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Ultimate Guide to External Hard Drive Recovery: Tips and Techniques

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An external drive is a portable storage device that enables users to store and retrieve vast quantities of data, such as documents, images, movies, and music. It makes it straightforward to back up essential data and move files across devices. Despite their use, external hard drives are not immune to data loss.

Losing essential data from an external hard drive can be an unpleasant and stressful experience, particularly if the data is difficult to replace or recover. Fortunately, various disk recovery solutions are available to avoid data loss and recover erased information. This article will explore all the proper methods for external hard drive recovery. Let’s get started!

Common Causes of External Hard Drive Failures

External hard drives are useful devices for storing and accessing significant volumes of data. However, they are prone to various issues that might lead them to malfunction and destroy your data.

Here are some of the most prevalent reasons for external hard drive failures, as well as how they can influence your device:

  • Physical damage: Dropping your external hard drive, spilling liquid, or exposing it to severe temperatures or humidity might harm the outside casing or the drive’s internal components. Therefore, your computer can not detect the drive, make unusual sounds, or not spin at all.
  • Software issues: The issue might not always be with the hardware but with the software on your computer or external hard drive. For example, if you have a virus or malware infection, it might damage or prohibit you from accessing the contents on your disk. If your drivers are old or incompatible, you can encounter problems or poor performance while connecting your drive to your computer.
  • Accidental deletion: Deleting or formatting the disk or its partitions is one of the most typical human mistakes that can lead to external hard drive failure. This can occur if you misidentify your external drive as another device, use a third-party program that wipes your disk, or press the incorrect button.
  • Clicking or beeping noise: A clicking or beeping noise emanating from your external hard disk frequently indicates a mechanical breakdown. The phenomenon indicates that the head that reads and writes data on the drive’s platters is faulty or damaged. This can occur because of normal wear and tear, manufacturing flaws, power surges, or physical shocks.
  • Malware: Malware is harmful software that can infect your computer or external hard drive and create a variety of difficulties. Some viruses will encrypt your data and demand payment to unlock it, but others can erase or change your files without your knowledge.
  • Data corruption: Data corruption is the loss or change of data because of various circumstances, such as software faults, power outages, faulty sectors, incorrect shutdowns, or human mistakes. Individual files or whole partitions on your external hard drive might get corrupted, rendering them inaccessible or useless by your computer.

How To Recover Data From an External Hard Drive

Users have several options for recovering an external hard drive. This section discusses the one that best suits your situation and is most convenient.

Best External Hard Drive Recovery Software – Wondershare Recoverit

Wondershare Recoverit is one of the top external hard drive recovery software options. It is a robust and dependable program for recovering data from damaged, formatted, or destroyed external hard disks.

It supports over 1000 file types and can recover data from various conditions, including unintentional loss, virus attacks, system breakdown, power outages, etc. It also boasts a good recovery rate and a user-friendly UI.

Key Features of Wondershare Recoverit

Here are a few of its specifications and characteristics that you should know about:

  • Recover data from external hard drives of all varieties, including HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, SD card, etc. More than 2000 storage devices are supported.
  • Recover data from various file systems, including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, HFS+, and APFS.
  • Recover data from various situations, including the recovery of deleted files, the recovery of the recycle container, the recovery of formatted disks, etc. Supports 500+ different data loss scenarios.
  • Recover various file categories, including photographs, videos, audio, documents, emails, and archives.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Data Using Recoverit

Let’s look at the step-by-step guide to external hard drive recovery using Wondershare Recoverit data recovery:

Step 1: Download and Install Recoverit on your computer by downloading it from the official website. Launch the application.

Step 2: In the program interface, select the external hard drive under External Devices from which you wish to recover deleted files, and the scanning process will start automatically.

Step 3: All found contents on the examined drive will be displayed in File Path in the window after scanning.

Step 4: You can view original file identifiers or preview some file types, such as vidoes, images and documents, to confirm whether it is the file you’re trying to recover. Click Recover to retrieve the selected files.

