Advanced level · Module 1: Data Recovery and Secure Disposal · Lesson 2 of 4
Failing Drives
Protect data on drives that are starting to fail.
In this lesson you will
- Recognise failing drive symptoms
- Image a drive before recovery
Key concepts
SMART warningsclicking and slownessimagingminimising stress
The lesson
Warning signs: SMART warnings, clicking, very slow reads and files that will not open.
Every hour of use can make a failing drive worse. Copy the most important files first, or create a full image with tools that skip bad areas and retry later.
Work from the image rather than the original wherever possible.
Step by step
- Read SMART data from a lab drive.
- Prioritise files with the owner.
- Create an image.
- Recover from the image.
Practice activity
Image the prepared 'failing' drive and recover files from the image.
Expected result: An image created and files recovered from it.
Check your understanding
-
Why work from an image?
Show answer
To avoid further stress on the failing drive.
-
What should you copy first from a failing drive?
Show answer
The most important files.
Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.