Retrieving data from dead hard drive, how much??

Stabilo

sleepali wrote:

I do not have !!!!!! or any such material on my hard drive!!

I did back up not too long ago but it's recent family photo's and my coursework/documents that I wanted to retrieve more than anything.

It bothers me that there will also be all sorts of user info on there too such as bank details, account numbers, passwords etc.......

The model is a Maxtor Diamond 10 200GB, funnily enough bought after info on this site.

It is not making any noise at all. I had a 120GB hard drive on the same PC which is also dead, not too bothered about that one 'cos I kept the O/S and Programs only on it.

There is no way I will be paying all that money to get my files back so look like a new PC for me, grrrrrrrr

Why a new PC? If you get a flat tyre do you buy a new car ?

Malestrom

If you've lost two hard drives on the same PC then i'd be worried!

sleepali

What I have now done is buy a 'cheap' PC from ebuyer. I have been told that I may be able to get some software to load on the new PC and access the data from the 'damaged' HDD.

Has anyone else had to do this and if possible could you recommend the software used?

I would also like to transfer my OS and files from a 40GB HDD on to a new 200GB hard drive, how do I do this please. I can drag and drop (or copy & paste) certain files but, as the system is using the OS, it won't allow me to copy them on to the bigger HDD.

I know that one of you will be able to help me?

Thanx in anticipation

greyster

I'm not aware of special s/w which is capable of reading a damaged harddisk. The drive is either accessible or is not. Recovery from a damaged HDD is a costly business and the cheapest route I think would be to buy a similar hard disk and attempt to swap the HD platters, with or without a little help.

Data recovery in this nature is associated with businesses who have lost data worth the £££ to retrieve it. However they hardly need to take this route with the numerous backup technologies available to them. Just to highlight the small niche market HDD data recovery is.

With regard to your two working HHDs - I would install Windows on the larger Harddisk for two reasons. The first so you can access the files you currently can't on the other harddisk and secondly because your larger one is probably faster. It means Windows, applications etc will load that little bit faster. Get your smaller disk used as a secondary drive for the stuff you don't use as much.

Good luck.

Threepints

Have a look at this article http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1139

There is software available that allows recovery from failed hard drives.

greyster

That guide is very useful if its a non-physical problem like human error, taxing viruses etc but not sure how helpful it will be with regard to usses involving physical damage to the harddisk.

It says within the article,

First, a small disclaimer: All the processes described from here on are strictly for resolving software issues with your data, like accidentally deleting partitions or files. If your hard drive has a physical problem, if it is making strange noises, shaking, rattling or smoking, nothing here will apply. Turn your computer off, unplug the drive and call a data recovery service if your files are vital.

sleepali

Thanx for your feedback. Looks like I'll just have to stick the drive in the freezer before I return it & hope that helps to permanently 'lose' my info??

On the other subject though, how can I copy my data from the small HDD to the large HDD please?

Sorry for mithering but I need the advice.

Thanx again

Stabilo

sleepali wrote:

Thanx for your feedback. Looks like I'll just have to stick the drive in the freezer before I return it & hope that helps to permanently 'lose' my info??

On the other subject though, how can I copy my data from the small HDD to the large HDD please?

Sorry for mithering but I need the advice.

Thanx again

Try Norton Ghost to copy the drive.

greyster

i did answer your question in the last paragraph of my last post. Although the above post's answer is a viable answer too.

matty_c608

DIY IT :P

http://www.hackaday.com/entry/1234000840067578/