PC hardware forum: How to recover data off dead hard drive

Can you guys offer some opinions on some of the software that is selling on the internet, such as Hard Drive Mechanic, which claims to be a "wonder drug?" Do they really work??

Thanks.

Yes, I did. Didn't help.

Tell us the EXACT TEXT of ALL your "error messages."

Beyond all you read here, a few ideas.

You should in this order, google these.

1. XP TAKE OWNERSHIP.
2. USB HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURES.
3. DRIVESAVERS.
Bob

The discussion is about recovery. If your data isn't worth it, then you can decide what to do next.
Bob

first determine if the drive is running or not. Actually listen to it and feel it when the system is turned on. Try to tell if the heads are synching up with the disk when it is turned on. Is it making a constant slow click sound such as a head would make as it seeks the disk for data. If you dont hear or feel the drive running at all I am afraid you would need to take it to a recovery technician where the drive is actually disassembled to get the data off of the disk. This is very expensive. If the Drive is running and seeking then your problem could be solved by useing a disk utility of some sort but from my experience of many years it doesnt work very often if the drive is bad. I would get the new system running and take your drive to a computer shop and just ask them to do a data transfer onto a new drive. Or even just ask them to test it to see if it is good. They will charge something just to test but then you know right where you stand. Dont mention that the drive is bad, If they come back and tell you it cant be done without big bucks then it is probobly true and even then no one can garauntee data integrity until after they have it. No one! That is the cheapest way to find out if the drive is bad or if your skills are just a little limited for this duty. It may seem a little dishonest but if you walk in and say My computer died and my data is gone help me! I can assure you they will charge you much much more. A data transfer and the price of a new hard disk should be less than 200.00. Not much but less. Ideally you would take the new computer and ask for a data transfer to the new drive or to just install the old drive in the new machine but then if something in the new one doesnt work who is to blame. This is a judgment call. Buy software that you will use once and probobly wont work or take to a facility and ask for help. Thats for a decent drive. I would not connect the bad drive to my new computer until it is tested at a reputable repair shop and shown to be good. Bad drives can corrupt and destroy other components without notice. At the shop I managed for awhile HL Computer we tested drives all the time so I know you can find someone to check it out. Let me know

Your suggestions for alidickinson reflect a lot of experience. I have a 120Gb IDE drive and it just stopped working, although I suspect the entire external case was dropped, but noone will admit it. It whirrs (no louder than usual) when I plug it in. It gets warm like usual, not hot. I have it in an external USB case. It does not even make the USB connection sounds any more and won't appear in the My Computer list. When I go to Adminstration Tools > Computer Management, it does not appear in the storage list. I really need this data. When I opened the case, I see the vendor tricked me by putting in a 120Gb Maxtor with words "Refurbished to Maxtor's Specifications", whatever that means!!!
What would you suggest? I was thinking of putting it on as slave to a desktop to see it it makes a difference, but then I see the more you run it, if it is damaged, the lower the chance of full recovery. The drive has precious family memories and no backups anywhere.

I take all the advice you gave alidickinson so maybe you can suggest something to try in this case. Also in your opinion do these data recovery program really work, or are they just a waste of money. If you can't see a drive how can you access its data? I don't have much skill with this either, but I agree the computer stores may just charge me the earth to tell me what I already know, or worse, lose the data. It has kept me up with late nights, hence the nickname "latenights"

I will await your reply before I turn it on again.

I am located in Netherlands Antilles (Dutch Caribbean), but I will have a friend traveling to Miami soon.

How much experience have you had doing this?

Could you give me an approximate price?

THanks in advance

you could always try pressing f2 on boot up on the pc and check to see if the hdd is active on the BIOS screen