Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1076412
27 for logical failure include malware, bad or degraded software sectors, overworking the drive, improper ejection during data transfer, or the deletion of necessary system files. Prior to a complete partition crash, users may notice sluggish behavior from their device, a high number of read/write errors, and frequent unprompted mounting and un-mounting of the drive. If the problem drive is acting as a computer's primary boot drive, regular lockups and computer crashes are another warning sign. When logical failure occurs, connected storage devices will usually still power on and light up but will not mount and will appear to be absent from the computer's Finder (macOS) or Explorer (Windows). If the user opens the macOS Disk Utility or Windows Disk Management system, the problematic unit will still appear in the list of connected devices. Before attempting any direct troubleshooting steps, users should check a device's manual or product support page and make sure that any necessary firmware or drivers have been installed on their computer. Failing that, macOS users can open the Disk Utility application and use it to attempt partition repairs. Find the storage device that will not mount and look to see if any partitions are listed. If available, select it and click "First Aid." The software will assess the unit's file system and attempt to make repairs. If it is successful, the computer will automatically mount the repaired storage device, allowing the user to access their files. Similarly, Windows users can make use of the Windows Partition Recovery Wizard. This program will scan the storage device for any corrupted or lost partitions and, if found, will attempt repairs. If partition recovery is successful, it is highly advised that all data on the drive or card be copied to another storage medium immediately so as to avoid the risk of data loss again in the future. In more complex cases where more substantial damage to the partition has occurred, repair may not be possible. Simply creating a new partition will not recover the files contained within the original and could, in fact, overwrite valuable data that has become inaccessible. At this point, if recovery is essential, it becomes necessary to bypass the partition altogether. There are several pieces of software available that can perform this task. The two that I have personally used to the best results are Stellar Data Recovery ($79.99 USD) and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard ($89.95 USD). Both applications can scan storage devices sector by sector and locate files within the damaged partition. Once located, said files can be recovered and transferred to a second external storage device. Due to the fact that the software works around standard operating system to partition communication systems, scans and recovery periods can be quite time-consuming. Larger capacity drives containing multiple terabytes of information can require scans of more than twenty-four hours. On a more positive note, both companies allow users to try before they buy. A free trial is available for both, which will allow users to scan and preview their recoverable files before spending money— eliminating the concern of spending without any guarantee that data will be found. This method can also be used to recover files that were accidentally deleted by a user—a mistake that occurs far more frequently than actual device faults. Mechanical drive failure occurs when there is a physical issue with a storage device. It can occur due to manufacturer error, physical degradation, or damage. When plugged into a computer, devices suffering from mechanical failure may not be discoverable at all. Though less prevalent than logical failure, mechanical failure is far more difficult to troubleshoot and best practice is to take steps to prevent it altogether. There are two subsets of mechanical failure: electrical failure and bad sector failure. Electrical failure occurs when the drive does not receive the necessary power to run properly. Oftentimes, the device will not power on at all, though it may generate heat if it remains plugged in. If this is the case, remove all power cables immediately as heat buildup can result in further damage and, in extreme cases, fire. Impact damage, such as a fall or drop can disrupt electrical flow, resulting in electrical failure. It can also happen as the result of a power surge, which can burn out the circuitry of the device in a manner that prevents electricity from reaching the whole of the unit. To avoid this, it is best to always run devices in conjunction with a surge-protected uninterruptable power supply, such as APC's Backup Battery ($169.99 USD). When using memory cards or external hard drives, damage to the connector cables, card readers, or drive enclosures can present as electrical failure. For memory cards, it is always advisable to try using a second card reader before assuming electrical failure. In the case of external drives, users with the correct tools can open a drive's enclosure, extract the unit inside, and attempt to mount it using another enclosure or mounting system, such as the iDsonix Hard Drive Docking Station ($20.99 USD). The second subset of mechanical failure, bad sector failure, is a worst-case scenario. It is what occurs when the We rely on digital storage almost as much as we rely on craft services but there is a very real danger of drive failure, data corruption, and loss of work. " "