Solid State Drive (SSD) is a storage medium based on flash memory technology, which provides faster read/write speeds, lower power consumption, and greater shock resistance than traditional mechanical hard disks (HDDs). SSDs utilize NAND-type flash memory chips to store data, and there is no mechanical structure, which makes the data transmission more rapid and stable.
As SSDs gradually replace traditional mechanical hard disks with their superior speed and reliability, how to recover data from SSDs efficiently and securely has become a hot topic. In this article, we will discuss the principles, challenges and practical strategies of SSD data recovery in depth, aiming to help readers understand this complex process and master basic data recovery techniques.
Why Is It Difficult to Recover Data from SSD Drive?
How to recover data from SSD drive is more challenging because of its unique data storage mechanism and Wear Leveling technology. Unlike the physical track recording method of HDD, the data storage location in SSD is dynamically adjusted to equalize the number of erasures of the flash block, which results in the distribution of data at the physical level becoming very random.
In addition, the introduction of the TRIM command marks blocks occupied by deleted files as available, potentially emptying the data instantly in the background, making recovery more difficult.
Can Overwritten SSD Data Be Recovered?
Theoretically, once the data on an SSD has been overwritten by new data, recovery will become extremely difficult or even impossible, as the characteristics of SSDs make it difficult to reorganize the data through disk fragmentation like HDDs do after data erasure.
However, if the data is marked as overwritable but not yet actually occupied by new data, recovery is still possible through professional means.
How to Recover SSD Data Due to Logical Error or Accidental Deletion
Recovering SSD data in case of logical error or accidental deletion is usually more straightforward compared to physical damage or firmware issues. SSDs commonly use the TRIM instruction to optimize performance and extend lifespan, which marks the relevant block of data as rewritable when a file is deleted, which may result in data being overwritten quickly, making recovery more difficult. If TRIM has already been executed, recovery becomes even more difficult.
Under ideal conditions, where TRIM has not been executed and the data has not been overwritten, recovery is more likely when following the correct steps using high-quality data recovery software. This is because such software is able to deeply inspect the hard disk surface and file system through efficient scanning algorithms to find data lost due to software malfunction, misuse, virus infection or accidental deletion.
They are able to recognize a wide range of file types and recover the file structure and content as completely as possible without physical intervention in the hardware, reducing the operational difficulty and cost of data recovery.
The general operation steps for using SSD professional software are as follows:
Step 1. Stop any write operations on the problematic SSD to avoid data being overwritten by new data.
Connect the SSD to a working computer. If it is a built-in SSD, make sure the computer is in safe mode or booting with an external system. If it is a mobile SSD, connect it directly to the USB port.
Step 2. Select a highly rated and compatible SSD data recovery software according to your needs, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Disk Drill.
Install the selected data recovery software on your computer and launch it. In the software interface, select the SSD drive from which you want to recover data as the scan target.
Step 3. Start the scanning process. Most software provide two modes: Quick Scan and Deep Scan. Quick Scan is for recently deleted files, while Deep Scan is for finding deeper or severely corrupted data, which is time-consuming but more comprehensive.
Step 4. After the scan is complete, the software will list the recoverable files found. Preview these files and save them to a location.
How to Recover SSD Data under Firmware Corruption
Firmware damage usually results in SSDs not working properly, manifesting itself in system recognition problems, performance degradation, abnormal behavior, etc.. If SSD data loss caused by firmware damage requires professional data recovery services, ask for help from technicians who will use specialized tools to repair the SSD’s firmware, restore communication between the controller and the storage chip, and then extract the data.
Here are a few key points and steps to help you determine whether the SSD problem is related to firmware corruption:
- System recognition issues
- The computer fails to recognize the SSD when booting up, or displays abnormally in the BIOS/UEFI setup, such as recognizing the wrong capacity, model number, or not displaying it at all.
- Frequent system blue screens and crashes, especially when accessing data on the SSD.
- Performance degradation
- SSD read and write speeds drop significantly, well below nominal speeds, or intermittent read and write errors occur.
- Slower system response, delayed application opening or file access.
- Abnormal behavior
- Abnormal capacity display, such as a sudden decrease or only part of the capacity is displayed.
- SSD enters “Safe Mode”, “Recovery Mode” or continues to reboot, attempts to repair itself but fails to do so.
- Check with diagnostic tools
- Use official SSD firmware update/detection tools, such as Intel’s SSD Toolbox, Samsung Magician Software, etc., which can detect the firmware status and indicate firmware problems.
- Perform a SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) property check. Firmware corruption may be reflected in the SMART data, such as the appearance of relevant error codes or warnings.
How Do I Recover Permanently Deleted Files from My SSD?
For data that has been flagged and possibly overwritten by the TRIM command, recovery becomes extremely difficult. However, it is not completely hopeless and you can try the following steps:
- Stop using the SSD immediately to prevent the data from being further overwritten.
- Use a professional data recovery service, they may have more advanced techniques and tools to try to recover the data.
- Evaluate the importance of the data and consider the cost to benefit ratio, sometimes the cost of data reconstruction may be much higher than the value of the data itself.
Conclusion
Despite the many challenges of how to recover data from SSD, there is still a chance to salvage valuable data through sound methods and tools combined with timely action. The key lies in preventive measures, and regular backups are the best strategy to guard against data loss. In the event of data loss, you should take the right steps quickly and seek professional help when necessary to maximize recovery success.