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Seagate external hard drives are reliable and portable, but sometimes they can malfunction due to various reasons such as viruses, software corruption, or physical damages. This can lead to loss of important data such as documents, photos, or videos. Losing such data can be devastating since some may be of sentimental value or important for work or school. This is where data recovery comes in.
Data recovery is the process of retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted data from storage devices such as hard drives, cameras, or memory cards. In this blog post, we will focus on Seagate external hard drive data recovery. We will explore different methods to recover data from Seagate external hard drives, why data recovery can fail, implications and recommendations, and FAQs about Seagate data recovery.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To recover data from Seagate external hard drives, you will need the following items:
- A computer or laptop with a USB port
- A Seagate external hard drive or enclosure
- A data recovery software such as Recuva, EaseUS, or Disk Drill
- A USB cable to connect the Seagate external hard drive to the computer or laptop
- A stable power source to prevent power interruptions during the data recovery process
What Requires Your Focus?
To successfully recover data from Seagate external hard drives, you need to focus on the following aspects:
- The cause of data loss
- The type of data to be recovered
- The cost of data recovery
- The urgency of data recovery
- The level of technical expertise required for data recovery
Different Methods to Recover Data From Seagate External Hard Drives
Method 1: Using Data Recovery Software
Data recovery software such as Recuva, EaseUS, or Disk Drill can help you recover lost, deleted, or corrupted data from Seagate external hard drives. Here are the steps to follow:
- Download and install the data recovery software on your computer or laptop
- Connect the Seagate external hard drive to the computer or laptop using a USB cable
- Launch the data recovery software and select the Seagate external hard drive as the source disk
- Select the type of data you want to recover (documents, photos, videos, etc.)
- Start the scanning process and wait for it to complete
- Preview the recovered data and select the files you want to recover
- Choose the destination folder where you want to save the recovered data
- Click on the recover button and wait for the process to complete
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Relatively fast data recovery process
- Less expensive compared to other data recovery methods
- Limited technical expertise required
Cons:
- May not recover all the data especially if it’s severely damaged
- Can’t recover data if the Seagate external hard drive is physically damaged
Method 2: Using Seagate Data Recovery Services
Seagate offers data recovery services for their external hard drives that are out of warranty. The services can retrieve data from damaged or corrupted hard drives. Here are the steps to follow:
- Visit the Seagate Data Recovery Services website
- Choose the type of service you want (In-lab data recovery service or Remote data recovery service)
- Fill in the online form that requires your basic information, type of Seagate external hard drive, cause of data loss, and step-by-step instructions to recover data from the hard drive
- Submit the form and wait for a quote from Seagate
- If you agree to the quote, ship the Seagate external hard drive to Seagate data recovery center
- Seagate will recover the data and send it back to you through a secure link or on a new external hard drive
Pros:
- High chances of data recovery
- Professional data recovery services
- Data recovery on physically damaged hard drives
- Customer support throughout the process
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other data recovery methods
- Longer waiting time for data recovery
- Limited to Seagate external hard drives
- May be charged for unsuccessful data recovery
Method 3: Using CMD to Recover Data
CMD (Command Prompt) can help you recover lost, deleted, or corrupted data from Seagate external hard drives. Here are the steps to follow:
- Connect the Seagate external hard drive to the computer or laptop using a USB cable
- Press Windows + R keys to open the run command
- Type in CMD and press enter to open Command Prompt
- Type in chkdsk X: /f /r and press enter (replace X with the letter assigned to the Seagate external hard drive)
- Wait for the process to complete and then type in Y to confirm the process
- Press enter and wait for the process to complete
- Check if the data has been recovered by navigating to the Seagate external hard drive
Pros:
- Free to use
- Less technical expertise required
- Can recover some types of data
Cons:
- May not recover all the lost or corrupted data
- Complex command prompt instructions
- Not applicable for physically damaged hard drives
- The process may take a longer time
Method 4: Manual Recovery of Data
Manual data recovery involves opening the Seagate external hard drive and retrieving the data. This is only applicable for those who have technical expertise and experience in Seagate hard drive mechanics. This method is not recommended for those who are not familiar with hard drive mechanics since it may cause further damage to the hard drive.
Pros:
- Can retrieve data that other methods can’t retrieve
- No cost for data recovery
Cons:
- Requires advanced technical expertise in hard drive mechanics
- May cause further damage to the hard drive
- Not applicable if the hard drive is severely damaged
- Makes the Seagate external hard drive warranty void
Why Can’t I Recover Data From Seagate External Hard Drive?
There are several reasons why data recovery can fail on Seagate external hard drives. They include:
- Physical damage to the hard drive such as scratches or cracks
- Software corruption that may make the hard drive unreadable
- Virus and malware attacks that can damage files and prevent access to data
- Inconsistent power supply which may cause damage to the hard drive and prevent access to data
Fixes:
- Use data recovery software to recover data
- Use Seagate data recovery services for physically damaged hard drives
- Use anti-virus software to remove malware and viruses
- Use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to stabilize power supply
Implications and Recommendations
Data recovery from Seagate external hard drives can be successful if the right methods are used depending on the cause of data loss. However, it’s important to note that data recovery methods may not always be successful especially if the hard drive is physically damaged and has exceeded the lifespan. Here are some recommendations and implications:
- Backup important data regularly to prevent data loss
- Use data recovery software as the first method of data recovery
- Seek professional data recovery services for physically damaged hard drives
- Protect your Seagate external hard drive from physical damage, virus attacks, and inconsistent power supply
5 FAQs about Seagate External Hard Drive Data Recovery
Q1: Can I recover data from a physically damaged Seagate external hard drive?
A: Yes, you can recover data from a physically damaged Seagate external hard drive by using Seagate data recovery services. However, it’s important to note that the success rate of data recovery is dependent on the extent of physical damage.
Q2: Can data recovery software damage my Seagate external hard drive?
A: No, data recovery software doesn’t have the capability to damage your hard drive.
Q3: Can I recover data from a Seagate external hard drive that has exceeded its lifespan?
A: No, you cannot recover data from a Seagate external hard drive that has exceeded its lifespan. The lifespan varies depending on various factors such as usage and storage conditions.
Q4: How much does it cost to recover data from a Seagate external hard drive?
A: The cost of data recovery from Seagate external hard drives varies depending on the cause of data loss and the type of data recovery method used. Using data recovery software is cheaper compared to professional data recovery services.
Q5: Why should I backup my data regularly?
A: Regular backing up of your data prevents loss of data in case of unexpected events such as theft, virus attacks, or hardware malfunction. It also ensures easy access to your data.
In Conclusion
Seagate external hard drives are valuable storage devices for keeping important data. However, they can malfunction or get damaged leading to data loss. In this blog post, we have explored different methods to recover data from Seagate external hard drives such as using data recovery software, Seagate data recovery services, CMD, and manual recovery. We have also listed the reasons why data recovery can fail on Seagate external hard drives and their fixes, implications and recommendations, and FAQs about Seagate data recovery. We hope this guide will be helpful in your data recovery journey.