What you should never do if you realise that you have a hard disk problem and you wish to recover data?

1. Do not use utilities such as: SCANDISK, CHKDSK, FSCK etc., on defective storage media. The utilities’ purpose is to solve operating system problems (i.e. when the drive is not defective) and their use can make the situation worse. Be careful as most computer operating system automatically run such utilities if errors are detected.
2. Don’t expose the hard disk to extreme temperatures – you will worsen the issue and make the repair / recovery much more difficult.
3. Do not hit or shake the hard disk. There are chances to scratch or damage the platter.
4. Do not install any software utilities and do not modify the partition if you accidentally deleted data. The data may be overwritten and become not recoverable.
5. If the hard disk is emitting unusual noises, do not use it anymore as the damage can worsen.
6. Do not open the hard disk case. This type of operation should be performed only by qualified personel and in a controlled environment (no dust and controlled temperatures and humidity).
7. Do not use data recovery software. Those may overwrite the important information on the storage media. In many occasions the use of those applications may worsen the problems.