Dead SSD = Data Lost?

[Comdrpopnfresh]

I had a desktop running an OCZ Vertex2 that stopped being recognized by the system. I am pretty sure the warranty has since expired, so RMA is not an issue (I was not willing to send them the drive without an expressed guarantee that the data would be sanitized; the drive was not hw/sw encrypted).
Because the storage was not encrypted, and I suspect it was the SF controller that died, and not the NAND storage array... is it possible to recover the data? If I bought a compatible SF controller, could this be done? I lost all my music collection, and cannot find a backup/image with the music (or my bitcoin wallet... currently valued @ > $1600 USD). Even better: has a fix been discovered/released to revive these drive? I also have two smaller Vertex2s that died in my laptop. thanks

 

[Charlie98]

I'm going to say no. I had my Samsung 840Pro die on me a few weeks ago, and I was not able to get back into the drive no matter what I tried. No system would recognize it or even see it...

I talked with a friend of mine that specializes in computer forensics and he said with SSDs, once they stop functioning they are done.

 

[Torn Mind]

Yes, it is likely that the data is still on that NAND memory, but you have no affordable way to access it.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/data-recovered-failed-ssd/

That article mentions Drive Savers as an example company that saves SSD data. I highly doubt their services are cheap, given the nature of the work.

This is why backing up your data is very important. It is far more cost effective and sure to work than the alternatives available to you after the drive dies. A 320 GB drive is all that is needed for backup and software such as Clonezilla or Macrium Reflect are free options.

 

[paul878]

Data recover for mechanical hard drive are usually $1000 and up, for SSD it going to cost you a lot more. Since SSD is just one circuit board you can't just swap controller even if you have the same exact drive. With the price of bitcoin just went above 1k it might be worth for you to send the drive to them.

 

[Virgorising]

O M G

Another endorsement for my internal backup system.....and, sorry, again whe mechanical drives start to go, most often, you know it before the point is reached where retrieving the data on it is impossible.

So sorry you are having to endure this!:|

 

[snouter]

I have had luck popping a futzed SSD into an external USB caddy.

Often when they "break" you can still read off of them.

Live and learn on the backup thing. Many of us have.

 

[alangrift]

My drive did this a few years ago I took it to an expert for about 100 dollars they got it out with ease they asked me what I wanted and didnt want.

 

[Dr-Kiev]

My drive did this a few years ago I took it to an expert for about 100 dollars they got it out with ease they asked me what I wanted and didnt want.

OCZ Vertex2 is different. There is many recovery solutions to any other SSD drives, for example unsoldering and reading Nands dirrectly on programmer is the option.
But not for the drives based on SandForce controllers. There is pretty small number of data recovery companies in the whole world who can deal with such SSD drives. And price for recovery is not a 100$ .
It is around 2000Eu.