DIY External Hard Drive Fixes

Here are some of the DIY external hard drive fixes that you can try for yourself:

CHKDSK Command

This Windows command can check and repair errors on your external hard drive. To use it, follow these steps:

Step 1: In the Start menu’s search bar, enter cmd (Command Prompt), then select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type chkdsk and press Enter.

Note: CHKDSK will scan for drive errors and notify you if any need to be repaired, but it will not attempt to correct them unless given explicit instructions.

First Aid – Disk Utility

This Mac utility can verify and fix external hard drive errors. Follow these steps to use:

Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your Mac and ensure the system recognizes it.

Step 2: Launch Disk Utility from the Applications > Utilities folder.

Step 3: Choose your external hard drive from the sidebar and select the First Aid icon at the top of the page.

Step 4: To initiate the verification and repair process, click Run. This will scan for errors on your external hard drive and attempt to repair them.

Note: Check the functionality of your external hard drive after the process is complete.

Driver Update/Reinstallation

Sometimes, the issue with your external hard drive could result from outmoded or corrupt drivers on your computer. Follow these instructions to update or reinstall the driver software:

Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your computer and ensure the system recognizes it.

Step 2: Press Win+X and then select Device Manager from the menu to launch the Device Manager.

Step 3: Right-click your external hard drive after expanding the Disk devices category. Choose Update Driver from the context menu.

Note 1: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the most recent driver for your external hard drive.

Note 2: If updating the driver does not work, you can attempt to delete and reinstall it. To accomplish this, right-click the external hard drive in Device Manager and choose Uninstall device from the context menu. Confirm the action, then resume the system. When you reconnect, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver for your external hard drive.

Assistance from External Hard Drive Recovery Service Provider

If none of the previous solutions work, or if your external hard drive is physically damaged, you might need to seek expert help from a supplier of external hard drive recovery services. These professionals have specific equipment and procedures for recovering data from damaged or inaccessible external hard drives.

Increase Chances of Recovering External Hard Drive

Data loss on an external hard drive can be a painful and stressful experience, but there are numerous actions you can take to improve your chances of retrieving lost data. Here are some preventative measures you can take to keep external hard drive data loss from becoming permanent:

  • Don’t Delay: It’s critical to respond quickly if you discover data loss on your external hard disk. The longer you wait, the more probable the lost data will be overwritten or permanently lost. As a result, it’s critical to move promptly and begin the recuperation process as soon as feasible.
  • Use the best software – Recoverit: To improve your chances of successful data recovery, choose dependable and effective software like Wondershare Recoverit. It’s a sophisticated tool with many scanning modes and innovative algorithms for recovering lost data from external hard disks. Using reputable software such as Recoverit can help you recover your data quickly and effectively.
  • Prevent overwriting: Overwriting is a method of permanently erasing lost data from an external hard disk. Stop using the external hard drive when you detect data loss to avoid this. Save no new files or applications to the disk since this would overwrite the lost data and render it unrecoverable. Also, properly remove the external hard drive from the computer and keep it somewhere safe and dry until the recovery procedure is finished.

Conclusion

External hard drive recovery is critical for preventing data loss caused by various factors. They may include physical damage, unintentional deletion, virus, or data corruption. Properly managing and storing the external hard drive is essential to minimize data loss and avoid exposure to high temperatures, moisture, or physical damage.

In the event of data loss, acting quickly and utilizing a reputable recovery program such as Wondershare Recoverit might boost your chances of recovering the lost data. It is critical not to overwrite the data and to cautiously handle the external hard drive until the recovery procedure is complete.

In Tekedia Capital deal room, we have ten startups to breed to the level of unicorns; JOIN

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In the deal room, we have ten startups to breed to the level of tech unicorns (companies worth at least $1 billion). Join us and provide your farm input because at Tekedia Capital, our mission is to build Africa’s next best companies. This investment cycle ends Nov 14, 2023. Become a member of our Syndicate .

Tekedia Capital offers a specialty investment vehicle (or investment syndicate) which makes it possible for citizens, groups and organizations to co-invest in innovative startups and young companies in Africa and around the world. Capital from these investing entities is pooled together and then invested in a specific company or companies.

