Liquid Damage
Stop here. This symptom means a do-it-yourself attempt can make the case worse or destroy useful evidence.
Free first-step guidance
DIY Laptop And Computer Data Recovery: Safe First Steps
For laptops and desktops that will not boot, were deleted from, or have an internal drive that may still be readable.
- General information only
- User assumes DIY risk
- No software links
Best practices
What to do first.
- If the computer still boots and files are visible, copy the most important files to an external drive immediately.
- If the operating system will not boot, avoid reinstalling the OS over the old drive.
- If you remove the internal drive, connect it read-only if you know how, or at least avoid writing to it.
- Prioritize user folders, accounting files, photos, desktop folders, documents, project files, and email archives.
- If BitLocker, FileVault, or other encryption is involved, preserve recovery keys and passwords privately.
Avoid
Actions that commonly make recovery worse.
- Do not reinstall Windows or macOS onto the same drive before copying data.
- Do not run system reset, cleanup, defrag, repair install, or disk repair first.
- Do not keep booting a laptop that is clicking, overheating, liquid damaged, or extremely slow.
- Do not share passwords, private files, or recovery keys in chat.
Clicking Internal Drive
Stop here. This symptom means a do-it-yourself attempt can make the case worse or destroy useful evidence.
Bitlocker/Filevault Uncertainty
Stop here. This symptom means a do-it-yourself attempt can make the case worse or destroy useful evidence.
Business Records
Stop here. This symptom means a do-it-yourself attempt can make the case worse or destroy useful evidence.
Failed Repairs Or Reinstall Attempts
Stop here. This symptom means a do-it-yourself attempt can make the case worse or destroy useful evidence.
When to stop
Stop before the next attempt if the data matters.
If you are unsure, the safest free step is to stop and ask what not to do next. Do not keep testing just to prove the problem.
- Do not send passwords, private files, wallet seeds, confidential records, or drive images through chat.
- Do not pay anyone or ship anything until the case, path, and expectations are confirmed directly.
- Keep the original device unchanged until you are sure the recovered files are complete and usable.