Cannot access IBM 40GB hard drive - help!

[Marlon Bodicker]

Hi everybody,

A few days ago, I needed to take apart my computer in order to change
some stuff inside the case. Both hard drives were also removed, but after
reinstalling them, the second one refused to work and still refuses to do
so.

Having had problems with it the first time (it didn't like its slave
position very much), I started fiddling around with the jumpers and the
IDE cables. Alas, whatever position I put the drive in, whatever IDE
cable I connect it to, the BIOS refuses to automatically pick it up.

Because the drive started spinning each time I booted my computer, I
assumed it was still "alive".

After a while I gave up swapping its jumpers and cable position, and
connected it to an external enclosure, also because a colleague told me
that these cases ignore the master/slave jumpers etc...

Unfortunately, when I connect the USB cable to my PC and power up the
drive, I can hear it spinning, followed by a loud "click" sound. A few
seconds later, the drive "clicks" again, and this repeats itself until I
power off the drive. I still cannot access the data.

Is there anything I can do at this point? What could be the problem?

As for the drive itself, it's an IBM DeskStar from June 2001, model no:
IC35L040AVER07-0, ATA/IDE size 40GB.

On the internet, I've read about swapping the logical board with another
drive, but I fear that the board probably isn't the problem...

I have no backup of the data on this drive, because said data is not that
valuable to me, but I would like to be able to use my drive again!

Any advice would be very welcome - thanks in advance!

Best regards,

Marlon

 

[Rod Speed]

Marlon Bodicker wrote

A few days ago, I needed to take apart my computer
in order to change some stuff inside the case. Both
hard drives were also removed, but after reinstalling them,
the second one refused to work and still refuses to do so.

So likely you stuffed something up in the process.

Having had problems with it the first time (it didn't like its slave
position very much), I started fiddling around with the jumpers and
the IDE cables. Alas, whatever position I put the drive in, whatever
IDE cable I connect it to, the BIOS refuses to automatically pick it up.

You may have damaged a cable by yanking it off a drive.

Try another cable.

Because the drive started spinning each time I
booted my computer, I assumed it was still "alive".

Yes, its likely that you stuff something up, maybe the cable.

After a while I gave up swapping its jumpers and cable position, and
connected it to an external enclosure, also because a colleague told
me that these cases ignore the master/slave jumpers etc...

That isnt strictly true.

Unfortunately, when I connect the USB cable to my PC and power
up the drive, I can hear it spinning, followed by a loud "click" sound.
A few seconds later, the drive "clicks" again, and this repeats itself
until I power off the drive. I still cannot access the data.

Is there anything I can do at this point? What could be the problem?

You could have damaged the internal cable, try a new one.

As for the drive itself, it's an IBM DeskStar from June 2001,
model no: IC35L040AVER07-0, ATA/IDE size 40GB.

Those are called DeathStars for a reason.

On the internet, I've read about swapping the logical board with
another drive, but I fear that the board probably isn't the problem...

Yeah, its not that likely. Much more likely you damaged the cable.

 

[Mike Tomlinson]

As for the drive itself, it's an IBM DeskStar from June 2001, model no:
IC35L040AVER07-0, ATA/IDE size 40GB.

Google DeathStar. You've just joined that august fraternity.

 

[Marlon Bodicker]

Marlon Bodicker wrote


So likely you stuffed something up in the process.

Probably

You may have damaged a cable by yanking it off a drive.

Given the fact that I tinker about with computers rather frequently, I'm
inclined to say that I've developed a more careful approach than
"yanking" cables

Try another cable.

Actually, I already did. As I said, I've tried every possible position
(M/S on IDE cable one, M/S on IDE cable two, combining the other drive,
with the CDRom, or standalone), AND I've tried a spare cable. Nothing
seems to work.

That isnt strictly true.

Would you care to elaborate on this please?

Those are called DeathStars for a reason.