Refik Anadol NFT collaboration with Brazilian tribe yields $3.9M, Reddit to sunset its blockchain-based reward service

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Refik Anadol, a renowned Turkish media artist, has collaborated with the indigenous Kayapo tribe of Brazil to create a series of unique NFT artworks that celebrate their culture and history. The project, titled “Kayapo: Guardians of the Forest”, was launched on October 15th on the SuperRare platform and has already generated over $3.9 million in sales in just one week.

The NFT collection consists of 10 pieces, each featuring a different aspect of the Kayapo’s way of life, such as their rituals, dances, crafts, and environmental activism. The artworks are based on Anadol’s signature style of using artificial intelligence and machine learning to transform data into stunning visuals. In this case, the data comes from the tribe’s own archive of photos, videos, and audio recordings, as well as satellite imagery of their territory in the Amazon rainforest.

Anadol said he was inspired by the Kayapo’s resilience and wisdom in preserving their ancestral lands and traditions in the face of threats from deforestation, mining, and climate change. He said he wanted to use his art to raise awareness and support for their cause, as well as to honor their rich and diverse heritage. He also said he was humbled by the opportunity to collaborate with them and learn from their knowledge and values.

The Kayapo tribe, which numbers around 9,000 people, is one of the largest and most influential indigenous groups in Brazil. They have been fighting for decades to protect their rights and their environment from encroachment and exploitation by outsiders. They have also been actively involved in the global movement for indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice.

The NFT project is part of a larger initiative called “Kayapo Futures”, which aims to empower the tribe with digital tools and platforms to preserve and share their culture, as well as to generate income and resources for their communities. The initiative is led by the Kayapo Cultural Association (AKA), a non-profit organization that represents the tribe’s interests and needs. AKA partnered with Anadol and SuperRare to create and distribute the NFT artworks.

According to AKA, 80% of the proceeds from the NFT sales will go directly to the tribe, while 20% will be used to cover the costs of the project and support AKA’s ongoing work. The funds will be used for various purposes, such as improving health care, education, communication, and infrastructure for the Kayapo villages; supporting their environmental monitoring and protection activities; and promoting their cultural preservation and expression.

The NFT project has received widespread acclaim and attention from both the art world and the crypto community. Many collectors have praised the artistic quality and innovation of the artworks, as well as the social impact and significance of the collaboration. Some of the pieces have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars each, with one piece fetching over $1 million.

The project has also sparked a debate about the ethical and environmental implications of NFTs, which are often criticized for their high carbon footprint and potential exploitation of artists and communities. Anadol and AKA have addressed these concerns by stating that they have taken measures to minimize the environmental impact of the project, such as using renewable energy sources and offsetting emissions. They have also stressed that they have followed ethical principles and best practices to ensure a fair and respectful collaboration between the artist and the tribe.

“Kayapo: Guardians of the Forest” is an example of how NFTs can be used as a powerful tool for artistic expression, cultural preservation, social change, and economic empowerment. It is also a testament to the vision and talent of Refik Anadol, who has once again pushed the boundaries of art and technology with his groundbreaking work.

Reddit to sunset its blockchain-based reward service as Yuga Labs focusses on building Otherside Meta

Reddit, the popular social media platform, has announced that it will be discontinuing its experimental Community Points program, which was based on blockchain technology. The program, which was launched in May 2020, allowed users to earn and spend cryptocurrency tokens on Reddit’s Ethereum-based Rinkeby testnet. The tokens could be used to buy special memberships, badges, and other features on select subreddits.

According to Reddit, the decision to sunset the Community Points program was based on several factors, including user feedback, technical challenges, and regulatory uncertainties. Reddit stated that the program did not achieve its intended goals of fostering more engagement, quality content, and community governance on the platform. Moreover, Reddit faced difficulties in scaling the program to its millions of users, as well as complying with the complex and evolving laws and regulations around cryptocurrencies.

