Backup - Real Life Lesson

[JJDinsay]

I know I know, shoulda backed up. Now my HD is clicking, doesn't sound like it's spinning up and now I have a dead HD. Any chance this can be resolved by a software diagnostic? Any ideas on services that can fix this issue? My entire MP3 Jukebox is on it, not to mention my pictures!!!

[LancePowers]

Yeah the clicking is usually just bad sectors on the drive. I just had this problem myself with some crucial data and here is what I did...

Head to Panthip (I found it on a mixed CD) or better yet buy HDD Regen @ http://www.dposoft.net/

It actually restores bad sectors although in my case this only lasted a few weeks, so the drive is likely permanently fubar'ed.

Good luck.

[bkk_mike]

Now my HD is clicking, doesn't sound like it's spinning up and now I have a dead HD.

One thing to try is switching the power connector... - i.e. it could just be a loose connection in the power lead. (quite common if it's not spinning at all, especially if you've not been getting nasty noises from it beforehand).

Beyond that, if there's burn marks of any sort on the PCB, the disk itself may be OK, just the electronics are shot, but you're still talking about a specialised data recovery place. A quick web search will find some, closest one to Thailand that I found with a very quick google was http://www.adrc.net/ but data recovery is usually not cheap.

[waldwolf]

First, as bkk_mike suggested, have your power supply checked. A defective PS will give the symptoms you described and is about the cheapest piece of computer hardware you can buy, should it require replacement. (About $15-$30 US).

OK......I know your all going to laugh at this one, but it is one of the first routines many "Recovery" companies use, when a HDD has "failed". (It is assumed you are somewhat "mechanically inclined" and have another HDD, flash drive or other storage source to backup onto.)

1. Remove "defective" HDD from tower, put in plastic bag, then put it in your refrigerator (NOT FREEZER).

2. Leave for 1-2 hours.

3. Prepare list of your MP3's and pictures in order of importance. Have backup media installed and ready for use.

4. Remove "defective" HDD from refrigerator and plug-in power/data cables.

5. Turn-on system and with your ear near HDD, listen for motor "spin-up" noise.

6. If HDD motor sounds OK, and Windows loads, copy data to backup media as soon as possible.

If above works, but only for a short time, try 1-6 again. You may just be lucky enough to recover all your data.

good luck

[francois]

hi'

OK......I know your all going to laugh at this one, but it is one of the first routines many "Recovery" companies use, when a HDD has "failed". (It is assumed you are somewhat "mechanically inclined" and have another HDD, flash drive or other storage source to backup onto.)

1. Remove "defective" HDD from tower, put in plastic bag, then put it in your refrigerator (NOT FREEZER).

2. Leave for 1-2 hours.

3. Prepare list of your MP3's and pictures in order of importance. Have backup media installed and ready for use.

4. Remove "defective" HDD from refrigerator and plug-in power/data cables.

5. Turn-on system and with your ear near HDD, listen for motor "spin-up" noise.

6. If HDD motor sounds OK, and Windows loads, copy data to backup media as soon as possible.

If above works, but only for a short time, try 1-6 again. You may just be lucky enough to recover all your data.

not me ...

I have heard something similar from a techy in geneva ... they keep the hd in a cooler,

function on at "nerver more than 5 degreeC ... and most of the time, they can transfer

"most" of the data on the disc ... in a very short time ...

have to say that they attach the disc in the "original" position (manufacturers), like the day they formated it ... amazing ... this also the reason why you should never make

a low level format alone

hdd regenerator is working as long as the hd is spinning ... before the last crash ...

I used it a few times, with success, just in time to buy another one and transfer all on it.

cheers

francois