HP Omen computers are known for their high-performance hardware, often used by gamers, professionals, and businesses. However, when a hard drive overheats or starts failing, it can cause unexpected system shutdowns, data corruption, and inaccessibility of important files.
This case study details how we successfully recovered critical financial data from an HP Omen hard drive, after random shutdowns prevented the user from copying their files for a small accounts business.
As Oxford Data Recovery, with 25 years of forensic data recovery experience, we used thermal diagnostics, bad sector recovery, and disk cloning techniques to restore lost data.
The Challenge: HP Omen Shutting Down Randomly Due to Hard Drive Issues
A small business owner contacted us after their HP Omen computer kept shutting down unexpectedly, with the following issues:
- The computer would randomly shut down after a few minutes of operation.
- Files could not be copied or backed up due to freezing and crashes.
- The hard drive temperature was abnormally high, suggesting overheating.
- Critical business accounting data was at risk of permanent loss.
Since overheating can lead to complete drive failure, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the HP Omen hard drive arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and software-level diagnostic. Our findings:
- Overheating issue – The drive’s internal temperature was reaching unsafe levels, likely due to a failing component.
- Bad sectors developing – Several files were unreadable due to data corruption.
- No mechanical failure – The drive was still functional, meaning a non-invasive recovery was possible.
Since the drive was unstable, we prioritized data extraction before complete failure occurred.
The Recovery Process
1. Cooling & Stabilising the Drive for Safe Recovery
Since heat can cause further degradation, we:
- Used specialised cooling techniques to bring the drive to a safe operating temperature.
- Disabled unnecessary processes to prevent further stress on the drive.
2. Cloning & Imaging the Hard Drive to Preserve Data
Since bad sectors were forming, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector clone to extract as much data as possible.
- Bypassed damaged areas using forensic-level recovery tools.
3. Extracting & Repairing Corrupted Financial Files
Since some files were partially corrupted, we:
- Repaired damaged spreadsheets, accounting records, and invoices.
- Reconstructed missing financial transaction logs.
4. Verifying & Restoring Business-Critical Data
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Checked all recovered files for integrity and accuracy.
- Transferred the fully restored business data to a secure external SSD.
The Results: 98% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our cooling, cloning, and file repair techniques, we successfully recovered 98% of the client’s financial data, including:
✅ Accounting spreadsheets and transaction records
✅ Client invoices, payroll data, and tax files
✅ Business reports and digital archives
The client was able to continue running their business without losing any crucial financial information.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading business data recovery specialists in Oxford and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ Overheating hard drive recovery & cooling techniques
✔ Bad sector recovery & data integrity checks
✔ Financial document & accounting data restoration
✔ Secure & confidential business data retrieval
If your computer is shutting down randomly, overheating, or failing to copy files, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.