Manual data recovery from a broken hard drive...:(

[DVTeixera]

Someone asked why hard drives are so fragile. If you think about it...

Disc is spinning at 7,200 rpm. Think of the crankshaft in your car spinning at this speed to get an idea of speed. The part of the head assembly that is close to the surface is absolutely tiny. You can imagine what happens when a highly sophisticated, tiny, fragile component comes into contact with something going along at 7,200rpm. It's actually amazing that they work at all if you think about what goes in on there, and at what speeds/tolerances. They are pretty tough when switched off, just be careful with them when they're on.

Thanks for that hard info. I was talking more about why aren't external hard drives tough when you buy them. Instead of having to get extra attachments and accessories. But then again, I can't just make judgements since the hard drives that fell were both exactly the same make and model. Poor, cheap casing I guess.

[marine1]

I appreciate your response and efforts. Any indication of costs involved would be nice to know?

+1

[SouthBit]

South_Bit. You are a legend. I would willingly send you my HD for recovery and save myself a pile of time and effort. I have only imaged my drive with R-Studio but will willingly hand it over to you as a professional. I appreciate your response and efforts. Any indication of costs involved would be nice to know?

From what I understand the drive is actually initialising and being detected, so that's very good news. If you want to go ahead with recovery then it's best to stop all further DIY attempts at this point, so as to increase our chances of getting back as much as we can.

Where are you based?

[reedOsama]

This thread makes me so happy, it's like a nerd fairy tale...

Son Nerd: OMG! What happened then Dad?

Daddy Nerd: They recovered the data and all lived happily ever after!

[mouks]

The wrong power supply was connected to the drive below. The drive is not mine and the owner is long gone so recovering the data it not a big concern....

So what you saying is if I remove the two thingies (Green Arrow) the drive might still work? I don't have a multi meter to test and I'm just going by the two burn marks on the external casing (Red Arrow)

[SouthBit]

The TVS are just above, and either side of, the head of the green arrow. The rectangular black components.

If only the TVS were damaged, and there is no other damage to any other components, then yes the drive should work with them removed. You will have no protection though.

Here's a detailed article: http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/TVS_diode_FAQ.html

[mouks]

Thanks ... I will have a look

[sajunky]

So what you saying is if I remove the two thingies (Green Arrow) the drive might still work? I don't have a multi meter to test

In this case you can go with it. But if it is Schottky diode by example (part of switching mode DC to DC converter) and you remove it without checking, permanent damage can happen. It is why don't do it in future without multimeter.

In this case cut off 12V TVS (connected to 12V rail) first and check if working.

[mouks]

I removed the to thingies and the drive worked Just how save is is to use a drive like this?

[ponder]

I removed the to thingies and the drive worked Just how save is is to use a drive like this?

You should replace the tvs diodes. Without them you have no protection so should you get a spike or plug the wrong psu in again it's bye bye hard drive.

[mouks]

Can I replace it with any tvs diodes?

[sajunky]

Can I replace it with any tvs diodes?

No. It must be TVS with the same ratings.

[ponder]

Can I replace it with any tvs diodes?

No. Do the ones you removed have any lettering on them? if yes post the details here.

[mouks]

uhmmm.. I can remember what I did with them I'll look for them and post the details tonight