How to recover files from a RAW drive?

Data Recovery
1

My external hard drive suddenly became RAW, and now I can’t access any of my files. I have some important documents and photos on it. Can someone guide me on how to recover them?

2

First off, sorry to hear about your situation. A RAW drive usually means there’s something wrong with the file system, making the data unreadable by your OS. There are a few steps you can follow to attempt a recovery, and it’s good practice to start with software-based solutions before resorting to professional help. Here’s a guide you might find useful:

  1. Do not format the drive: Even though the system prompts you to format the drive, avoid doing so. Formatting will make recovery much more complicated and might result in permanent data loss.

  2. Use Data Recovery Software: There are several reliable data recovery tools out there that can help you recover files from a RAW drive. One highly recommended option is Disk Drill

    Disk Drill Screenshot
    Data Recovery Software.

Here’s a quick rundown on how you can use Disk Drill to recover your files:

  • Download and install Disk Drill on your computer. Make sure you install it on a different drive than the one you’re trying to recover to avoid overwriting any data.

  • Launch the software. It has an intuitive interface, so you should find it easy to navigate.

  • Select the RAW drive from the list of available drives. Disk Drill will then perform a thorough scan.

  • Once the scan is complete, you’ll get a list of recoverable files. You can preview these files to ensure they’re intact.

  • Select the files you need and choose a location to save them, again opting for a different drive to prevent overwriting.

  1. Check Disk Utility (Windows): You might want to try the built-in Check Disk Utility to see if a simple error fix can change the drive’s status back to NTFS or FAT32.

  • Open Command Prompt as administrator.

  • Type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with the drive letter of your RAW drive) and press Enter.

  • The utility will try to locate and fix any errors on the drive.

  1. TestDisk (Free): If you’re comfortable with command-line tools, TestDisk is an open-source option that’s often used for recovering lost partitions and making non-booting disks bootable again.

  • Download and install TestDisk.

  • Run the software and follow the step-by-step instructions to analyze the drive.

  • It can help repair the partition table or recover files from the RAW drive.

  1. Professional Data Recovery Services: If the above methods don’t work, or if the data is too important to risk, you might want to consider professional data recovery services. Companies specializing in data recovery can retrieve data from physically damaged drives as well.

A couple quick tips to enhance your chances of recovery:

  • Avoid using the drive: The more you mess with it, the higher the chances of overwriting the lost data.

  • Backup Regularly: A bit late for this issue, but moving forward, regular backups can save you a lot of heartache.

Let’s hope one of these solutions gets your docs and photos back. Good luck!

3

Adding to what @byteguru mentioned, another angle to consider involves a different approach that might be a bit more technical but sometimes very effective.

First, I want to emphasize the importance of not formatting the drive. Formatting is tempting because it seems like an easy way out, but this is the equivalent of sweeping things under the rug and then finding out you’ve thrown the rug out too. Important data might become permanently irrecoverable.

Here’s a different perspective that complements @byteguru’s method, especially if you’ve already tried data recovery software without success or you’re just curious about exploring other routes:

  1. Use Linux Live CD / USB: Sometimes, switching the operating system can help read from a RAW drive. Linux has strong capabilities when dealing with file systems and might just provide you access to your files.

    • Create a Linux Live USB (Ubuntu is a good starting point).

    • Boot your computer using the USB. This won’t install anything on your existing systems but will load an entire OS from the USB.

    • Once you’re in the Linux environment, connect your RAW drive. Often, Linux can read drives that Windows cannot.

    If your files appear, copy them to another drive.

  2. Disk Imaging Before Recovery: This is a more cautious approach but highly recommended when dealing with potential data loss. Before attempting any recovery on your RAW drive, create a disk image of it. This way, you have a safe backup of your current state in case anything goes wrong in further recovery attempts. Tools like Clonezilla or ddrescue (works best in Linux) can create an exact clone of your disk.

    • Use ddrescue command: sudo ddrescue -f -n /dev/sdX /path/to/backup.img /path/to/backup.logfile

    • Replace /dev/sdX with your RAW drive’s identifier, your target image file, and logfile destination.

  3. TestDisk Caveats: TestDisk is indeed powerful but requires a calm and careful hand. It’s command-line based and can seem overwhelming at first. But its ability to repair partition tables and recover files is top-notch. Follow the documentation to get the best results:

    • Always follow TestDisk’s log recommendations before taking actions.

    • Don’t make any changes unless you’re sure. Wrong steps might make things worse.

  4. Data Recovery Software Selection: Disk Drill is highly recommended for its user-friendly interface and effective recovery process. It performs well in most scenarios by providing a comprehensive scan and preview functionality. That said, some issues to be aware of:

    • Pros: Easy to use, good for beginners, strong recovery capability, works on both Windows and Mac.

