Samsung NVMe SSDs are widely used in schools and educational institutions for fast data storage and portability. However, overheating issues can cause frequent crashes, slowdowns, and eventual SSD failure, putting critical data at risk.
This case study details how we successfully recovered student information for GCSE exams from an overheating Samsung NVMe external SSD, after the school experienced system crashes and data inaccessibility.
As Oxford Data Recovery, with 25 years of forensic data recovery experience, we used chip-level NAND extraction and thermal management techniques to restore the lost student data.
The Challenge: Overheating Samsung NVMe External SSD Causing Crashes
A school contacted us after their Samsung NVMe SSD inside an external enclosure started overheating, leading to:
- Frequent system crashes when accessing the SSD.
- Slow read/write speeds, with files taking too long to open.
- Windows/macOS occasionally failing to detect the SSD.
- Important GCSE student records and examination data at risk.
Since excessive heat can degrade NAND flash memory, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Samsung NVMe SSD arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full diagnostic assessment. Our findings:
- Overheating SSD controller – The drive’s power management system had degraded, causing thermal issues.
- Firmware instability – Heat-related degradation had led to firmware corruption, preventing proper SSD operation.
- NAND flash memory errors – Prolonged overheating had damaged some storage cells, making data recovery more complex.
Since standard recovery tools cannot access NAND data when the controller is failing, we proceeded with chip-off NAND extraction.
The Recovery Process
1. Cooling & Stabilising the Overheating SSD
Before attempting recovery, we:
- Applied specialized heat dissipation techniques to cool the SSD safely.
- Disabled power management features to prevent further thermal stress.
2. Extracting Data from NAND Flash Chips
Since the SSD’s controller was failing, we:
- Removed the NAND flash memory chips and used direct data extraction tools.
- Bypassed firmware corruption to reconstruct missing student records.
- Recovered fragmented and partially lost files using advanced forensic tools.
3. Verifying & Restoring GCSE Student Data
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Checked all recovered GCSE student records for integrity.
- Repaired corrupted spreadsheets and document files.
- Transferred the restored data to a secure external SSD.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our chip-level NAND extraction and SSD firmware repair techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the school’s critical student data, including:
✅ GCSE student information and exam records
✅ School database files and administrative documents
✅ Spreadsheets, reports, and class schedules
The school was relieved to have all student data restored, preventing serious academic disruptions.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading SSD data recovery specialists in Oxford and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ Overheating SSD data recovery & thermal management
✔ Chip-off NAND flash data extraction
✔ Firmware repair for failing SSD controllers
✔ Secure & confidential academic data retrieval
If your SSD is overheating, causing crashes, or losing important data, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.