Hard drive recovery?

[mwade]

At some point, one of my hard drives "disappeared" on my computer (had had files from it open in both Photo Mechanic & PhotoShop at the time, but wasn't working on them when it occurred). Discovered it when I went to close those programs as my anti-virus update had done its thing while I was at work and was begging me to restart the computer. No idea if that could be relevant - probably isn't, but just in case. Have pulled the drive out and when I tried hooking it up as an external, could feel it go, but then it started making clicking noises. Pulled the plug on it after a minute (or less) - it hadn't popped up as being attached on my computer yet though since I got Win8 that seems to take a bit longer than it did with WinXP so slight possibility it could with more time. I was just scared of what the clicking noises might be doing to the data.

Any recommendations for me to try tomorrow beyond freezing it (and when I try that - would it make sense to set it on top of a blue ice doohickey (or I guess set that on top since wouldn't want possibility of wet on the green computer part) to help keep it chilled longer)? I really can't lose these files. It's 1.5 tb of last season's images including some I need now.

If everything fails, can anyone recommend a data recovery place that is somehow not insanely expensive. I struggle to pay my rent so I can't pay hundreds for this.

Thanks for any suggestions re: getting these files back.

 

[Bigus Paulus]

Re: Hard drive recovery?

If you use Windows OS I recommend "Recover My Files" data recovery software. I used the software when my HDD crashed a few years ago. Not only was the drive lost, but the partition was deleted as well (drive suffered minor physical damage) and the software was able to recover every file. The interface is intuitive which makes data recovery pretty straight forward. However, be prepared for a lengthy recovery times. It took about 4 hrs to recover ~400MB of data. The software costs about $60 and can be downloaded directly from the website. It's a cheap option to try out before paying for the pricey alternatives.

Hope this helps.

 

[lorretawilliam]

Re: Hard drive recovery?

If you face any problem related to the hard drive recovery, so we recommend you at this situation, you will try and use SysTools Hard Drive Data Recovery Software and another option you to use QuickData Hard Drive Recovery both are well working application, because i used this application very well, so i recommend you this one...

 

[leswp1]

Re: Hard drive recovery?

Mine did that, making the scarry clacky noises. The guy briefly resurrected it by blowing the hell out of the it through the vents. For what ever reason it did come alive long enough for me to back up before it crashed for good.

 

[mwade]

Re: Hard drive recovery?

I can't use software as it is not connecting and therefore out of reach of any software program. From my googling, it looks like compressed air is a not-at-home variation on the freezer (compressed air is cold so blowing it through chills the inside) and the freezer didn't work. I found another variation that said heat it up and I'm trying to decide if that'd be worth the risk.

If anyone has used a data recovery service where there is a physical problem with their drive (not recovering something deleted or the drive loses its formatting), please pass your recommendation (or warning) on. I think that may be my only option even if I don't know where I'll find the $$$s. It isn't just a matter of saying good bye to specifc games from last season - I have all the images for one particular group of players from last year (and some from previous seasons) gathered on that drive.

Thanks.

 

[mwade]

Re: Hard drive recovery?

Looks like the drive may have failed due to computer overheating as the fan on the bottom of the case towards the drives is dead. The one in the upper back and upper side towards back are fine. Just had the computer completely shut off on me twice and I did get an overheating notice when I turned it back on. I opened up one side (not the fans' side) and put a table top fan on the floor pointed into it - will this help for now? Don't want to risk damaging another drive. Also can I just unscrew the non-working fan (I can see screws) - if so how do I choose its replacement. The case is a CoolerMaster (what BS, my old case actually had a temp reading on the front and never had a fan issue). I assume I can't cannibalize from my old desktop as it seems to only have fans mounted on either side - not one on the bottom of the case. Thanks.

 

[NaLune]

Re: Hard drive recovery?

Did you check temperature indicators in BIOS? If there are still major temperature fluctuations there, you'd better to install a more powerful cooling fan.

 

[mwade]

Re: Hard drive recovery?

Don't know how to do that. To be honest, I'm still using the table top fan (lazy/difficult to actually get to this thing w/ how desk is set up/broke). Definitely have to have it on or it shuts down almost immediately (forgot a couple times).

 

[unofan]

Don't know how to do that. To be honest, I'm still using the table top fan (lazy/difficult to actually get to this thing w/ how desk is set up/broke). Definitely have to have it on or it shuts down almost immediately (forgot a couple times).

The fans are normally pretty generic. There's only 2 or 3 sizes. It's normally as simple as unplugging it from the power supply, un screwing the old one, setting the new one in, and hooking it up to the power supply. If you put the new one in backwards (air flowing the wrong way) just flip it around.