Dead Hard Drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter arozen
  • Start date Start date
A

arozen

Hi, I have a hard drive that recently stopped working due to a fall
onto carpet from about 2 feet. It is an internal Seagate drive,
mounted in a Dynex (Best Buy brand) external case. I've been
researching what my options are to salvage my data, but I'm confused
on a few things.

First, I'm unsure whether or not my error is from the logic board
failing or from a mechanical failure within the drives/platters. The
drive starts up fine and begins spinning, but after a few seconds
stops, pauses, and starts again. There is NOT a clicking noise,
however. I've heard that this is the same as the drive clicking, but I
am unsure. I've read recently that people have had issues with logic
boards being broken/fried, so I was wondering if this could be the
problem. Perhaps buying a copy of the same drive would allow me to
replace the logic board with the new, functioning one, saving me a
considerable amount of money from asking a professional to extract my
data (something I can't afford). If it is not related to the platters,
it seems my chances of data are better.

How can I tell if it is a logic board error or a platter/mechanical
failure?

Also, if it IS mechanical, does anyone know any methods to get the
data? I don't need all of it so I don't need a terribly long uptime,
but there are some things on there I'd really like to have. The only
method I've seen that seems to work at all is to freeze the drive for
24 hours and hope the parts shrink and slide into place. However, I'd
like to do this as a last (or close to last) resort, as the
condensation can damage the drive permanently.

If anyone has any help, please let me know.

Thanks,

Adam
 
Hi, I have a hard drive that recently stopped working due to a fall
onto carpet from about 2 feet. It is an internal Seagate drive,
mounted in a Dynex (Best Buy brand) external case. I've been
researching what my options are to salvage my data, but I'm confused
on a few things.

First, I'm unsure whether or not my error is from the logic board
failing or from a mechanical failure within the drives/platters. The
drive starts up fine and begins spinning, but after a few seconds
stops, pauses, and starts again. There is NOT a clicking noise,
however. I've heard that this is the same as the drive clicking, but I
am unsure. I've read recently that people have had issues with logic
boards being broken/fried, so I was wondering if this could be the
problem. Perhaps buying a copy of the same drive would allow me to
replace the logic board with the new, functioning one, saving me a
considerable amount of money from asking a professional to extract my
data (something I can't afford). If it is not related to the platters,
it seems my chances of data are better.

How can I tell if it is a logic board error or a platter/mechanical
failure?

Also, if it IS mechanical, does anyone know any methods to get the
data? I don't need all of it so I don't need a terribly long uptime,
but there are some things on there I'd really like to have. The only
method I've seen that seems to work at all is to freeze the drive for
24 hours and hope the parts shrink and slide into place. However, I'd
like to do this as a last (or close to last) resort, as the
condensation can damage the drive permanently.

If anyone has any help, please let me know.

Thanks,

Adam
Click to expand...


Download SeaTools from Seagates support site and run the dignostics to check the
integrity of the drive:
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

Run the Recovery Console to check if you can see any data on the disk.
How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
Hi, I have a hard drive that recently stopped working due to a fall
onto carpet from about 2 feet. It is an internal Seagate drive,
mounted in a Dynex (Best Buy brand) external case. I've been
researching what my options are to salvage my data, but I'm confused
on a few things.

First, I'm unsure whether or not my error is from the logic board
failing or from a mechanical failure within the drives/platters. The
drive starts up fine and begins spinning, but after a few seconds
stops, pauses, and starts again. There is NOT a clicking noise,
however. I've heard that this is the same as the drive clicking, but I
am unsure. I've read recently that people have had issues with logic
boards being broken/fried, so I was wondering if this could be the
problem. Perhaps buying a copy of the same drive would allow me to
replace the logic board with the new, functioning one, saving me a
considerable amount of money from asking a professional to extract my
data (something I can't afford). If it is not related to the platters,
it seems my chances of data are better.

How can I tell if it is a logic board error or a platter/mechanical
failure?

Also, if it IS mechanical, does anyone know any methods to get the
data? I don't need all of it so I don't need a terribly long uptime,
but there are some things on there I'd really like to have. The only
method I've seen that seems to work at all is to freeze the drive for
24 hours and hope the parts shrink and slide into place. However, I'd
like to do this as a last (or close to last) resort, as the
condensation can damage the drive permanently.

If anyone has any help, please let me know.

Thanks,

Adam
Click to expand...

Well...have you opened the case and inspected the internals
for any loose components, cables, etc., and re-seated them.
Saw any broken parts? How about borrowing another external
case (or buying one...they're cheap) and testing the HD in
it? If it works, then it would have saved you the sum for a
professional data recovery outfit to the work.
 
I did actually test it with another external drive case from an old
drive; same thing happens. The computer seems to recognize that a USB
object has been plugged in -- it makes the beep when you plug it in/
unplug it, but it doesn't recognize the drive. Thus, I'm not sure how
any disk utility programs would work if they can't access the drive. I
could be wrong, as I don't know too much about them, but it seems as
if the drive won't show up in My Computer, there wouldn't be a way to
use a disk utility?

If I'm wrong, please correct me, as I would love to be wrong and be
able to use a utility. I think it's the drive though, as it spins,
stops, spins repeatedly while it's on, and it runs extremely hot as
it's on longer.
 
Might try connecting the HDD internally, as a Master or slave, on an IDE
channel, to see if the drive is able to show up in the BIOS, device manager,
disk management or my computer areas..
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=2cfd04d2e817f010VgnVCM1000005106090aRCRD

If it can be seen in the BIOS or OS you might stand a good chance of
recovering your data.. If not then you will need to seek professional data
recovery services..
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/DiagnoseXP.html
Hope things work out..
Cheers
j;-j
 
Hi,

.......condensation can damage the drive permanently.

Once upon a time someone suggested putting the drive in a plastic bag
then surrounding the bag with ice to keep it cold when you try the
freezer test.

Can you get your hands on an identical drive to try the board swap?


---==X={}=X==---

Jim Self

AVIATION ANIMATION, the internet's largest depository.
http://avanimation.avsupport.com

Your only internet source for spiral staircase plans.
http://jself.com/stair/Stair.htm

Experimental Aircraft Association #140897
EAA Technical Counselor #4562
 
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