How FixDrive Restores Lost Data — Step-by-Step TutorialData loss can be stressful — whether it’s important documents, irreplaceable photos, or business records. FixDrive is a data-recovery tool designed to help recover files from damaged, corrupted, or accidentally formatted drives. This tutorial walks through how FixDrive works and provides a clear, step-by-step guide to recovering lost data safely and effectively.
What FixDrive does (brief overview)
FixDrive scans storage media to locate recoverable files, reconstructs file structures when possible, and exports recovered files to a safe location. It supports a variety of storage types (internal/external HDDs, SSDs, USB flash drives, memory cards) and common file systems (NTFS, FAT/exFAT, HFS+, APFS, ext).
Key capabilities:
- File system repair and file-level recovery
- Deep scan to find fragmented or deleted files
- Preview of recoverable files before restoration
- Safe read-only scanning to avoid further damage
Preparations — what to do before using FixDrive
- Stop using the affected drive immediately to avoid overwriting data.
- If possible, connect the affected drive to a separate working computer as a secondary drive (not the system drive).
- Prepare a different drive (external HDD/SSD or network location) with enough free space to store recovered files.
- Download and install FixDrive on a separate, healthy drive — do not install it on the drive you want to recover.
Step 1 — Install and launch FixDrive
- Download FixDrive from the official source and install it on a healthy computer or separate partition.
- Launch the application. On first run, allow any necessary permissions the software requires to access attached storage devices.
Step 2 — Select the target drive or device
- From the FixDrive main interface, select the physical drive or logical volume where data was lost. Drives are usually listed with model, capacity, and partition names to help identify them.
- If the drive is not visible, ensure it’s properly connected and powered. For external drives, try different USB ports/cables or use a powered USB hub.
Step 3 — Choose a scan mode
FixDrive typically offers multiple scan modes; choose based on the situation:
- Quick Scan: fast check for recently deleted files and recently damaged file tables. Use this first for accidental deletion or quick partition problems.
- Deep Scan (or Full Scan): thorough sector-by-sector scan to find files after formatting, severe corruption, or when quick scan fails. This takes longer but finds more files.
- File System Repair: attempts to repair partition metadata and file tables (use cautiously; prefer read-only recovery if unsure).
For most serious data loss cases, run a Quick Scan first; if results are insufficient, proceed to a Deep Scan.
Step 4 — Let FixDrive scan the drive
- Start the selected scan. Progress bars and estimated times are shown; deep scans can take hours depending on drive size.
- While the scan runs, avoid using the source drive. FixDrive performs read-only operations by default for safety.
Step 5 — Review scan results and preview files
- When the scan finishes, FixDrive displays a tree of recoverable items organized by original folder structure or by file type (pictures, documents, videos, archives).
- Use the built-in preview to inspect files (images, text documents, some video formats). Previewing confirms file integrity before recovery.
- Pay attention to file names, directory paths, and recovery quality indicators (e.g., “Good,” “Partially damaged”).
Step 6 — Select files to recover
- Tick the checkboxes next to files or folders you want to restore. For large recoveries, prioritize the most important files first.
- Avoid selecting the entire source drive as the recovery destination.
Step 7 — Choose a recovery destination
- Select a different physical drive as the recovery location — never recover files to the same damaged drive. Using the same drive risks overwriting remaining recoverable data.
- Ensure the destination has sufficient free space. Using an external SSD/HDD or a network share is recommended.
Step 8 — Recover and verify files
- Start the recovery process. FixDrive copies recovered files to the destination and displays progress.
- After completion, navigate to the destination and open several recovered files to verify they open correctly and are not corrupted.
- For partially damaged files, try specialized repair tools (e.g., image repair for photos, office document repair utilities) if necessary.
Step 9 — Post-recovery actions
- If the original drive had hardware issues (clicking, overheating, failure to mount), consider cloning important remaining sectors to an image file using a forensic imaging tool before any further attempts.
- Reformat and test the original drive if you plan to reuse it; run SMART diagnostics to check drive health.
- Keep regular backups to avoid future data loss — a 3-2-1 backup strategy is recommended (3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off-site).
Troubleshooting common problems
- Drive not detected: try different ports/cables, power sources, or a different PC. If the drive makes unusual noises, stop and consult a data-recovery professional.
- Few or corrupted files recovered: run a Deep Scan or try reconstructing partitions first. If file fragments are scattered, full recovery may be incomplete.
- Scan hangs or crashes: ensure you have the latest FixDrive version and sufficient system resources. Try scanning smaller partitions or create a drive image and scan the image instead.
When to consult a professional
- Physical damage (loud clicks, burning smell, circuit board failure).
- Unusual electronic smells or visible circuit damage.
- Extremely valuable data when software recovery fails — professional labs use clean rooms and hardware-level techniques.
Final tips and best practices
- Always recover to a different physical drive.
- Prefer read-only, non-destructive operations until a reliable copy of data is secured.
- Maintain backups and periodically verify them.
- Keep the source drive powered only as long as necessary if it shows failing behavior.
FixDrive can significantly increase the chance of recovering lost data when used carefully and methodically. Follow the steps above, prioritize safety (read-only scans, external recovery targets), and escalate to professionals for physical hardware failures.
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