A client had been using an Iomega external hard drive without any issues but recently decided to transfer all stored data to a new hard drive. The goal was to safely extract all files from the old Iomega drive and store them in a secure location before installing the new storage device.
However, every time the client attempted to copy data, the computer would crash unexpectedly. This is a common sign of a failing external hard drive requiring data recovery—especially with older Iomega drives. The client managed to transfer 10GB of data, but with 250GB still left on the drive, further attempts caused the system to freeze or completely crash.
Lacking advanced technical knowledge and fearing data loss or file corruption, the client sought professional hard drive recovery services from Manchester Data Recovery, a specialist company with over 25 years of experience in retrieving data from failing external drives.
Challenges
- System Crashes During Data Transfer – The Iomega drive caused the PC to freeze or shut down mid-transfer.
- Partial Data Extraction – Only 10GB of 260GB had been successfully copied, with the remaining files still inaccessible.
- Potential Hard Drive Issues – The drive might have bad sectors, file system corruption, or failing hardware. Manchester Data Recovery’s diagnostics revealed this was a classic case of external hard drive failure needing urgent intervention.
- Client Needed Full Data Recovery Without Corruption – Ensuring 100% safe extraction of all files was critical.
Solution by Manchester Data Recovery
Upon receiving the Iomega external hard drive, Manchester Data Recovery’s expert engineers implemented a structured forensic recovery process. As specialists in hard drive data recovery services, we followed these steps:
✅ Drive Diagnosis & Stability Testing – Engineers examined the drive’s health, identifying bad sectors and unstable read areas that caused system crashes.
✅ Sector-Level Cloning & Imaging – A sector-by-sector clone of the failing drive was created using specialized forensic tools, preventing further crashes during data extraction.
✅ Bad Sector Handling & File Recovery – Advanced tools were used to bypass damaged areas, reconstructing fragmented files without corruption.
✅ Corrupt File System Repair – The drive’s file system was repaired to restore access to previously unreadable files.
✅ Secure Data Transfer – All 60GB of data was safely extracted and transferred to a new, stable external storage device.
Results & Client Impact
- 100% of data successfully recovered without corruption
- Crashes prevented by extracting files from a drive clone instead of the failing disk
- Client was able to transfer all data to the new hard drive without issues
- Recommendations provided for safe data migration & backup strategies
The client was highly satisfied, as Manchester Data Recovery successfully restored all critical files and prevented permanent data loss, allowing a smooth transition to the new hard drive.
Conclusion
This case highlights the risks of failing external drives and how bad sectors or corrupt file systems can cause PC crashes during data transfer. Attempting to manually copy data from a failing drive can worsen damage or lead to permanent loss.
For individuals facing crashes, unreadable files, or slow data transfers from external drives, Manchester Data Recovery provides expert solutions to safely recover and protect important files.
👉 Is your Iomega external hard drive crashing? Manchester Data Recovery can recover 100% of your files. Contact our hard drive recovery service today!