When a hard drive starts to go bad, many users would begin to look for their own fixes to save money and solve the problem on their own. There may be some people who are experienced and knowledgeable in fixing a hard drive, but most are simply looking on the internet for answers and attempting to do things by their selves. This is clearly not a good idea.

Data recovery is a task that requires in-depth knowledge, skills, and experience. This is why DIY data recovery can be a very bad idea. Here are some DIY techniques most people use that are definitely just a bunch of no-nos.

• Using data recovery software

For most people, this is the cheapest course of action. However, it may not be the most ideal action to take.

Using data recovery software on the same system where you have lost data is one of the most dangerous things to do when attempting to recover your data. Doing this will only write more data to your drive and will further cause damage to your lost or deleted files. Actions like downloading the software files and running a scan can wipe out files that might have been recoverable with the right method.

• Turning off and on

Turning your system off and on as a data recovery method is considered as an IT joke. It is simply the complete opposite of what you should do to effectively recover your data.

When you think that you have lost your data, the best thing to do is to turn your system off and refrain from turning it on again until a professional hard drive recovery team has told you so.

When your system is on, it continues to write data to your hard drive. This means that while it is on, it has the potential to overwrite your lost data. Therefore, it is best to refrain from using your system, turn it off, and seek professional help.

• Opening the drive

Hard drives are delicate, complex devices. A small dust, scratch, or dent can cause significant harm to the system and can make recovery totally impossible, even for professionals. To make sure that your data stays safe and recoverable, leave all the work to the experts who can actually do the job.

• Putting the drive in a freezer

This is an old hard drive recovery myth, but some people still use this method out of desperation. Certainly, this is a big no-no. As soon as you take your drive out of the freezer, condensation will take place. With condensation, water will appear on your drive, causing damage to your system.

The Best Course of Action

The best and safest course of action to take to save your lost or deleted data is to seek professional help from a reputable hard drive recovery company. Professionals can examine your drive, diagnose the problems, and advise on the best available options for you to take.