Samsung T9 Portable SSDs are known for their high-speed performance and durability, making them a popular choice for professionals, businesses, and personal data storage. However, when a drive opens but files appear as gibberish, it often indicates file system corruption, bad sectors, or a virus infection, making data unreadable.
This case study details how we successfully recovered important documents and personal files from a Samsung T9 Portable SSD, after data corruption or a malware attack rendered stored files unreadable.
As Leeds Data Recovery, with 25 years of experience, we used file system reconstruction, malware removal, and forensic data extraction techniques to restore lost files.
Samsung T9 SSD Files Appearing as Gibberish
A client contacted us after their Samsung T9 Portable SSD started displaying corrupted file contents, with the following issues:
- The drive was detected and opened, but files displayed random characters or unreadable text.
- Some files would not open, returning error messages like “File format not supported.”
- Antivirus scans detected potential malware, but the infection could not be removed without deleting the files.
- The drive contained personal documents, financial records, and work-related materials.
Since attempting to repair or remove malware manually could overwrite recoverable data, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Samsung T9 SSD arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full data integrity and malware diagnostic. Our findings:
- File system corruption (exFAT/NTFS) – The file table had been partially overwritten, causing filenames and content to appear distorted.
- Possible virus infection – Some files were encrypted or modified by malicious software.
- No physical damage detected – Meaning a logical data recovery approach was possible.
Since data corruption can spread if improperly handled, we prioritized forensic-level file reconstruction before attempting repairs.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the SSD to Preserve Data
To prevent further corruption, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector forensic clone of the Samsung T9 SSD.
- Isolated affected files to prevent malware reinfection.
2. Repairing the File System & Reconstructing Corrupted Data
Since the file system was partially corrupted, we:
- Rebuilt the exFAT/NTFS file structure using advanced forensic tools.
- Recovered original filenames, timestamps, and folder structures.
3. Identifying & Extracting Malware-Modified or Encrypted Files
Since some files were altered by malware, we:
- Scanned for files hidden or encrypted by malicious programs.
- Repaired document formats (Word, Excel, PDF) to restore usability.
4. Verifying & Restoring User Data
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Checked all recovered files for accuracy and integrity.
- Ensured corrupted documents, spreadsheets, and photos were restored.
- Transferred the fully recovered data to a secure external storage device.
The Results: 98% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our file system repair and malware recovery techniques, we successfully recovered 98% of the client’s lost data, including:
✅ Personal documents, work files, and financial records
✅ Restored Word, Excel, and PDF files previously showing gibberish
✅ Repaired and accessible media files (photos and videos)
The client was able to regain access to their important files, preventing permanent data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading SSD data recovery specialists in Leeds and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ File system corruption repair & data reconstruction
✔ Malware-damaged & encrypted file recovery
✔ SSD bad sector repair & NAND chip-level data retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery for businesses & individuals
If your SSD is displaying unreadable files, showing gibberish text, or has been affected by malware, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.