Reddit also acknowledged that the Community Points program had some positive impacts, such as introducing many users to the concept and potential of blockchain technology, as well as creating a sense of ownership and belonging among some communities. Reddit thanked the users who participated in the program and provided valuable feedback and suggestions. Reddit also assured the users that their existing Community Points balances will not be affected by the discontinuation of the program, and that they will be able to access and transfer their tokens until December 31, 2023.

Reddit said that it will continue to explore new ways to empower its users and communities, and that it remains open to experimenting with blockchain technology in the future. Reddit also invited developers and innovators who are interested in collaborating with Reddit on blockchain-related projects to reach out to them.

In a different shift, Yuga Labs, the company behind the popular NFT project Bored Ape Yacht Club, has announced a major restructuring that will see it focus on developing its new metaverse platform, Otherside. In a blog post published over the weekend, Yuga Labs CEO Daniel Alegre explained the rationale behind the decision and what it means for the future of the company and its community.

According to Daniel Alegre, Yuga Labs has been working on Otherside for over a year, and it is now ready to launch it to the public. Otherside is described as a “social and creative metaverse” where users can explore, create, and interact with each other using their NFT avatars. Daniel Alegre said that Otherside will be compatible with any NFT project that meets certain standards, and that it will offer a variety of features and experiences for users to enjoy.

Daniel Alegre also revealed that as part of the restructuring, Yuga Labs will spin off its NFT division into a separate entity, called Yuga Art. Yuga Art will be responsible for managing and expanding the Bored Ape Yacht Club and its sister projects, such as Mutant Ape Yacht Club and Bored Ape Kennel Club. Gekko said that Yuga Art will continue to innovate and deliver value to its loyal collectors and fans, and that it will collaborate with Yuga Labs on integrating its NFTs into Otherside.

Daniel Alegre concluded his blog post by thanking the Yuga Labs team and the community for their support and trust and expressing his excitement for the future of the company and its projects. He said that he believes that Otherside will be a game-changer for the NFT space and the metaverse industry, and that he invites everyone to join him on this journey.

FTX agreed to pay Riot Games and Tomorrowland nearly $100M

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“League of Legends” creator Riot Games agreed to take nearly $100 million from FTX, court documents presented as evidence at Sam Bankman-Fried’s criminal trial show. The company also decided to give the Tomorrowland music festival about $42 million through 2026.

The sponsorship agreement, which was announced on October 18, 2022, will last for seven years and will include FTX branding on the LCS broadcast, digital platforms, and in-game assets. FTX will also sponsor the Most Improved Player Award and the LCS Finals MVP Award, as well as create custom content and experiences for fans.

According to court documents that were submitted as part of the ongoing criminal case against FTX’s founder and CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, Riot Games agreed to receive nearly $100 million from FTX in exchange for various sponsorship and marketing rights. The documents also show that Riot Games agreed to sponsor the Tomorrowland music festival, one of the largest electronic dance music events in the world, with about $42 million over a period of five years.

This news comes as a shock to many fans and observers of the gaming and crypto industries, as Riot Games had previously maintained a low profile regarding its involvement with FTX. The deal was reportedly signed in late 2022, shortly before Bankman-Fried was arrested by the US authorities on charges of money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion. Bankman-Fried is accused of using FTX to facilitate illegal transactions and evade taxes on billions of dollars’ worth of crypto assets. He is currently awaiting trial in a federal prison.

The court documents reveal that Riot Games agreed to grant FTX exclusive naming rights to its League of Legends esports tournaments, such as the World Championship, the Mid-Season Invitational, and the All-Star Event. FTX also gained access to Riot Games’ global fan base, which numbers in the hundreds of millions, through various digital and physical activations. Additionally, Riot Games agreed to integrate FTX’s logo and branding into its game client, website, social media, and merchandise.

The deal also involved Riot Games sponsoring the Tomorrowland music festival with FTX’s funds. The festival, which takes place annually in Belgium and attracts millions of attendees and viewers, features some of the most prominent artists and DJs in the electronic music scene. Riot Games agreed to provide FTX with prominent exposure at the festival, such as on-stage banners, video screens, and live streams. Riot Games also agreed to create exclusive content and experiences for Tomorrowland fans, such as virtual concerts, games, and giveaways.

