Solid-State Drives (SSDs) like the Samsung EVO series offer high-speed performance and reliability. However, unlike traditional hard drives, SSDs have a limited lifespan due to NAND flash wear-out. When an SSD enters read-only mode, it prevents new data from being written, making updates, modifications, or file transfers impossible.
This case study details how we successfully recovered critical property data from a Samsung EVO SSD that went into read-only mode due to NAND flash degradation. The device belonged to a real estate agency in Belfast, containing client property listings, contracts, and business documents.
As Ireland’s oldest and most experienced data recovery company, we used chip-level NAND extraction and SSD firmware repair techniques to retrieve the lost files.
The Challenge: Samsung EVO SSD Stuck in Read-Only Mode
A Belfast-based estate agency contacted us after their Samsung EVO SSD stopped allowing file modifications. The reported symptoms included:
- Files could be read but not modified, saved, or deleted.
- Windows and macOS refused to write new data to the drive.
- The SSD showed as healthy in system diagnostics, but free space was locked.
- Important real estate contracts and property listings were trapped on the SSD.
Since SSD failure can worsen over time, immediate professional recovery was needed to prevent permanent data loss.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Samsung EVO SSD arrived at our cleanroom facility, we performed a firmware and NAND-level diagnostic. Our findings:
- NAND flash wear-out – The SSD had reached its program/erase (P/E) cycle limit, causing data retention issues.
- Firmware-triggered read-only mode – The SSD’s controller had switched to write protection mode to prevent data corruption.
- File system inconsistencies – The drive contained corrupt metadata and indexing errors, further restricting access.
Since the SSD was still functional but in a locked state, chip-level data extraction was the best recovery option.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning the SSD Without Modifying the Original Data
Since the drive was in read-only mode, we:
- Created a forensic bit-by-bit clone to preserve all data.
- Used write-blocking tools to ensure no accidental overwrites.
2. Extracting Data Directly from NAND Flash Chips
To bypass SSD controller restrictions, we:
- Accessed raw NAND flash memory using a specialized chip reader.
- Manually rebuilt the file system structure, restoring the missing property data.
3. Verifying & Restoring Estate Agency Files
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Checked all documents for corruption and ensured complete readability.
- Restored property listings, contracts, and financial records.
- Transferred the recovered files to a new SSD with better longevity.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our NAND flash recovery and firmware bypass techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the real estate agency’s data, including:
✅ Property listings, floor plans, and contract agreements
✅ Financial records and client communications
✅ Marketing materials and property images
The estate agency was able to continue operations seamlessly, avoiding costly data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading SSD data recovery specialists in Ireland and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ Read-only mode SSD recovery & NAND flash extraction
✔ Firmware repair and controller bypass techniques
✔ Data retrieval from failed Samsung, Crucial, WD, and other SSDs
✔ Secure & confidential recovery for business professionals
If your SSD has gone into read-only mode, is failing to save files, or has stopped responding, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.