Unfortunately, one learns this after one has bought the drive

Anyway, the drive has already survived for about eight years, so I can't
really blame their reputation.

Any suggestions besides the cable? Thanks!

Best regards,

Marlon

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Unfortunately, when I connect the USB cable to my PC and power up the
drive, I can hear it spinning, followed by a loud "click" sound. A few
seconds later, the drive "clicks" again, and this repeats itself until I
power off the drive. I still cannot access the data.

Is there anything I can do at this point? What could be the problem?

As for the drive itself, it's an IBM DeskStar from June 2001, model no:
IC35L040AVER07-0, ATA/IDE size 40GB.

On the internet, I've read about swapping the logical board with another
drive, but I fear that the board probably isn't the problem...

I have no backup of the data on this drive, because said data is not that
valuable to me, but I would like to be able to use my drive again!

We've all been through this sort of problem before, unfortunately the
solution is always "forget about it, she's dead, Jim". The problem very
well may be solved by the replacement of its logic board with another
drive's, but that carries with it its own pitfalls. You'd have to buy a
second drive of the same type, and then you have to hope that one works
too.

Did you have SMART turned on prior to this drive failing?

Yousuf Khan

 

[Rod Speed]

Marlon Bodicker wrote

Probably

Given the fact that I tinker about with computers rather frequently,
I'm inclined to say that I've developed a more careful approach than
"yanking" cables

Actually, I already did. As I said, I've tried every possible position
(M/S on IDE cable one, M/S on IDE cable two, combining the other
drive, with the CDRom, or standalone), AND I've tried a spare cable.
Nothing seems to work.

Did you try just that drive in the system on a new cable ?

You do see particular combinations of drives not being happy to
coexist on a particular cable, so its best to try with just the one drive.

Would you care to elaborate on this please?

Some do care about how the drive is jumpered.

Unfortunately, one learns this after one has bought the drive

True. Those did generate a full legal class action they were so utterly notorious.

Anyway, the drive has already survived for about
eight years, so I can't really blame their reputation.

And new drives are now so cheap that its not the end of the world if you cant use it now.

Any suggestions besides the cable? Thanks!

See above.

 

[Arno]

Hi everybody,

A few days ago, I needed to take apart my computer in order to change
some stuff inside the case. Both hard drives were also removed, but after
reinstalling them, the second one refused to work and still refuses to do
so.

Having had problems with it the first time (it didn't like its slave
position very much), I started fiddling around with the jumpers and the
IDE cables. Alas, whatever position I put the drive in, whatever IDE
cable I connect it to, the BIOS refuses to automatically pick it up.

Because the drive started spinning each time I booted my computer, I
assumed it was still "alive".

After a while I gave up swapping its jumpers and cable position, and
connected it to an external enclosure, also because a colleague told me
that these cases ignore the master/slave jumpers etc...

Unfortunately, when I connect the USB cable to my PC and power up the
drive, I can hear it spinning, followed by a loud "click" sound. A few
seconds later, the drive "clicks" again, and this repeats itself until I
power off the drive. I still cannot access the data.

Is there anything I can do at this point? What could be the problem?

As for the drive itself, it's an IBM DeskStar from June 2001, model no:
IC35L040AVER07-0, ATA/IDE size 40GB.

Ah, another DeathStar bites the dust...

On the internet, I've read about swapping the logical board with another
drive, but I fear that the board probably isn't the problem...

You fear correctly with high probability.

I have no backup of the data on this drive, because said data is not that
valuable to me, but I would like to be able to use my drive again!

Throw it away. The best case scenario is that you can temporary
revive it to get the data from it.

Any advice would be very welcome - thanks in advance!

If the data is not your main concern, the cheapest option
is to get a new drive. Any serious repair attempt will
likely me much more expensive.

Arno

 

[CJT]

Google DeathStar. You've just joined that august fraternity.

I can attest from personal experience that it was a serious problem.