.PCB File Recovery

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .PCB file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

PCB File Recovery

What is a .PCB file?

Design or model of a printed circuit board (PCB), which provides connections to electrical components; used for creating the layout that is used for printing the physical board; saved in a standard ASCII text format.

What Are Common Causes of ".PCB" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".PCB" (Printed Circuit Board) files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Human error, such as mistakenly deleting the file, is one of the most common causes of file loss. This can happen when organizing files or performing cleanup tasks.
  2. Hardware or software issues: Problems with the computer's hardware or software can lead to file corruption or loss. This may include issues like hard drive failure, operating system crashes, or software bugs.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect the computer and corrupt or delete files, including ".PCB" files. Ransomware attacks, in particular, can encrypt files and make them inaccessible until a ransom is paid.
  4. Power outages or surges: Sudden power outages or voltage fluctuations can disrupt the saving or opening process of ".PCB" files, resulting in file corruption or loss.
  5. Data transfer errors: When transferring ".PCB" files between devices or storage media, errors can occur, leading to file corruption or loss. This can happen due to issues like interrupted transfers, faulty cables, or incompatible file formats.
  6. Improper shutdowns: Forcefully shutting down the computer without properly closing applications or saving files can result in data loss or corruption, including ".PCB" files.
  7. Physical damage: Physical damage to the storage media, such as hard drives or flash drives, can render the ".PCB" files inaccessible or cause data loss.
  8. File system errors: File system errors, such as errors in the file allocation table or directory structure, can lead to file corruption or loss. These errors can occur due to improper system shutdowns, disk errors, or software bugs.

It is important to regularly backup ".PCB" files and implement preventive measures, such as using reliable antivirus software, maintaining a stable power supply, and following proper shutdown procedures, to minimize the risk of file loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".PCB" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".PCB" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".PCB" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".PCB" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".PCB" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".PCB" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".PCB" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo printed Circuit Board Design File image file file?

Programs that open ".PCB" files

Windows
Altium Designer Altium Designer
Zuken CADSTAR Zuken CADSTAR
Autodesk EAGLE Autodesk EAGLE
Mac
Autodesk EAGLE Autodesk EAGLE
Linux
Autodesk EAGLE Autodesk EAGLE

Additional Information

  • File type: Printed Circuit Board Design File

  • File extension: .PCB

  • Developer: N/A

  • Category: Data Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: 49 49 02 04 20

  • ASCII: II

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:09 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .PCB files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is PCB recovery and how does it work?

    PCB recovery, also known as printed circuit board recovery, is the process of extracting valuable materials from discarded or obsolete printed circuit boards. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are found in various electronic devices and contain valuable metals like gold, silver, copper, and palladium.

    The process of PCB recovery typically involves the following steps:

    1. Collection and dismantling: PCBs are collected from electronic waste sources, such as old computers, mobile phones, or other electronic devices. The collected PCBs are then dismantled to separate the boards from other components.
    2. Mechanical processing: The PCBs are crushed or shredded into small pieces to facilitate further processing. This step helps in reducing the size of the boards and breaking them down into individual components.
    3. Size reduction and separation: The crushed PCBs are further ground into finer particles to increase the surface area for subsequent chemical processing. Separation techniques like gravity separation, magnetic separation, and electrostatic separation are used to separate the different components of the PCBs based on their physical properties.
    4. Chemical processing: Various chemical processes, such as leaching, smelting, and electrolysis, are employed to extract valuable metals from the PCBs. Leaching involves the use of chemicals to dissolve and recover metals, while smelting involves melting the materials to separate the metals. Electrolysis is used to extract metals through the application of an electric current.
    5. Refining and purification: The extracted metals are further refined and purified to remove impurities and obtain high-quality materials. This step ensures that the recovered metals meet the required standards for reuse or resale.
    6. Recycling and reuse: The recovered metals can be recycled and used in the manufacturing of new electronic devices or other industries. The remaining non-metallic materials, such as fiberglass or epoxy resin, can also be recycled or used for other purposes.

    PCB recovery helps in reducing electronic waste, conserving valuable resources, and minimizing environmental impact by recovering and reusing valuable materials from discarded PCBs.

  • What are the common causes of PCB failure and the need for recovery?

    There are several common causes of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) failure, which may lead to the need for recovery or repair. Some of these causes include:

    1. Physical damage: PCBs can be prone to physical damage due to mishandling, dropping, or excessive vibration. This can result in broken traces, cracked solder joints, or damaged components.
    2. Overheating: Excessive heat can cause the solder joints to weaken or melt, leading to component failure or disconnection. Overheating can occur due to inadequate cooling, high ambient temperatures, or excessive power dissipation.
    3. Moisture and humidity: Exposure to moisture or high humidity levels can cause corrosion on the PCB, leading to poor conductivity, short circuits, or component failure.
    4. Electrical overloads: Power surges, voltage spikes, or electrical overloads can cause damage to the PCB, such as burning or melting of components, blown fuses, or damaged traces.
    5. Manufacturing defects: Poor quality control during the manufacturing process can result in various defects, including faulty soldering, incorrect component placement, or inadequate insulation. These defects can lead to PCB failure over time.

    The need for recovery or repair arises when a PCB fails due to any of these causes. PCB recovery involves diagnosing the failure, identifying the faulty components or connections, and repairing or replacing them as required. Recovery techniques may include reflow soldering, component replacement, trace repair, or cleaning and drying the PCB to remove moisture or corrosion.

  • What are the benefits and limitations of PCB recovery services?

    Benefits of PCB recovery services:

    1. Environmental sustainability: PCB recovery services help in the proper disposal and recycling of PCBs, reducing their impact on the environment. This promotes sustainability by preventing the release of harmful substances into the ecosystem.
    2. Compliance with regulations: PCB recovery services ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations regarding the handling, storage, and disposal of PCBs. This helps businesses avoid legal issues and penalties associated with improper management of these hazardous materials.
    3. Cost-effectiveness: Instead of disposing of PCBs as hazardous waste, recovery services aim to recover valuable materials from PCBs, such as precious metals and other reusable components. This can result in cost savings for businesses by reducing the need for new raw materials.
    4. Resource conservation: PCB recovery services contribute to the conservation of natural resources by reusing or recycling materials extracted from PCBs. This reduces the demand for new resources and minimizes the environmental impact of extracting and processing raw materials.

    Limitations of PCB recovery services:

    1. Complexity of PCBs: PCBs are complex electronic devices with multiple components, making their recovery and recycling a challenging process. Some components may be difficult to recover or recycle due to their composition or integration into the PCB.
    2. Limited recovery options: Not all PCBs can be fully recovered or recycled. Some components may be too damaged or contaminated to be effectively processed, limiting the recovery options available.
    3. Cost considerations: PCB recovery services may involve significant costs, especially for complex or highly contaminated PCBs. The cost of transportation, processing, and disposal can make these services financially prohibitive for some businesses.
    4. Time-consuming process: PCB recovery can be a time-consuming process, especially if the PCBs require extensive dismantling, cleaning, or testing. This can result in delays for businesses that need to dispose of or recycle PCBs promptly.
    5. Health and safety risks: PCBs are hazardous substances that can pose health and safety risks to workers involved in the recovery process. Proper safety measures and equipment must be in place to protect workers from exposure to toxic substances during PCB recovery.
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