A simple accident a glass of water spilled on a laptop nearly cost one client their career. Inside that laptop was an OCZ Vector SSD holding five years of critical architecture projects, contracts, and tax records. The system went dark immediately and refused to power back on.
This is the story of how our team performed a chip-off NAND recovery, battled against microscopic water damage, and restored 100% of the client’s data using tools and techniques that very few labs in the world can match.
Initial Assessment: Time-Sensitive Water Damage
The client acted quickly and shut down the system without attempting to power it back on—an essential step. Within hours, the OCZ Vector SSD arrived at our facility. Once inside our ISO Class 10 Cleanroom, we carefully removed the casing and inspected the internals.
Although the surface looked clean, moisture had seeped under the controller and SATA power circuit, shorting several components and rendering the controller inoperable.
Standard Recovery Was Impossible Controller Was Dead
Typical recovery procedures involve communicating with the SSD through its own firmware and controller. But when those components are fried, as in this OCZ SSD data recovery case, you must take a far more complex route: chip-off recovery.
That’s where our specialized expertise began to shine.
Why Chip-Off Recovery Is Extremely Difficult
1. NAND Flash is Not Plug-and-Play
Each SSD model, especially performance drives like the OCZ Vector, has a unique memory mapping structure known as the Flash Translation Layer (FTL). Without the original controller, the raw data on the NAND chips is meaningless unless:
- You understand how the FTL maps logical addresses to physical blocks
- You have tools to interpret proprietary wear leveling, garbage collection, and ECC algorithms
2. Physical Precision Is Required
NAND chips are surface-mounted using ball grid array (BGA) soldering—hundreds of tiny solder balls under each chip. One wrong move with a hot air gun can crack the chip or lift the pads, making recovery impossible.
To safely remove NAND:
- Temperature profiles must be finely tuned to avoid chip delamination
- High-quality lead-free fluxes must be used to stabilize reflow temperatures
- Antistatic shielding and grounding must be enforced throughout the process
3. Reballing Adds Another Layer of Complexity
If a chip was previously damaged, oxidized, or contaminated from water intrusion, we perform a reballing process:
- Remove all old solder balls from the chip underside
- Clean the chip surface using ultrasonic and chemical baths
- Reapply solder balls using a precision reballing stencil and reflow station
This process takes hours per chip and must be performed under magnification with sub-millimeter accuracy. Only highly experienced engineers can reball and reinstall chips without compromising their structure.
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What Sets PITS Global Apart
While many labs outsource or decline chip-off SSD cases due to their complexity, PITS Global Data Recovery handles the full SSD data recovery process in-house, with:
- Class 10 Cleanroom environments
- Custom-built NAND readers and translators
- Internal firmware libraries for OCZ and other SSD brands
- Engineers with 10+ years in microelectronics and semiconductor repair
- Precision BGA reballing stations and thermal profiling tools
Unlike general electronics repair shops, we do not guess. We simulate the original controller logic, rebuild the file system from NAND, and verify every byte before releasing recovered data.
The Recovery: From Dead Controller to Fully Recovered Files
After desoldering the NAND chips using a controlled thermal lift technique, we read the data through a forensic programmer. We then rebuilt the OCZ Vector’s internal structure:
- ECC correction for damaged blocks
- Logical block addressing reconstruction
- FTL simulation and partition reassembly
The final step was to clone the reconstructed image sector-by-sector to a new SSD and verify file access and integrity.
Result: 100% Recovery, Delivered in 5 Business Days
The recovered image included:
- All project files and renderings
- Email archives
- Financial documents
- Installed software data and preferences
We shipped the encrypted external drive back to the client and securely erased the image from our systems per protocol.
“You went ten steps deeper than anyone else was willing to. I had no idea this was even possible. Truly incredible.”
Why Time Matters with Water Damage
- Corrosion begins within hours. Even on sealed components, moisture trapped under chips begins damaging traces.
- Powering on after damage worsens outcomes. Electricity + moisture = irreversible shorts and chip fusing.
- Early professional cleaning is critical. Only cleanroom-grade cleaning prevents oxide formation.
Your Data Security Is Our Priority
Data privacy isn’t optional. It’s our commitment. Our secure recovery process ensures your sensitive information stays protected from start to finish.
Trust in certified security. Start your recovery today! Call Now: 888.611.0737
Protecting Your SSD from Liquid Damage
- Avoid using laptops on desks near water bottles, sinks, or windows.
- Store SSD backups externally and in cloud storage.
- Use waterproof or splash-resistant laptop sleeves when working in unpredictable environments.
- Install a surge protector and shut down devices during thunderstorms.
Conclusion: Extreme Precision for Extreme Failures
Water damage to an SSD doesn’t always mean total loss but only a few recovery labs have the tools, knowledge, and hands-on precision to execute a successful chip-off recovery.
At PITS Global Data Recovery Services, we specialize in cases where other companies give up where the controller is dead, the board is corroded, or NAND data needs to be reverse-engineered manually.
Need Help Now?
- Call Us: 888.611.0737
- Visit: www.pitsdatarecovery.com
Or start a case online today we’re available 24/7
We’re trusted by engineers, enterprises, and government agencies for one reason: we deliver what others can’t.
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