Case study · March 2021
Laptop crashed and the most important folder would not open – all data recovered
The problem
Her notebook crashed. The hard drive still opened, but her most important folder, with years of family photos and work data, could not be accessed at all.
It was her only copy.
The result
All of her data was recovered.
She checked the recovered files from home through remote data verification before collecting them.
“Though I was able to access the drive, my most important folder couldn't be accessed at all… Thankfully Data Expert did an excellent job of recovering all my data.”
Why one folder can fail while the drive still works
When most of a drive opens but one folder gives an error, the usual causes are bad sectors under that folder's records, or damage to the file system's index (on Windows, the MFT). The rest of the drive keeps working, so it is tempting to keep using it, but bad sectors often spread.
Copying the folder again and again, or running repair tools, keeps hitting the weak area. The safer way is to image the drive first and recover the folder from the image.
If this happens to you
- Stop copying the folder again and again.
- Don't run CHKDSK or 'repair' tools on the drive.
- Copy any other important data you still can, once, then stop.
- Get the drive checked; the folder's data is usually still there.
Free diagnosis · exact price before work · no data, no fee · free pickup in Pune and PCMC, free courier from the rest of India.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does only one folder give an error?
Usually bad sectors or file-system damage in the area where that folder's records are stored. The data itself is often intact.
Can I check the files before collecting?
Yes. We can show you the recovered files remotely so you can check them from home.
Is it safe to keep using the drive?
No. A drive with bad sectors usually gets worse. Copy what you can once, then stop and get it checked.
Every recovery depends on the condition of the device. This case describes one customer's result in their own words; your diagnosis tells you what is possible for yours.