA interface signals that the files be destroyed, and not be put off in special blocks.
But there is one point: of course, documents will not be deleted immediately. The device will inform the user that the files have been deleted, but the block will be cleared a bit later. Therefore, there is a chance to quickly return data.
All popular manufacturers of solid state drives are trying to create universal devices that would differ from each other only in the volume of the archive. All drives have the same speed, so the TRIM command will be 100% complete.
What to do?
If there is a similar command, is it possible to restore the SSD? In fact, not much. For example, some drives do not support the command to completely delete files, so any program will cope with recovery. Also, TRIM may not work on a specific operating system. There may be difficulties with the interface or the motherboard. USB and FireWire protocols do not support the command.
Formatted drives
In this case, recovering SSD files is even more difficult. As you know, there is a complete and fast formatting of disks. Thanks to this function, you can completely clear data from the drive.
Full formatting completely erases data, while fast formatting works with tables of information sections. Therefore, any popular recovery program would handle the second type of removal. But later, the solid state drive technology has changed. Now it will be difficult to cope with fast formatting, not to mention the full one.
This state of affairs is again connected with the TRIM team. When the user selects formatting, he automatically starts a complete data deletion. A delay between the activation of TRIM and the destruction of documents from the disk practically does not exist.
Drive failure
What is SSD recovery for? The hard drive may be corrupted by the system or damaged. Perhaps the device has stopped reading, but the OS cannot detect it. In this case, returning personal data will be very simple. It is enough to select the necessary software and restore the files.
This is because the drive cannot activate TRIM. Due to the fact that the command is not running, files from blocks will not be deleted. Accordingly, they will be easy to recover.
Recovery Instructions
First you have to find a good program. Recovering an SSD is not easy. As in the case of a flash drive, the user will have to try several programs at once. Therefore, you first need to install a couple of options for utilities.
After that you will have to connect an SSD. Many users recommend using USB rather than SATA. This is due to the fact that the "native" port can activate the TRIM command, and accordingly, the files will be deleted permanently.
If you connect the drive via USB, the deletion will not be activated, which means that the documents will remain intact.
After connecting the device, you can start the program. Whatever the utility, they all have a similar interface. You just need to select the drive that you want to restore. After that, the user must run the diagnostics, and then the recovery process itself.
results
When the program collects all the information, a table appears in which all the lost data will be indicated. Some programs use specific markings. If the file can be restored and saved on a PC, there will be a green checkmark in front of it. If it is damaged, and its restoration is in question, on the contrary there will be a yellow checkmark. The red color indicates that the files were severely “destroyed” and there are only their remains. Accordingly, such data cannot be “reincarnated”.
Programs
There are a large number of programs for recovering data from an SSD. For example, you can use Magic Partition Recovery. The utility can deal with deleted partitions and bad sectors.
The program works with many file formats. She can scan the drive in a short time, and then make a report. There is also an in-depth analysis of SSDs. In this case, the utility works with the contents of files without using a file table.
Magic Uneraser is another document recovery program. It differs only in the interface from the previous version. Works with all existing media file formats. Quickly scans the drive, and also collects a report of the recovered data. The utility is compatible with hard drives, solid state drives, memory cards and flash drives.
Repairs
Speaking of restoring the SSD controller, it’s worth mentioning the physical damage to the device. For some reason, the drive crashed, do not immediately throw it away. Many experts say that it is quite possible to fix it. The question is different: does the user have the necessary tools and skills?
In this case, you need to know the reading range, memory types, standard errors. Specialists carefully examine the device, disconnect the chips, choose the mount and scan the board.
Of course, an ordinary user will not be able to perform such operations. To do this, you need to understand the device of the drive, as well as have the appropriate verification programs and tools for fixing.