Can you recover data after a system crash?
Can you recover data after a system crash?
The proper approach is to inform the customer about their results before proceeding with any repairs, particularly concerning hard drives and the data they contain. Even if the drive was non-functional, they should have been given a chance to decide whether to install a new one or take their system for further examination. Losing crucial data without backups is distressing. Good luck. Cheers.
Just one inquiry—when the hard drive fails, was there a notification about the replacement part, its specifications, and price?
The direct response is NO, they are not mutually exclusive. The situation seems to point toward a hardware issue (SSD or HDD). If the information was changed, chances are the data is lost. There was no offer to exchange the storage unit prior to installation.
You might consider using tools such as PC INSPECTOR or File Recovery. These can sometimes retrieve data from devices, though it may cost between $500 and several thousand dollars. The specific SSD or HDD type depends on the brand and model.
Ironically, the employee informed me that I would need to order a new hard drive if the OS reinstall didn’t work. The details came through a phone call from someone who wasn’t present in the shop at the time—he was driving. He mentioned the data was already lost and the staff member was already installing the new system.
They never mentioned it was dead, at least they didn't use that term. They stated the OS had "crashed" and the hard drive was "empty". They also never indicated their intention to replace the hard drive, only that they were installing a new OS and would consider replacing it only if necessary.
Reinstalling Windows onto what seems to be a faulty storage drive will inevitably result in the same issue you're facing today. As @helpstar mentioned, costly data recovery options might attempt to salvage information from the device, but overwriting with a fresh Windows installation would further complicate any chances of success. It's time to think about using a different storage option and implementing a more reliable backup method moving forward.
They might have recommended using data recovery software before erasing the drive. The issue is that once the data is overwritten with new information, it often becomes permanently lost. Some parts of the drive might still be salvageable, though the chances are limited. It could be worth a shot!