A software developer in London encountered a catastrophic failure with their M.2 NVMe SSD, which suddenly stopped being recognized by their laptop. The drive contained crucial development projects, source code, and personal files, making data recovery essential. After multiple unsuccessful troubleshooting attempts, the client turned to Advanced Data Recovery, London’s best data recovery company, with 25 years of experience, for professional assistance.
The Problem
The M.2 NVMe SSD failure was caused by:
- Power Failure or Controller Malfunction:
- The SSD was completely dead, suggesting an issue with the NAND controller or PCB (Printed Circuit Board).
- Firmware Corruption:
- A corrupted firmware module might have prevented the SSD from initialising properly.
- No Backup:
- The developer had no external backups, making recovery critical.
The Data Recovery Process by Advanced Data Recovery
Step 1: Initial Assessment
The team performed a detailed evaluation:
- Physical Inspection:
- The drive was checked for burn marks, damaged connectors, or PCB issues.
- Diagnostic Testing:
- The SSD was connected to specialized forensic data recovery tools but was not detected at all.
- Power and Controller Testing:
- The drive was checked for voltage fluctuations, controller response, and NAND chip activity.
Step 2: Repair and Recovery Techniques
Since the drive was completely unresponsive, the team proceeded with specialized recovery techniques:
- Controller Bypass & NAND Chip Access:
- Using advanced recovery tools, the team bypassed the SSD’s controller and accessed the raw NAND chips directly.
- Chip-Off Recovery Method:
- The NAND memory chips were carefully desoldered and read using a dedicated NAND chip reader.
- Firmware and Wear-Levelling Reconstruction:
- The SSD’s firmware algorithms were reconstructed to correctly align fragmented data stored across NAND cells.
Step 3: Data Extraction
- Rebuilding the Logical Structure:
- Once raw data was extracted from the NAND chips, it was decrypted and reconstructed to restore file structures.
- Data Validation and Error Correction:
- Proprietary tools were used to repair any corrupted sectors and ensure file integrity.
Step 4: Validation and Delivery
- Integrity Check:
- The recovered files were tested to ensure they were usable and complete.
- Secure Data Transfer:
- The extracted data was transferred to a new SSD and securely delivered to the client.
Challenges Faced
- Total SSD Failure:
- With no response from the SSD, direct NAND chip recovery was the only viable solution.
- Firmware Reconstruction Complexity:
- Many modern SSDs use advanced wear-levelling algorithms, requiring specialized tools to rebuild logical data structures.
- Time-Sensitive Recovery:
- The developer needed the recovered data urgently to meet software project deadlines.
Outcome
Edinburgh Data Recovery successfully:
- Recovered 95% of the data, including all critical software development files and personal documents.
- Delivered the recovered files within 5 days, minimizing disruption to the client’s work.
- Provided recommendations for regular cloud backups and a RAID system for redundancy.
Lessons Learned
- Backup Regularly:
- Cloud storage or external SSD backups can prevent catastrophic data loss.
- SSD Failure Can Be Sudden:
- Unlike traditional hard drives, SSDs often fail without warning due to controller issues.
- Seek Professional Help Immediately:
- DIY recovery attempts on M.2 NVMe SSDs can cause permanent data loss.
Why Choose Edinburgh Data Recovery?
- 25 Years of Experience: Extensive expertise in SSD, NAND, and controller-level data recovery.
- Advanced Tools & Techniques: Proprietary technology for bypassing dead controllers and recovering raw NAND data.
- Fast Turnaround: Emergency recovery services tailored to urgent business and personal needs.
- Secure Data Handling: Industry-standard protocols to ensure the safety and confidentiality of recovered data.
This case highlights Advanced Data Recovery’s expertise in resolving complex M.2 SSD failures, ensuring clients regain access to their critical files quickly and securely.