SAMSUNG 860 QVO 1TB SSD Data Recovery

Samsung 860 QVO 1TB SSD data recovery service by Zero Alpha. Here, we focus on some of the most common issues that lead to the need for professional data recovery services.

1. Bad Blocks and NAND Wear

The 860 QVO uses QLC (Quad-Level Cell) NAND technology, which stores more data per cell but has a shorter lifespan compared to other NAND types like TLC or MLC. Over time, the drive may develop bad blocks, making certain parts of the data inaccessible. These bad blocks can result in file corruption, slow read/write speeds, or total drive failure.

2. Firmware Corruption

Firmware issues are a known problem in SSDs, and the 860 QVO is no exception. A corrupted or failed firmware update can render the drive inaccessible, leaving users unable to retrieve their data. Firmware corruption may also cause the drive to not be recognized by the operating system or display incorrect storage capacities.

3. Controller Failure

The drive's controller plays a critical role in managing data flow and communication between the NAND chips and the host system. If the controller fails, the drive may no longer function, causing complete data loss. In some cases, the controller failure can mimic symptoms of a dead drive.

4. Power Loss During Operation

Unexpected power loss during read or write operations can result in partial or total data corruption. The Samsung 860 QVO's reliance on volatile cache for speed optimization makes it particularly vulnerable to sudden power interruptions, leading to lost or corrupted data.

5. Overheating

SSDs generate heat during intensive operations, and inadequate cooling can lead to overheating. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can degrade the NAND chips and affect the drive’s performance. Severe overheating can cause permanent hardware damage, making data recovery more challenging.

6. Logical Damage

Logical issues, such as file system corruption, accidental formatting, or partition table errors, can prevent users from accessing their data. These problems often arise from improper ejection, software conflicts, or malware infections.

7. TRIM Command Complications

The TRIM command is designed to optimize SSD performance by clearing unused data blocks. However, in cases of accidental deletion or formatting, the TRIM command can make data recovery much harder by overwriting data blocks before recovery attempts.

8. Physical Damage

While SSDs are more resilient than traditional hard drives, they are still susceptible to physical damage from drops, shocks, or liquid exposure. Damaged PCBs, disconnected NAND chips, or compromised solder joints can lead to severe data loss scenarios.

How to open a Samsung SSD

We demonstrate how to open a Samsung 860QVO SSD for data recovery. You will need a 1.5 Pentalobe screwdriver.

Samsung 860QVO PMIC Schematics

MZ-76Q1T0 1TB Data Recovery Case Log

07Jan25: The drive detects properly when connected to a system, but an analysis of its S.M.A.R.T. data reveals 18 reallocated sectors, indicating the presence of bad sectors that have been remapped. The customer mentioned attempting data recovery using EaseUS software, which revealed what appears to be a factory installation of Windows 10 on the drive. We found all the outlook emails and successfully recovered the customers data.