Data Recovery From Laptop Hd

[NanLaew]

I have a 2.5" SATA hard drive that I use for external backup that has suddenly failed. It's in a SATA/USB enclosure and when I connect it via USB, the computer goes through the detecting and enabling the hardware and the LED's on the enclosure flash away but it doesn't show up in Windows. I have tried it on two different computers and even tried it in different eSATA/USB enclosure with same results. I put it to my ear and hear it spin up but then I hear what sounds like the heads parking and that's it. No loud noises so suspect something in the controller had died.

It has some client data on it that I need to recover so does anyone have experience with reliable data recovery companies in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand?

Thanks,

NL

[Spoonman]

Purchase an identical HDD and swap over the electronics.

[NanLaew]

Purchase an identical HDD and swap over the electronics.

Thanks for the suggestion, but...

I had a similar HD failure a fair few years ago in the US. I thought that swapping the electronics would be a quick fix. However, I learned that HD electronics are matched to the varying dynamics of the spinning bits of the HD they are installed on so unless one is extremely lucky and has a HD from the same manufacturing batch, this option doesn't work. The HD in question is over 3 years old and probably obsolete by now.

Think of it like electronically adjusting the skew in an old reel-to-reel or cassette tape recorder... then multiply the number of 'tracks and heads' by several hundreds and then shrink them by the order of several thousands!

[Somtamnication]

Put it in the freezer for an hour and try again. (Seriously).

[NanLaew]

Put it in the freezer for an hour and try again. (Seriously).

And I have had success using the fridge (not the freezer) in (yet another) HD tits-up a few years back when offshore. But that too was a mechanical issue where the drive was was audibly struggling. Unfortunately, this blighter is playing deaf & dumb both hot & cold.

Thanks though, it is a valid 'repair' step when up sh!t creek.

[Spoonman]

Purchase an identical HDD and swap over the electronics.

Thanks for the suggestion, but...

I had a similar HD failure a fair few years ago in the US. I thought that swapping the electronics would be a quick fix. However, I learned that HD electronics are matched to the varying dynamics of the spinning bits of the HD they are installed on so unless one is extremely lucky and has a HD from the same manufacturing batch, this option doesn't work. The HD in question is over 3 years old and probably obsolete by now.

Think of it like electronically adjusting the skew in an old reel-to-reel or cassette tape recorder... then multiply the number of 'tracks and heads' by several hundreds and then shrink them by the order of several thousands!

Hence I said identical.

[bangkokburning]

You do mean the new 2.5s not a standard 3.5 correct???

The old fridge trick is the only thing I can think of. When you have totally given up, give it a good bang against something. Make you feel better and who knows...

Take it to Panthip, maybe there is someone there that can at least get the data off it for you but think since its new tech they can't help you much.OOOH! here's an idea....find out who services Creative Zen products. Many years ago I had one with some problems. The office was on a high floor near Fortune. I think the info has since been taken off their site. Anyway...go to see them, they work with tiny drives. They were super good to me. Fixed the jack and another problem - while I waited and charged me B500+.

What are you doing with your drives that all these problems occur? Food for thought. Maybe next time buy SSD or at least Seagate drive in a mfg enclosure. Sure you are aware, USBs and SD cards are massive now and might even meet your needs as well. I keep triple redundancy for my music library and photos.

What brand drive please?Curious if its WD. I bought an Apricorn in US which seems to be good quality about a year ago (wasn't cheap). I just noticed in Fortune that WD has all sorts of these 2.5s out now - cheap. WD is not known for quality, but I only keep drives a few years and give them away.

I should also add - I don't "use" the Apricorn. Its really for backup. I don't think these 2.5 drives are really made to run like even the 3.5". Just sayin -

[keeniau96]

DataWizards on Phuket can almost certainly fix you up. I have known Gregory (owner) for some years now and he is a top man, has a clean box for disassembly of HDD if such is needed. Far, far lower cost than USA data retrieval shops. Look at his advert on bottom right of (full contact info):

http://www.khunwoody.com/phuket-internet-speed/

[Mobi]

Hi NL,

I have experienced a number of problems with failed Hard disks in the past year or so. The first time I lost a lot of irreplaceable photos and that taught me a lesson. Ever since I have always had two copies of everything I don't want to lose. This has already paid dividends as I have had several more failures but have always had a back-up. I know its easy to be wise after the event and I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but I did it and have never regretted it.

On two occasions, I took my failed HDs to the lap top repair shop (the fancy one) at the back of the 2nd floor of Tuk Com and asked them to put it into another case. On the first occasion they did this and the hard disk worked again and has worked ever since. On another occasion they told me that the disk had failed and a new case did not fix it. They told me the disk was corrupt and could not be fixed. However, I took the disk back home and re-formatted it and it has worked fine ever since - ditto another one since then. Sure, I lost all my data (but it was backed up, so no problem,)but at least I didn't have to buy new disks, neither of which were very old.

There are a number of HD recovery services in Thailand and if you need some contact numbers I will try to dig them out for you, but I do know they are very expensive.

[Crushdepth]

Might be worth trying Spinrite - not free but it does have a refund policy if you are not happy with it. I recovered a netbook drive with it last night. We have also taken disks down to "fix it" shops in Pantip from time to time, and have a pretty good success rate in recovering data for a modest fee. But if you can't even see the drive, that might complicate things.

[NanLaew]

Purchase an identical HDD and swap over the electronics.

Thanks for the suggestion, but...

I had a similar HD failure a fair few years ago in the US. I thought that swapping the electronics would be a quick fix. However, I learned that HD electronics are matched to the varying dynamics of the spinning bits of the HD they are installed on so unless one is extremely lucky and has a HD from the same manufacturing batch, this option doesn't work. The HD in question is over 3 years old and probably obsolete by now.

Think of it like electronically adjusting the skew in an old reel-to-reel or cassette tape recorder... then multiply the number of 'tracks and heads' by several hundreds and then shrink them by the order of several thousands!

Hence I said identical.

Hence I stated it is over 3 years old and obsolete or out of stock.

[NanLaew]

Thanks for the tips. I pound laptops and hardware in my line of work, hence my higher incidence of failures. The fact that most laptop warranties are 24-months tops and stuff is obsoleted even quicker precludes my forking out extra $$$ for 'ruggedized' gear if it all needs replacing every 3-4 years anyway.

I have paid around US$800 for data recovery in the US, worthwhile when considering the data and work involved. Lost personal pictures and emails wouldn't get the same attention!

I found three recovery services online in Bangkok so will tackle them when I get back. Meanwhile, the Contractor's IT man has offered to take a look while he is here so fingers crossed. I have accessed 'dumb' Windows HD's via Linux before as well.

[NanLaew]

Bumping this one. Anyone know a data recovery shop in Bangkok?