Hard Drive In Freezer

  • Thread starter Thread starter gecko
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gecko

Just reporting -

I had a hard drive that would not spin up to boot. It simply would
not power on. I iced it in a freezer for a few hours - voila! The
drive now boots and runs.

Of course I intend to pull the data I wanted on it, and I will scrap
the drive. Nice trick.

-GECKO
 
gecko said:
Just reporting -

I had a hard drive that would not spin up to boot. It simply would
not power on. I iced it in a freezer for a few hours - voila! The
drive now boots and runs.

Of course I intend to pull the data I wanted on it, and I will scrap
the drive. Nice trick.

-GECKO
Click to expand...
Did you start it up cold or allow the drive to warm up first?
 
gecko said:
Just reporting -

I had a hard drive that would not spin up to boot. It simply would
not power on. I iced it in a freezer for a few hours - voila! The
drive now boots and runs.

Of course I intend to pull the data I wanted on it, and I will scrap
the drive. Nice trick.

-GECKO
Click to expand...

The same is true for badly readable cd's.
Have rescued a few MB's using this trick.

Cheers!
Marcel
 
The same is true for badly readable cd's.
Have rescued a few MB's using this trick.

Cheers!
Marcel
Click to expand...
Hmmm.

I hadn't thought of that. I do have a couple of CDs and DVDs that
don't read.
Thanks

-GECKO
 
The same is true for badly readable cd's.
Have rescued a few MB's using this trick.

Cheers!
Marcel
Click to expand...
Well, sorry to say, but today I tried the hard drive again and it
failed. I tried to freezer trick, but it did not make the drive work
this time. So I guess it was a one-time fluke that the drive worked
after I put it in the freezer. Still something to try next time.
Cheers.
-GECKO
 
The problem is you left warm up too long........1 to 2 hours then hook it up
and take data off right away..
because it will never work again...as you found out.

peter
 
The problem is you left warm up too long........1 to 2 hours then hook it up
and take data off right away..
because it will never work again...as you found out.

peter
Click to expand...


I tried it again - your way. Still failed last night and again this
morning. Thank God I was thinking enough when it worked that one time
to pull of the files I wanted. Now I can stop playing with the drive.
Thanks for responses all.

-GECKO
 
kony said:
So, umm, when it worked why didn't you get the data off and
have no need to try again? That's the most important part,
having a system and spare space available so after you pull
it from the freezer it is time to immediate salvage what
data you can.

Try this:

Take a hairdryer, or turn on the oven then off again and let
it cool down to about 75C. Put the drive in oven for 10
minutes, remove and garnish with parsley. Just kidding
about the last part. Oven or point hairdryer at motor
bearing and bottom where arm bearing mounts, heating to
hopefully make the lubricant flow around a bit.

Next, let it cool to room temp then put in a baggie you
sqeeze the air out of and seal. Put in freezer till it's
just above freezing, remove and let warm up just a tiny bit.
Before opening bag, have masking tape ready. Quickly open
bag, plug in data cable and power cable. Close bag as much
as you can (thinking a ziplock type bag seal) and use the
masking tape to seal it the rest of the way so air can't get
in. This keeps moisture from condensating on it. If you
are not quick enough and see moisture you will have to start
over and make sure room air doesn't get to it very long
while it's so cold.
Click to expand...

So long as you can get a good seal, just connect the cables before you
freeze it! Just make sure the exposed end of the cable is clean and dry
before connecting to the computer.
 
One final attempt to try. Take the hard drive and slam it down, flat
on to a mouse pad from about 3 feet. It might shake loose the seized
bearings just enough for one more run. Good luck.
Click to expand...

That is something that I remember for old IBM drives, though back then it
was suggested to move them violently in an 8 shape (if memory serves me
right).
 
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