Author Topic: dead harddrive - need some help (Read 366 times)

Modas · « **on:** June 09, 2007, 09:35:20 AM »

Hi Guys -

the wifes computer harddrive crapped out I think. when booting I get a boot disk failure message.

I tried putting the drive in my machine, which it recongnized, but doesn't spin it up. Any tricks that might be helpful to get this thing running long enough to transfer data would be appreciated. Thanks!

Roscoroo · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2007, 12:08:22 PM »

stick it in the freezer.

I gotten a couple to run long enough to get the data off .

Fulmar · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2007, 02:53:24 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Roscoroo
stick it in the freezer.

I gotten a couple to run long enough to get the data off .

Say what? How does this work?

Modas · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2007, 06:24:10 PM »

thanks, I'll give it a try.

The wife said it was in the middle of a MS update when it quite. Not sure which update it was running at the time.

Is there a min/max time I should be putting the drive in the freezer?

Thanks!!

Joe

Roscoroo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2007, 06:47:31 PM »

i put in in a plastic bag ... to keep moisture out

then in the freezer for 2 - 8 hours, pull it out , hook it up while its cold and go for the info off of it .

its a old trick my Buddy at Fluke mfg. taught me .

Fulmar · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2007, 09:17:34 PM »

And that works if the head is crashed on the drive?

Roscoroo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2007, 09:52:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fulmar
And that works if the head is crashed on the drive?

it works for mechanical errors .

If the drive wont reconize in the Bios (correct size, sectors , paramiters ,ect )
and it gives off that gobbly gook code in the bios then its a failed board in the drive . the freezer trick doesnt work in this case .

Silat · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2007, 10:36:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Roscoroo
it works for mechanical errors .

If the drive wont reconize in the Bios (correct size, sectors , paramiters ,ect )
and it gives off that gobbly gook code in the bios then its a failed board in the drive . the freezer trick doesnt work in this case .

You could go buy an identical drive and change the boards to get the info off:)

Modas · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2007, 08:06:17 AM »

Well, gave the old freezer trick a try and it didn't go. After messing around with it, the wife opted to just get a new machine.

Her's is almost 8 years old (compaq) and its probably time to upgrade anyways.

thanks for the help!

wooly15 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2007, 11:02:46 AM »

The freezer trick has worked for me once and for a few friends. The HD spun up just long enough to recover data.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2007, 11:11:43 AM »

As mentioned the problem may well be electronic too. Then the board swap is an easy way to recover the situation.

llama · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2007, 01:10:09 PM »

As has been mentioned, the freeze trick works for mechanical and motor-related issues. I generally freeze it overnight without a bag of any sort - a freezer is already a dry place - moisture freezes out of the air.

Then the drive comes out along with two "blue Ice" picnic bricks. I make a sandwich out of it: blue ice brick - drive - blue ice brick.

It all goes on a ceramic plate next to the comptuer.

Then power it up and hope for the best. Don't be afraid to gently "thunk it" with various tools to get it spinning or working.

Also, you need a file copy tool that doesn't stop the whole copying process when it encounters an error (I'm looking at YOU, Windows Explorer). "The Unstoppable Copier" is a good freeware utility that works well in these situatuions.

You usually only get one chance when trying freezing, so make sure all your tools are ready for one frenzied attempt.

-Llama