One of the most common problems with Quantum drives is firmware issues. The firmware is stored on the platters in the so-called System (Service) Area of Quantum hard drives. If one of these modules is damaged, the drive cannot start. There is no way to address this problem at home. It is a complex process, requiring the use of expensive equipment and deep knowledge of hard drives and data recovery.

The No.1 problem for Quantum drives (especially for the Quantum Fireball CX and Fireball LCT series) is the errors that occur on their boards. This usually happens due to overheating, voltage drop (or fluctuation), or motor issues in the drive. If this happens, the drive does not start and – naturally – is not recognized at all in the BIOS.

If the Quantum hard drive makes a clicking sound at startup, it is most often a sign of damaged heads. In this case, it is very important to run proper diagnostics to rule out the possibility that the drive is clicking due to faulty firmware or a PCB error.

What are the problems of Quantum drives?

Finally, a classic problem of these drives (as well as all other drives from all manufacturers) is Bad Sectors. After a certain period, the platters where data is written begin to degrade and bad sectors appear. When the drive tries to read such areas of the surface, it may freeze or make strange noises such as “scratching,” light ticks, or loud noises. Once the drive starts showing such symptoms, it is very important to immediately stop the drive and send it to us for a free diagnosis. Any further attempts you make will add to the problems the drive already has and reduce the number of recoverable data.

Quantum Drive Data Recovery

In our laboratories, Northwind uses expensive cloning tools that can bypass the damaged parts of the surface and read the healthy data. This is usually the only method by which data recovery from Quantum drives with such failures is possible.

You can see all the Quantum hard drive models from which we have recovered files in Northwind Data Recovery’s laboratories in Athens and Thessaloniki.