Hard Drive failure help

[PierBridge]

Does anybody have any ideas to retrieve Hard Drive info my friends Hard drive will not boot it says "hard drive Failure back up all data" Hard Drive error 0.
I'm going to throw the drive in my external encloser and see if I can get it recognized, she did get to boot in safe mode once.
Best Buys Geek Squad quoted her $550 and no guarantees....ouch.

Thanks Pier.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Just turn off, unplug and reseat the drive. It's worked for me!

 

[dave68iou1]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

You can also try cloning the drive with another computer. Figure out the approximate size of the information on the drive and use a comparable drive size. Once the clone is complete, you can try using a boot disk with the same version of Windows on it. This may work for you

 

[i386]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Does anybody have any ideas to retrieve Hard Drive info my friends Hard drive will not boot it says "hard drive Failure back up all data" Hard Drive error 0.
I'm going to throw the drive in my external encloser and see if I can get it recognized, she did get to boot in safe mode once.
Best Buys Geek Squad quoted her $550 and no guarantees....ouch.

Thanks Pier.

I use a USB thing too as my first try. Sometimes it works.

There are a number of utilities you can use but keep this in mind; The more you mess with it the less likely a recovery service will be able to retrieve the data. drivesavers.com is one. They are not cheap, but if your friend has data loss on his homeowners insurance policy it may cover the cost.

Good luck.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Update.

I do have the drive recognized in my en-closer it is spinning and making some loud clatter however when trying to access the documents folder "IMPORTANT STUFF" its empty or inaccessible also having problems stopping drive in device manager.

53 gigs out of an 80WD of important work data along with pictures and music.

I guess I'm mildly encouraged at this point.

I don't think the jumpers are a concern as I have the drive recognized so i'm going to take it home and fiddle with it any other ideas at this point?

Thanks Again.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

You are going in the right direction. Hope you can recover it. Best bet is to tell her to get a USB external drive and back up her valuable data regularly. Everyone I know has always done this 'after' the loss, lol.

Good Luck!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

I have a second drive inside my computer and I have a network drive. I run a batch script every night that copies my important files to each of these drives.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

This won't help you now but when you get your problem solved Google "Acronis True Image". It is a software package tha I use to back-up my entire drive. It copies your operating system, data and all hidden files. If your master crashes you go buy a new one and execute the Acronis recovery procedure. It is windows based and very friendly.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

I have all of my stuff backed up on Hard Drives, CD's and DVD's and a backup image of my entire hard disk, including operating system backup with all user preferences and settings, applications and data .

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Windows Can't find the drive anymore.....I figured when I got lucky and found the drive at her place it was a one chance deal..I get about 2 minutes of double clicking chatter and then nothing, it finds the usb case but thats it.

 

[valkyr]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Ok, so you can't see the disk at all in Windows? No drive letter or anything?

If you can see the drive letter, drop out to a cmd prompt and type:

(assume e: is the faulty disk)
c:\chkdsk e: /F /R

(I'm assuming this is Windows XP?)

Also you check out Norton SystemWorks...Norton Disk Doctor is a great tool for problems like this.

 

[i386]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

If you're experiencing the click of death then the actuator/servo mechanism has failed inside the drive. It's best to unplug it and let a data recover place look at it if you want to get the data back.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

I have a second drive inside my computer and I have a network drive. I run a batch script every night that copies my important files to each of these drives.

Bruce, can you explain 'batch script". Sounds like something I could use. I've inquired before about a 'program' that would allow me to back up multiple files to several different drives, with the push of a button.

I run two internal drives and an external USB drive. I have to copy and paste each of the desired files to each of the backup drives manually. It is certainly doable but a PITA. I'd much rather be able to tickle one button and have it all done automatically.

 

[i386]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Bruce, can you explain 'batch script". Sounds like something I could use. I've inquired before about a 'program' that would allow me to back up multiple files to several different drives, with the push of a button.

I run two internal drives and an external USB drive. I have to copy and paste each of the desired files to each of the backup drives manually. It is certainly doable but a PITA. I'd much rather be able to tickle one button and have it all done automatically.

Nothing wrong with what Bruce is doing Boomy, but it might be a little cryptic for you to setup. If you have Windows XP, you can use the backup utility that comes with Windows to back up your files and even schedule it.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Ok, so you can't see the disk at all in Windows? No drive letter or anything?

If you can see the drive letter, drop out to a cmd prompt and type:

(assume e: is the faulty disk)
c:\chkdsk e: /F /R

(I'm assuming this is Windows XP?)

Also you check out Norton SystemWorks...Norton Disk Doctor is a great tool for problems like this.

correct I had the drive letter and all folders showing over at her place but have been unable to get back to that point at home.

Thanks for the info much appreciated.

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Look into a product called Get Data Back. You need to boot with another drive installed, and install the program on the working drive. It will then show you what if anything can be recovered from the troubled drive, and do it for you. this is a nice tool.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

What is the jumper set to? Try setting it to slave from CS or Master. You can also hold the drive between your hands and push your hands forward very fast. It has worked for me, but not very often. Doing that forces the plates to spin.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Last resort is a recovery outfit that has or finds a used, identical drive. They pull your platter and place it in the other drive, or they find the component in yours that's failed and steal it from the other drive. It can get pricey, but some data is worth it.

Good Luck!

 

[dolluper]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

Boom you could try this free program
http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm

 

[2broke4this]

Re: Hard Drive failure help

This is going to sound incredibly silly, but we've done it at work on occasion as a last-ditch effort when the drive is still spinning (sounds like it is). Put the drive in the freezer overnight (ideally in a sealed antistatic bag) and hook it back up. You'll probably want to leave it in the enclosure so you can get it hooked back up as quickly as possible. Cross your fingers, hope your computer recognizes it and get to the important folder(s) as fast as you can and try to copy them. If you run out of options, and sending it off to a data recovery service is out of the question financially, this is free and worth a shot. Keep in mind that you'll probably only have one go at this because the moisture (especially if it is humid in the house) will probably kill the drive. Don't try this if you are planning to send it out. Good luck with whatever route you chose!

-Carl