Forum Discussion
Help! Can I recover data from my dead laptop SSD?
Last week, my laptop suddenly crashed. The power button didn't work at all. I guess the problem should be with the motherboard or other hardware, not the SSD. But the problem is that all my important documents, photos and some work data are stored in it, and now I can't get them out at all. I'm so anxious! ðŸ˜
This SSD is NVMe. I checked online and it seems that if the SSD itself is not broken, there seems to be a way to recover the data (recover data from dead laptop). I plan to buy an NVMe to USB adapter and connect the SSD to another computer to see if I can read the data, but I don't know if this method is reliable.
In addition, if the laptop is really broken, are there any tools or professional services that can recover the data from ssd? I feel that everyone must have encountered similar situations. If you can share your experience or suggestions, I would really appreciate it!
Put off the SSD from the dead laptop and use data recovery software to retrieve deleted files from the computer. Here is a simple guide for doing this on any Windows PC: https://www.uumeo.com/recover-data-from-a-corrupted-hard-drive-on-windows
4 Replies
I completely understand your anxiety, especially when your important data is inaccessible. Fortunately, there are many ways to recover data, even if your laptop is dead. Below I will list some methods to help you recover data from a dead laptop and provide some command line tool suggestions.
Ways to recover files from dead laptop ssd:
1. Use an NVMe to USB adapter
You are already on the right track and intend to use an NVMe to USB adapter to recover data. This is a common method to recover data from a dead laptop. If the SSD itself is not broken, it may still be possible to read the data by connecting the SSD to another computer even if the laptop's motherboard is damaged.- Purchase an NVMe to USB adapter: Make sure it supports the type of NVMe SSD you are using (such as M.2, PCIe, etc.).
- Connect the SSD to another computer: Plug the SSD into the adapter and then plug it into another working computer via USB.
- Check if the SSD is recognized: If there is no problem with the SSD itself, the other computer should recognize it and you can copy the files.
This method is usually reliable, and as long as your SSD itself is not physically damaged, you can recover data from a frozen laptop.
2. Command-line tools for data recovery
If you still can't access your data after connecting through an adapter, you can consider using some command-line tools for deep data recovery. Here are some common tools:TestsDisk:
This is a powerful open source data recovery tool that supports a variety of file systems and can help you recover lost partitions or repair damaged file systems.
- Download and install TestsDisk.
- Launch TestsDisk and select the target drive (your NVMe SSD).
- Select Analyze partitions to find files or partitions that may be lost.
- Save the recovered files to another hard drive or external storage device.
3. Use a professional data recovery service
If you have tried the above methods and still can't recover your data, you may need to seek out a professional data recovery service. These services usually have more advanced tools and can recover data from severely damaged drives.- Things to note when choosing a professional service:
- Make sure the service has extensive experience in NVMe SSD recovery.
- Understand the cost and time of the service, and confirm the possibility of data recovery with the service provider in advance.
- Try to choose a reputable company to avoid data breach risks.
4. Consider the health of the drive
If the SSD itself is faulty, especially hardware-level damage such as a burned chip or serious circuit problems, it will be difficult to read even through an adapter. At this point, a professional physical data recovery service may be the last hope.
You can try to recover data from a dead laptop with an NVMe to USB adapter. If you encounter an inaccessible situation, using command-line tools such as TestsDisk may help. If all else fails, consider turning to a professional data recovery service as a last resort.I hope these suggestions can help you, and I wish you good luck in recovering your data! If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know.
Put off the SSD from the dead laptop and use data recovery software to retrieve deleted files from the computer. Here is a simple guide for doing this on any Windows PC: https://www.uumeo.com/recover-data-from-a-corrupted-hard-drive-on-windows
Sometimes, Linux can help you if Windows can't recognize the hard drive. You can use Linux (such as Ubuntu) to mount the hard drive and see if you can access the lost files. Linux is more compatible with hard drives than Windows, so this method may help you recover data from a dead laptop.
I tried to recover data from a dead laptop using Linux, but it didn't work. Even after booting up from Ubuntu and trying to mount the hard drive, the drive was still inaccessible and the data was not recovered. It seems like the hard drive failure may be more serious than I thought, and it may be a hardware problem, and Linux can't get around that.
Have you tried using command line tools or Windows' Disk Management tools to see if you can recover some data?
Sometimes, your SSD may not show up directly, but it may still be there, but the system may not have assigned it a drive letter or it may not show up properly. Try using Windows' built-in Disk Management tool! This method is simple and does not require additional software. Here are the steps:
Open Disk Management Tool
Press Win + X, then select Disk Management. Or just press Win + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter to enter Disk Management.Check if the drive is recognized
You will see a list of hard drives. Find your SSD and see if it shows up. If it does, but has no drive letter assigned, right-click it, select Change Drive Letter and Paths, and then add a drive letter.Repair a damaged partition
If your SSD shows up as "Unallocated" or "RAW," you can right-click it, select New Simple Volume, and follow the prompts to reallocate space (note that it is best to back up your data before doing so).Check the disk status
You can also right-click the SSD, select Properties, and then click Check on the Tools tab to have Windows automatically fix possible disk errors.If Disk Management can recognize your SSD, but the data cannot be accessed, you can try to back up the data. This is a basic method for you to recover data from dead laptop, which is relatively safe.
This method is to use the tools that come with Windows to deal with some basic problems. No additional software is required. It is simple and effective!
