Compaq desktop and laptop computers have been used for decades as reliable personal and business computing solutions. However, when an error message appears stating “The Parameter Is Incorrect”, it often indicates Master Boot Record (MBR) corruption, partition table damage, or file system errors, making data inaccessible.
This case study details how we successfully recovered family photos and personal data from a Compaq computer’s Seagate hard disk, after partition corruption rendered the drive unreadable.
As Glasgow Data Recovery, Scotland’s oldest and best data recovery company, we have 25 years of experience using MBR repair, partition table reconstruction, and deep forensic data recovery techniques to restore lost personal files.
The Challenge: Compaq Hard Drive Showing “The Parameter Is Incorrect” Error
A client contacted us after their Compaq hard disk stopped working, with the following issues:
- Windows displayed the error: “The Parameter Is Incorrect” when accessing the drive.
- File Explorer could not open the drive, and Disk Management showed it as RAW.
- Attempts to run CHKDSK or repair tools resulted in failure.
- The drive contained irreplaceable family photos and personal files.
Since reformatting the drive would erase all remaining data, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Compaq hard drive (Seagate disk) arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full partition and file system diagnostic. Our findings:
- MBR corruption – Preventing Windows from recognizing the file system.
- Partition table damage (NTFS/FAT32) – Making stored data unreadable.
- No mechanical failure detected – Meaning logical recovery was possible through partition repair and raw data extraction.
Since partition corruption does not immediately erase data, we prioritized reconstructing the partition table and repairing the file system.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the Hard Drive to Prevent Further Data Loss
To preserve recoverable data, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector forensic clone of the Seagate hard drive.
- Used advanced recovery tools to extract readable sectors while avoiding further corruption.
2. Repairing the Partition Table & File System
Since the partition table was missing or corrupted, we:
- Rebuilt the MBR and partition structures to restore lost file directories.
- Repaired the NTFS file system to regain access to stored data.
3. Extracting & Verifying Family Photos
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Recovered all personal photos, videos, and digital archives.
- Restored corrupted JPEG, PNG, and RAW image files.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external backup device.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our partition table repair and deep sector-level recovery techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the client’s lost personal data, including:
✅ Thousands of family photos and home videos
✅ Personal documents, letters, and digital archives
✅ Organized file structures restored for easy access
The client was able to retrieve all irreplaceable family memories, preventing emotional distress and data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are Scotland’s leading hard drive data recovery specialists. Our expertise includes:
✔ Partition table repair & MBR reconstruction
✔ RAW drive recovery & NTFS/FAT32 file system repair
✔ Family photo, personal document, and video retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery services
If your hard drive is displaying “The Parameter Is Incorrect,” showing as RAW, or preventing access to personal photos, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.