HDD buggered, but need data :/

acidrain

acidrain

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OK so whats happening now is when i start the HDD it spins for a little, then starts clicking a few times and afterwards powers back down and doesnt switch on again.

There's some info i would really like to get off and wondering if any one can give some ideas as to how to get the disk to run, even if its temporary.

Thanks
 
mmm, indications are not very good. You can try sticking the drive in a plastic bag in the freezer, leave it there for an hour.

To limit condensation, seal the bagm but leave a data and power cable (molex to sata converter) plug in the drive and sticking out the bag. That way, you dont have to break the seal on the bag.

use a backup program that can continue if the drive stoppes working. I setup backup profiles with syncback free to copy only what's changed or not copied yet.

You can stick it back in the freezer a few times, but if it does not work the first time, dont try it again.

The seal on the bag is critical, otherwise water will build up on the drive cuircuts and you run the risk of a short and voiding the warranty with burn marks.

The theory behind the freezer trick is that all the moving components contract an thus if any components have "loose" connections, they work while the drive is cold.
 
If the freezer method fails, get another HDD the exact same make and model, transplant its PCB and try to get as much data off as you can. You only get one try.
 
External or internal drive?

I have 6 internal drives and one started doing this. Somehow sorted it, but then it did it again. Then one by one the other drives started doing it. Turned out it was the power supply. Changed PSU and all back up and running. First see if it works in another machine. If it is external then remove it from the casing and try it directly in the machine.

If that doesn't work then start looking for a replacement board, etc.
 
There is no substitute for a good backup policy. But good luck on the recovery.
 
The_Librarian said:
If the freezer method fails, get another HDD the exact same make and model, transplant its PCB and try to get as much data off as you can. You only get one try.
Click to expand...

From his description I doubt it's a pcb problem.
 
Freezer won't work as i dont have one. The drive is an internal but have used it in conjunction with an exclosure to make it an external.

It was working yesterday. I leave it on the floor, but I think what happened was that when I removed the one side opf my pc case, my speaker got hit off and fell, presumably onto the hdd as soon after that it started clicking and stopped working.

DO backup software works even though the disk doesnt spin because surely the disk needs to spin in order to read?

Also what about opening it up and fixing what ever is clicking and then running it. I know O2 will stuff the disk up but i only need like 5min to get some stuff off
 
Download spinrite,Just google for it and you will b able to get a copy without paying :D:D:D:D
 
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