Hard Drive Failure

[EagleGirl]

Well, it finally happened to me, my hard drive failed. It would not boot windows despite everything we tried at home. I took it to my local shop and they replaced the drive but said they don't do data recovery. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do other than to send it to an expensive data recovery place. Anybody know anything about this?

[TxManx]

It's worth a shot to add the drive back into the system and see if it's readable, just not bootable...

From there, depending on how valuable the data is on it, you can send it to a data recovery specialist...but that's expensive.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by TxManx

It's worth a shot to add the drive back into the system and see if it's readable, just not bootable...

From there, depending on how valuable the data is on it, you can send it to a data recovery specialist...but that's expensive.

expanding a bit: may have to change a jumper near the main connector to configure it as a secondary drive. then plug in data cable and power then see if the computer will recognize it. If so, xfer the data somewhere else.

Then reformat (full) that secondary drive ands use it for whatever.


many times the problem is just that the windows files are skroged, the data is fine.

[EagleGirl]

I'm not a computer geek. Can I buy some sort of enclosure and hook it up to the usb to find out if it is readable?

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by EagleGirl

I'm not a computer geek. Can I buy some sort of enclosure and hook it up to the usb to find out if it is readable?

Yes

[TxManx]

Joanne -

Yes you can - that's actually the easiest way to do it. Since you're not technical, please make sure you take the drive with you, so you ensure you get the proper enclosure.

They are available at most Best Buy, Circuit City stores, etc...

Ken

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by TxManx

Joanne -

Yes you can - that's actually the easiest way to do it. Since you're not technical, please make sure you take the drive with you, so you ensure you get the proper enclosure.

They are available at most Best Buy, Circuit City stores, etc...

Ken

Excellent suggestion. I was glad to see you add that!

[EagleGirl]

So if I do that and plug it in, if it sees it, then I'm good. If it doesn't see it, I'm toast?

[Ahh!]

PPA uses a service to recover hard drives as part of their liability coverage. They probably use Seagate or another service to do it...

[EagleGirl]

Yeah, I know, but I don't have the equipment insurance yet. I have been contacting them for a few weeks and have had a hard time getting them to answer my questions via email. So that won't work.

[Ahh!]

Check with the hard drive manufacturer's website...there are also some other tricks I have heard and used...some on here on the forum. For example, if heat is the problem, (the drive works for a while then dies, then after cooling off works a little while...bring everything over to the kitchen and run the drive in the fridge or freezer...

It all sounds bazaar...but I know it can work long enough to dump out the data...but not for long and not with every drive failure...

[HotHolly]

If you are a PPA member they offer help with this. We've used their services before. There is a deductible, but its pretty affordable. I havent used it in a while - it may have changed. Membership in the PPA was the only requirement.

[janetg]

if you are inclined...pc parts houston has recovered 3 drives for me - for about $200 each time. they aren't really in your area (NW houston) but you might just keep calling local shops till you find one that has some sort of reasonable recovery software.

now...as i said...3 drives recovered..it's actually more than that over the past 8 years, and now i'm INSANE about backups.

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by janetg

if you are inclined...pc parts houston has recovered 3 drives for me - for about $200 each time.

This is good to know. Keep in mind it may take more than just software, since they may be manipulating some of the electronics in their magical back room, too.

Originally Posted by janetg

...and now i'm INSANE about backups.

There is no such insanity!

[EagleGirl]

Thanks Janet. I'll check with them if it comes to that. I like that price much better than what I've been hearing. I'm going to try to connect up the HD myself first this weekend and see if I can see anything. Crossing my fingers.