The deal between Riot Games and FTX is one of the largest and most controversial partnerships in the history of gaming and crypto. It raises many questions about the ethics and legality of such arrangements, especially in light of Bankman-Fried’s criminal charges. It also poses a challenge for Riot Games’ reputation and credibility among its loyal fans and customers, who may feel betrayed or deceived by the company’s involvement with FTX.

FTX is not the only cryptocurrency company that is investing in the esports industry. Earlier this year, Crypto.com signed a $175 million deal with ESL, the world’s largest esports company, to become the exclusive cryptocurrency and NFT partner of several major tournaments, including ESL Pro Tour and ESL One. Crypto.com also partnered with Paris Saint-Germain, one of the most prominent soccer clubs in Europe, to launch an exclusive fan token and NFT collection.

The esports industry is not the only target for cryptocurrency sponsors. FTX has also made headlines for striking deals with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. In September 2022, FTX announced that it will be the title sponsor of Tomorrowland, one of the world’s largest electronic music festivals, which attracts over 400,000 attendees every year. FTX will have a prominent presence at the festival, which will feature a dedicated FTX stage and exclusive FTX experiences for VIP guests.

In addition, FTX has also secured a partnership with Coachella, one of the most iconic music festivals in the world, which showcases a diverse lineup of artists across various genres. FTX will be the official cryptocurrency exchange partner of Coachella 2024, which will mark the festival’s 25th anniversary. FTX will offer special perks and benefits to Coachella attendees who use its platform, such as access to exclusive lounges, meet-and-greets with artists, and priority entry to stages.

FTX’s aggressive sponsorship strategy is part of its vision to become the leading global cryptocurrency exchange and to increase its brand awareness and user base. FTX was founded in 2019 by Sam Bankman-Fried, a former Wall Street trader and a prominent figure in the crypto space.

FTX offers a wide range of products and services for crypto traders and investors, such as spot trading, futures trading, options trading, leveraged tokens, prediction markets, NFTs, and more. FTX also operates FTX US, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange for US customers.

The Sam Bankman-Fried founded crypto exchange FTX reached a new valuation of $25 billion following a Series B funding round. This new number elevates FTX as one of the most monetarily valued crypto startups globally. The Series B funding round revealed backing from major investors such as Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, SBF is currently serving trials due to role played on event and after implosion of FTX and Alameda Research in November 2022.

The funding round attracted investments from some of the most influential celebrities and entrepreneurs in the world, such as Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen, Kevin Durant, Ashton Kutcher, Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, and Mark Cuban. FTX has also donated over $10 million to various charitable causes, such as COVID-19 relief efforts, animal welfare organizations, and environmental initiatives.

VanEck lays out themes defining this Crypto Bear Market

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The cryptocurrency market has been in a downward trend since May, when a series of negative events triggered a massive sell-off. The market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies has fallen by more than 50% from its peak of over $2.5 trillion, and many investors are wondering if the crypto winter is here to stay.

We will explore some of the key themes that are defining this crypto bear market, and how they affect the outlook for the industry. We will also share some insights from our portfolio manager, who oversees the VanEck Vectors Digital Assets Equity ETF (DAPP), which invests in companies that are involved in the digital asset’s ecosystem.

Theme 1: Regulatory uncertainty

One of the main factors that has contributed to the crypto market slump is the regulatory uncertainty in various jurisdictions. Many governments are still grappling with how to regulate cryptocurrencies and related activities, such as mining, trading, custody, and taxation. Some countries, such as China, have taken a harsh stance and banned crypto-related activities altogether, while others, such as the US, have adopted a more nuanced approach and issued guidance on specific aspects of the industry.

The lack of clear and consistent regulation creates challenges for both investors and businesses in the crypto space. Investors face the risk of losing access to certain platforms or services, or having their assets seized or frozen by authorities. Businesses face the risk of being shut down or fined for non-compliance or having to relocate to more favorable jurisdictions. This uncertainty also discourages innovation and adoption, as many potential users and developers may be deterred by the legal risks involved.