    • Cons: Can be expensive for the Pro versions, particularly if you need to recover large amounts of data.

    Competitors like Recuva, EaseUS, and Stellar can also be considered, but Disk Drill typically ranks higher in ease of use.

  5. Professional Recovery Services Revisited: Emphasizing again, professional help should be your final resort if the documents are mission-critical. Companies will often evaluate your drive for free (or a small fee) and provide you with a quote based on the complexities involved. The costs can add up quickly, though—ranging from hundreds to thousands depending on the drive’s condition and data amount.

    • Local Recovery Labs: Sometimes, nearby labs provide faster and more personalized services.

Remember, recovering data from a RAW drive is a gamble, and the more you try, the riskier it gets as each new operation potentially alters the disk state. Backing up, as @byteguru noted, is a preventative measure but it doesn’t help this time—just keep it in mind going forward.

Hope these options give you a broader perspective. Stay patient and methodical for the best shot at getting your data back!

4

If you’re dealing with a RAW drive, you’re in a bit of a pickle, but it’s not the end of the world. Before diving into the myriad of technical solutions @techchizkid and @byteguru recommended, let’s consider a couple of simple steps that could sometimes do the trick.

Start with Basic USB Port Troubleshooting

It’s often overlooked, but ensure you’re connecting the drive to a functional USB port. Try different ports, especially avoiding USB hubs. Direct connections to the motherboard USB ports can resolve some flaky connections which might make a drive appear RAW.

Use Different Computers or OS

Before engaging in any software recovery tools, try connecting your drive to another computer or even better, a different operating system. Sometimes, an OS like MacOS or Linux, which handles filesystems more robustly, can read what Windows cannot. Use a friend’s MacBook or a Linux Live USB to make a quick check.

Software Recovery Revisited with a Focus on Partition Recovery

While Disk Drill is indeed a top recommendation as suggested (check out more at Disk Drill), another approach within software recovery focuses more on partition table recovery rather than just file scanning.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

  1. Install: Get AOMEI Partition Assistant on your computer (different drive than your RAW drive).
  2. Partition Recovery Wizard: Use the “Partition Recovery Wizard” feature which attempts to find and restore the lost partitions, potentially converting it back to NTFS.

Advanced Windows Disk Management Tools

Beyond Check Disk Utility, Windows has other built-in tools worth trying, albeit with a lower success rate but it’s good to leave no stone unturned.

Disk Management

  • Open Disk Management (right-click on ‘This PC’ → Manage → Disk Management).
  • Right-click on your RAW drive and select “Properties”.
  • Go to the “Volumes” tab and click “Populate”. Often, this brings more clarity on the disk structure and sometimes clues to the issue.

Data Recovery with ddrescue - Technique Overlap

Yes, ddrescue is a powerhouse and I second using it particularly if you’ve exhausted GUI tools. However, one might consider GNU ddrescue’s specific syntax for pristine data recovery.

  1. Linux USB Boot: Boot from your Linux USB (as suggested).

  2. Terminal Commands: Open Terminal and use the following:

    sudo ddrescue /dev/sdX /path/to/backup.img /path/to/backup.mapfile

    Replace sdX with your drive’s designation. This approach not only secures your current drive status but makes it recoverable multiple times if necessary.

File Validation after Recovery

Aaaand it’s not just about recovering files. Validating the integrity of the recovered data is critical. Tools like MD5Summer or HashMyFiles can help you ensure that the recovered files haven’t been corrupted during the process.

For instance, once recovery thro Disk Drill (a valid choice for many, for its intuitive design), validate your key document hashes against known good backups, if avail.

Cloud Storage as a Safeguard (Post-Recovery Consideration)

Moving forward, consider integrating cloud storage solutions for your essential files. Sync crucial documents with Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. This provides redundant, accessible backup levels that can mitigate such crises.

Raw Data Forensics

In worst-case scenarios where regular software doesn’t cut it, delving into forensic software might be the last frontier before pro help. Autopsy or Sleuth Kit, usually reserved for law enforcement, handle RAW drives with advanced forensics focus.

Pro Professionals

After pushing these options to their limit, professional data recovery services stand ready. When audacious DIY efforts falter, they often succeed, combining advanced software with pristine lab conditions, but yes, reflect costs accordingly.

A Personal Experience Note

After facing a similar predicament, one tool that surprisingly turned things around was Reclaime File Recovery. It’s less mainstream but proved itself robustly capable in varied RAW drive scenarios without overwhelming my non-tech-savvy mind.

In Sum…

Navigating a RAW drive rat trap demands systematic, incremental attempts while cautiously avoiding data write actions—the least corruption, the better. Pull out all stops—methodically. Conclusively, consider Disk Drill, which you can read more about at Disk Drill.