URGENT - S.M.A.R.T Status Bad error - how to backup data?

[AkiraKurusu]

My ASUS ROG laptop, that I bought at the beginning of last year, just crashed to a S.M.A.R.T Status Bad screen, and won't boot. After searching online, this apparently means my SSD is about to fail and needs to be replaced - but how can I backup all of my data (Documents, Desktop, Downloads, user settings, the Library folder and contents, etc.), especially when I can't even login?

I urgently need help, as I don't know what to do about this.

 

[Hayato213]

If you got another computer plug that drive into the computer and backup the data, or use another drive installed windows and then use the old drive as external and pull your files.

 

[master801]

It's likely your SSD is already dead / unrecoverable since it refuses to boot, but there is a slim chance it might still mount.

Before any recovery can be done, you'll need to replace the SSD with a new one. I recommend getting one with DRAM cache and not the cheaper HMB SSDs.

Then you can try to backup your files from the dying SSD with an external hard drive adapter (I recommend using one with a dedicated power supply to avoid any power-related issues).

There is not a guarantee you'll be able to backup your files since the SSD could already be dead.

If you're not able to read the SSD, it's dead and you'll have to pay for a data recovery specialist. This can be very expensive, and may not be worth doing.

Since this is a laptop, you may be able to warranty the SSD for a new one.

But do NOT expect for them to recover your data and transfer it over.

 

[DinohScene]

I'd agree with master801.
Just stick a new SSD into your laptop, reinstall Windows and try to recover files from your old SSD via a external docking station or anything like that.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

It does not even need a new SSD installed for a recovery attempt (unless the SSD blocks the whole UEFI from working and then it is probably completely dead anyway).
Just boot some live Linux from an external medium (USB, SD card or even a good old CD/DVD) and try to mount the SSD (read only) for copying files. For computers with soldered on mass storage (looking at Apple for example) this is the only option.

I've had mixed results, but arguably some success, with the "install somewhere else" or "boot from another medium" methods multiple times on rotating HDDs on their way out -- with and without indications of failure in SMART. Worth noting it was often the death blow for them reading a whole lot of data (excessive heat production).

No idea about SSDs. No real experience with that, but for other flash memory like USB thumb drives and SD cards: They tend to fail completely from one second to another without warning.
No way for an end user to even attempt anything.

Even specialists have a lower success rate on SSDs compared to HDDs (automatic hardware encryption, wear leveling, distribution among many chips)

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I know my signature looks cynical and I feel a little bad when replying to threads like this. Doesn't change the facts noted there. (No bad intentions)

Good luck!