Question SSD data recover with separate power/data cable

[dislette]

[Moderator edit to remove 8:49 Youtube video. Not necessary with respect to the ending question about where to buy.}

UK based Mac user here, with a "dead" SSD.

After watching a video from Limitless-Hardware on data recover I am now on the lookout for a separate power and data connector, can anybody please advise on the technique of running an SSD power only for thirty minutes for automatic diagnostic checks and then connecting the data cable please and where to order reliable hardware from in the UK.

Youtube link deleted.

 

[Aeacus]

After watching a video from Limitless-Hardware on data recover

This video is NOT data recovery. All what that bloke there is blabbering about, is very "maybe" chance to get the drive showing up in OS. This ONLY works if in the initial system, there was some connection issue with power/data (e.g loose connector); which made the drive to disappear and seemingly die. Also, SSDs do not have "spare" NAND flash cells on them.

If you want to see proper data recovery vid, then NorthRidge Fix:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_oBQ2UFZSU


There, Alex showcases how to repair Crucial MX500 500GB drive, with data recovery.
As said by Alex, if the issue is with NAND cell, Alex can't do data recovery. But if issue is somewhere else, he can try. And it turns out, that SSD has blown capacitor and inductor. And with thermal camera and voltage injection, Alex also finds another blown capacitor, which he replaces. With this, he was able to fix the SSD and also access the data on it.

With all that being said, you have 3 options:
1. Buy new SSD (these are cheap). But no data recovery.
2. Send the drive in to NorthRidge Fix and pay them some, for possible data recovery. ( https://northridgefix.com/ They do international shipping/repairs.) IF the issue is with board, data most likely can be recovered. If the issue is with NAND cell, see option #3.
3. Send the drive to data recovery lab. (E.g DriveSavers https://drivesaversdatarecovery.com/ ) They have the means to get the data off from NAND cells. It will cost a fortune, but ask yourself: how valuable is the data on there for you.

Do not try those "free fixes" since most often than not, you'll make it worse, making option #3 cost far more.
Also, when system can not detect the drive, there are no free fixes.

 

[dislette]

Disk Utility continually spins when trying to load the SSD from another external storage, so there is life in it.

The SSD unit stopped working at the same time as the SSD. However, it was a dual bay enclosure and the other SSD is still fine.

It has been slow for a while, but what are the odds of the enclosure breaking along with the SSD ?

 

[Aeacus]

However, it was a dual bay enclosure and the other SSD is still fine.

1st, you said that SSD stopped working. Now, you're saying that you used some kind of dual-enclosure, which stopped working, making one of the SSDs to stopped working as well.
This is completely different issue of what you initially described.

It has been slow for a while, but what are the odds of the enclosure breaking along with the SSD ?

Apple certified SSD enclosure? Or some random 3rd party enclosure?

If Apple certified, haul the enclosure to Apple repair shop, along with two SSDs.

If random no-name cheap enclosure, then quality of it can't be confirmed. But it can fry all and any drives connected to it.

Also, what kind of enclosure? RAID? NAS? Something else?

Disk Utility continually spins when trying to load the SSD from another external storage, so there is life in it.

It may have life, but if OS isn't able to utilize the drive, not much to do. There are recovery software out there, like Recuva, but this is solely for Win and not MacOS.
For MacOS, there are other software, like Disk Drill,
further reading: https://news.macgasm.net/reviews/10-best-data-recovery-software-mac/

So, you may give those software a go, and look if you can utilize and recover the data. But it can make things worse, costing you more if you end up with data recovery service.