Iomega external hard drives are commonly used for long-term family data storage and backups. However, when Windows automatically runs CHKDSK upon connection, it typically indicates file system corruption, bad sectors, or disk errors, putting stored data at risk.
This case study details how we successfully recovered 10 years’ worth of family data from an Iomega external hard drive, after CHKDSK repeatedly attempted repairs, making files inaccessible.
As Leeds Data Recovery, with 25 years of experience, we used bad sector bypassing, file system reconstruction, and forensic-level data extraction techniques to restore lost files.
The Challenge: Iomega External Hard Drive Triggers CHKDSK & Fails to Load Files
A client contacted us after their Iomega external hard drive stopped working properly, with the following issues:
- Windows automatically launched CHKDSK when plugging in the drive.
- CHKDSK detected errors and attempted to fix them, but some files remained missing.
- Files were either corrupted, unreadable, or completely disappeared after CHKDSK ran.
- The drive contained 10 years of family photos, videos, and personal documents.
Since CHKDSK can overwrite or delete data while attempting repairs, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Iomega external hard drive arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and software diagnostic. Our findings:
- Bad sectors were present – Leading to slow performance and CHKDSK execution.
- File system corruption (NTFS/FAT32) – Some directory structures were damaged, preventing proper file access.
- No mechanical failure detected – Meaning a logical recovery approach was possible.
Since continued use of CHKDSK could erase more recoverable data, we prioritized sector-level imaging and data extraction before file system repair.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the External Hard Drive to Prevent Further Data Loss
To preserve the original data, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector clone of the Iomega hard drive.
- Used advanced data extraction tools to bypass bad sectors.
2. Extracting & Rebuilding Lost or Corrupted Files
Since some files were missing or partially corrupted, we:
- Rebuilt lost file system structures and indexes.
- Recovered missing documents, photos, and videos from raw data.
3. Verifying & Restoring Family Data
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Checked all recovered photos, videos, and documents for integrity.
- Repaired corrupted images and videos using specialized recovery tools.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a new external hard drive.
The Results: 99% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our bad sector recovery and file system reconstruction techniques, we successfully recovered 99% of the family’s lost data, including:
✅ Family photos and home videos spanning 10 years
✅ Personal documents and digital archives
✅ Backup files and important records
The client was overjoyed to have their irreplaceable family memories restored, preventing permanent data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading external hard drive data recovery specialists in Leeds and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ CHKDSK-related data loss recovery
✔ Bad sector repair & disk imaging
✔ Photo, video, and personal file retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery services
If your external hard drive is running CHKDSK automatically, showing missing files, or failing to open documents, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.