Our portfolio manager believes that regulation is inevitable and necessary for the crypto industry to mature and gain mainstream acceptance. He also believes that regulation can be beneficial for the industry, as it can provide clarity, legitimacy, and protection for both investors and businesses. He expects that regulators will eventually adopt a balanced and proportional approach that recognizes the potential benefits of crypto, while addressing the legitimate concerns of financial stability, consumer protection, and national security.

Theme 2: Environmental concerns

Another theme that has weighed on the crypto market is the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. Mining is the process of validating transactions and creating new coins on a blockchain network, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Mining requires a lot of computing power and electricity, which generates a significant amount of carbon emissions. According to some estimates, the annual energy consumption of Bitcoin mining is comparable to that of some medium-sized countries, such as Argentina or Norway.

The environmental impact of crypto mining has attracted criticism from various stakeholders, including environmental activists, policymakers, and institutional investors. Some prominent figures, such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have publicly expressed their concerns about the carbon footprint of crypto and withdrawn their support for certain coins. Some governments, such as China and Iran, have also cracked down on crypto mining due to its impact on the power grid and the environment.

Our portfolio manager acknowledges that crypto mining poses an environmental challenge that needs to be addressed by the industry. He also notes that there are solutions that can reduce the energy consumption and emissions of crypto mining, such as switching to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, or adopting alternative consensus mechanisms that do not rely on mining. He believes that these solutions will become more prevalent and viable over time, as the industry evolves and responds to market demand and social pressure.

Theme 3: Technological innovation

The third theme that is defining this crypto bear market is the technological innovation that is happening in the industry. Despite the market downturn, the crypto space is still witnessing rapid development and experimentation in various areas, such as decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), layer-2 solutions, interoperability protocols, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). These innovations aim to improve the functionality, scalability, usability, and diversity of the crypto ecosystem.

DeFi refers to a range of financial applications that run on decentralized platforms, such as smart contracts or blockchains. DeFi enables users to access services such as lending, borrowing, trading, investing, and insurance without intermediaries or centralized authorities. DeFi has grown exponentially in the past year, reaching over $100 billion in total value locked (TVL) at its peak in May.

NFTs are unique digital tokens that represent ownership of scarce digital assets, such as art, music, games, or collectibles. NFTs have exploded in popularity this year, generating billions of dollars in sales and attracting mainstream attention from celebrities, artists, and brands.

Layer-2 solutions are technologies that aim to improve the scalability and performance of blockchain networks by moving some transactions or computations off-chain. Layer-2 solutions can reduce congestion, fees, and latency on the main chain, while preserving its security and decentralization. Layer-2 solutions are especially relevant for Ethereum, which is facing bottlenecks due to its high demand and limited capacity.

Interoperability protocols are technologies that enable communication and interaction between different blockchain networks or systems. Interoperability protocols can enhance the compatibility, efficiency, and diversity of the crypto ecosystem, by allowing users to transfer value and information across various platforms and applications.

CBDCs are digital currencies that are issued and backed by central banks. CBDCs are designed to complement or replace existing forms of money, such as cash or bank deposits. CBDCs can offer advantages such as faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions, as well as greater financial inclusion and monetary policy effectiveness. CBDCs are being explored or developed by many central banks around the world, such as China, Sweden, and the Bahamas.

Our portfolio manager is optimistic about the technological innovation that is happening in the crypto industry. He believes that these innovations will create new opportunities and value for both investors and businesses in the crypto space. He also believes that these innovations will drive the adoption and growth of the crypto industry in the long term, as they address some of the key challenges and limitations of the current system.

The crypto market is going through a challenging period, as it faces various headwinds from regulation, environment, and market sentiment. However, the crypto industry is also undergoing rapid innovation and development, as it strives to improve its functionality, scalability, usability, and diversity. Our portfolio manager believes that these innovations will ultimately outweigh the challenges and lead to a brighter future for the crypto industry. He also believes that investors who have a long-term perspective and a diversified exposure to the digital assets’ ecosystem will be well-positioned to benefit from this future.