Block erase (also referred to as “secure erase” and by other names, depending on the implementation) is an ATA command that tells the SSD’s controller to apply an erase voltage. The voltage is applied to all NAND cells of the...

We’re approaching the 70th anniversary of the hard disk drive (and despite a  popular misconception, hard drive sales are still going strong). Without HDDs, modern computing wouldn’t be possible, and when the IBM 350 was introduced in 1956, it jump-started...

Frequently, our clients will ask us about how the data recovery process works — and providing a quick answer can be difficult, because every case presents a different set of challenges.In some situations, we’re able to restore files by...

If you need to recover data from a dashcam, you’ve probably got a very good reason (and we’re guessing that it involves an insurance claim).  The good news is that dash cams aren’t magic boxes; they’re standard digital devices. They...

If your hard drive seems to “spin up,” but your computer can’t recognize it, you’ve got a problem — but in many cases, the solution is fairly straightforward (the quickest and most likely solution is to check your data connections)....

External hard drives (HDDs) are commonly used for backup and for additional storage. They provide more control over data than cloud storage services, and they’re significantly less expensive than external solid-state drives (SSD). But while external HDDs are inexpensive and...

Seagate Technology has announced a new hard drive architecture utilizing a “nanophotonic laser,” which leverages heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology to allow for extremely high capacities.  HAMR isn’t brand-new tech, and many other manufacturers are experimenting with similar lasers. If...

If you need data recovery, but you can’t quite afford it, you might consider putting your hard drive (or solid state drive, or other device) into storage until you’re able to get the money together.  Clients often ask us whether...

For years, “unsafely ejecting” a USB flash drive was a serious misstep — one that could lead to corruption and permanent data loss — but in 2024, it’s not as big of an issue.  Here’s why: Operating systems have implemented...

Flash memory isn’t as susceptible to physical damage as hard disk drives (HDDs). Even so, physical damage occurs — particularly for microSD, SD, and other media formats that are designed for portability.  If you’ve accidentally bent an SD card, the...