How Can I Recover My Data From My RAW Hard Drive?

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If your hard drive or partition is RAW, there are several methods available to recover your data. While some of these solutions may be inconvenient, others can be extremely helpful.

Before any recovery methods, it is imperative to create backups of all essential files. You can also scan your computer for malware which could be causing the disk to go RAW.

Causes

Hard drives or any other storage device can become RAW due to various causes, such as file system corruption, viruses, power outages or hardware issues. While this is usually a temporary issue, it can prevent you from accessing important data.

There are several methods available for recovering files from a RAW hard drive, and the first step in doing so is identifying what caused it. Common causes include file system damage, bad sectors, manufacturing defects and improper operation.

To retrieve your files, the most straightforward solution is to format the drive with an appropriate file system. This will fix a RAW hard drive and enable Windows to read its file system. However, formatting also deletes all drive partitions and any data stored within them.

Another option is using a third-party tool to recover your data. This program will scan for errors on your drive and provide you with a list of files that have been lost, along with instructions on how to recover them.

Although this approach is more intricate than the first, it can still help you retrieve all your files. Popular tools for this purpose include Stellar Data Recovery and DiskGenius; both of which are user-friendly with excellent results.

Some of the most effective methods for recovering data from a RAW hard drive include checking disk health, running a CHKDSK scan and using an S.M.A.R.T monitoring tool. These steps can help minimize the chances of your hard drive becoming RAW and safeguard any important files on it.

When a computer or other device becomes RAW, it is usually due to file system damage. This condition can occur on any type of external or internal hard drive, flash memory, or SD card.

Data loss from a RAW hard drive is usually due to file system damage, SMART errors and software malfunctioning. A drive can also become RAW if it has been infected with viruses or malware; power outages or other unexpected events that disrupt its operating system can also lead to this condition.

Formatting

Formatting issues can wreak havoc on a RAW hard drive. This could occur for various reasons, such as malware or manufacturing defects; it could even be the result of user error during the formatting process.

Thankfully, there are tools available that can help you recover your data from a damaged file system on your hard drive. These utilities also convert the drive’s file system to one of Windows-supported formats like NTFS or FAT32.

DiskGenius can scan your drive to assess whether its file system needs repair. This software will show the health of your disk in terms of colored blocks, from Excellent to Damaged.

The colored blocks represent bad sectors which could hinder data recovery if not addressed. To prevent any additional loss, be sure to back up your files before running this scan.

Another solution to fix your drive is running a command prompt and changing the file system to NTFS. This is an incredibly straightforward procedure, but make sure you type in all required commands correctly.

To begin the process, press Ctrl+Shift+R and type in “command”. Afterwards, right-tap on the prompt and select “Run as Administrator” before entering diskpart.

Once you’ve done this, type the following command to convert your raw file system into NTFS: G: /FS :NTFS. Additionally, assign a volume label for this new file system.

Once you feel secure about the safety of your data, you can attempt to recover its contents from a RAW hard drive. There are several methods for doing this; one of the simplest being Disk Management.

To do this, connect your raw drive to your computer and access the file system through Disk Management. Afterwards, use File System Explorer to copy all files and folders onto your machine – an efficient and free way of converting raw files into a Windows-compatible file system.

Removing the Drive

A hard drive can become RAW for various reasons, including improper operation, damage to the drive and virus attack. There are steps you can take to prevent your hard drive from becoming RAW.

One way to ensure the safety of all important data is creating backups and keeping them offsite. Another is regularly scanning your computer for malware; malware is often responsible for data loss and other issues, so it’s essential to protect against these dangers.

If you’re uncertain as to what caused a hard drive to become RAW, consulting a technician is recommended. They can identify any potential issues and get your device working again quickly.

When a hard drive becomes RAW, Windows usually displays an alert stating that formatting the drive is necessary before use. It may also display a window stating the drive hasn’t been recognized or doesn’t have a valid file system.

Other issues that can cause a hard drive to become RAW include poor connections or physical damage. If your hard drive has suffered physical damage, you might need to eject it safely or repair the damage with an appropriate drive repair tool.

To recover data from a RAW hard drive, the best approach is to utilize reliable recovery software. This program will scan the drive and attempt to locate all of your files.

iBoysoft Data Recovery offers an straightforward solution for recovering deleted or lost files from a RAW drive. This software can identify your RAW partition and convert it into NTFS without causing further harm to the drive.

In addition to fixing bad sectors, it can also recover files that were accidentally deleted or lost. Thanks to its advanced algorithms, it is able to complete file recovery on RAW drives within just a few clicks – significantly simplifying the process.

It’s essential to note that taking your drive away from your computer can expose it to ESD (Electromagnetic Shock Damage), which could harm its hardware components. To prevent this issue, wear an anti-static wrist strap when working with the drive.

Recovering

If your hard drive has become damaged or lost, there are several methods available for recovering data from it. One of the best solutions is using a data recovery software application which can assist in finding and recovering files from an impaired or lost file system.

The software will scan your damaged drive and locate all lost files, providing you with a list of potential restoration options that you can select from. After selecting which files to restore, the program will help restore them back onto your computer.

Unfortunately, some of these files may not be accessible by your operating system if they are in a format other than NTFS. This can be an annoying situation when trying to access important documents or photos.

Another solution is to reformat your hard drive back to a more accessible file system, such as FAT32 or exFAT. This will enable Windows to recognize the drive again and recover any missing files.

Though not as speedy and convenient as a data recovery program, partition table conversion can still be an effective method to repair your drive. This involves using specialized software to convert the existing partition table onto a new one.

TestDisk is a free and open-source program that can be used to repair a RAW hard drive by restoring its partitions. It can be downloaded from its website to identify and correct any mistakes in the partition table.

The software also offers the feature to convert the drive into an NTFS partition, making data recovery much simpler. It can back up a RAW drive so that it can be restored back to its original system – making this software ideal for anyone wanting their data back from a RAW hard drive without compromising security.

Vlad Tabaranu
Vlad Tabaranu
Vlad Tabaranu is a highly experienced computer and laptop repair engineer with over 20 years of expertise in the IT industry. Vlad's dedication to top-quality IT services has earned him significant recognition. He has been ranked among the top 3 computer repair services in Birmingham since 2018. He's also been awarded the Corporate LiveWire's Birmingham Prestige Awards 2019 for Best in Independent Computer Repair Services and the Central England Prestige Awards 2021/2022 for Computer Repair Service of the Year.
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