Getting data from a corrupted hard drive

Mr._OCaz

Ok so a a few weeks ago my desktop computer was constantly rebooting in a cycle without even getting to windows start up screen. My computer was quite old and was having a few problems which I am not bothered about fixing my old computer as I now have another machine my only concern is getting pictures off of my old hard drive which appears to be corrupted.

So I bought one of these -

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48965

It sounds like it is spinning fine and it is appears as another drive in my computer on my new machine when it is connected but when I click on it I get this message -

F:/ is not accessible

The file or directory is corrupted or unreadable

Now what I want to know is there away I can get the data off of it with a program that won't cost loads of money or paying a specialist to do it? I only want the pictures off of it which are from the last few years (I know I should have backed up but have learned my lesson now :mad:)

Any help and advice appreciated

enigma52

you could try a data recovery prog such as Recuva (its free) otherwise it may be send it to a specialist company (very expensive)

Mr._OCaz

Tried that program but got same message :mad:

[Deleted User]

See here for 4 other apps to try: http://lifehacker.com/5237503/

Browntoa

I take it you have swapped settings on the drive to Slave if its an IDE drive ??

did you have a User Id password on the old PC ?? makes the files awkward to get off

try booting the PC it came from (or is connected to ) with a Linux CD

http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download

and see if you can view the files using Linux , you will need to boot the PC with the Maplins adapter already plugged in

closed

Does it boot, or attempt to boot in the old machine, and it is making any strange noises, clicking etc.

Mr._OCaz

CLOSED; It sounds like it is spinning fine, in the old machine it just booted in a constant loop, couldn't start in safe mode as there is no option to do so and I have got the installation disk but it is not recognising it is in the disk drive (think disk drive might be knackered too) as tried to boot from disk to try repair the drive.

BRONW TOA;It is a SATA hard drive, I don't fancy installing a new operating system. Tried recuva but it brings up the same message and says it is unable to read MFT. Is there a way to recover this?

enigma52

rather than a linux cd you could also try Hirens boot cd, it has disk tools and recovery tools on it, also you could do a recovery instal which would leave your files intact provided you have the original windows cd.

Mr._OCaz

Right I am little techie but don't want to try something that I don't really understand

asininity

The ubuntu LiveCD wont install its OS useless you tell it to. Basically the OS runs from the CD and wont touch your harddrive, in much the same way Hirens BootCD.

All you need to do once booted up is search for your files and move them to your new harddrive.

enigma52

if you connect it to your new machine , then go into disk management(rt click my computer, then manage, then disk management), what is the description etc. of this old drive, ie basic, primary, network or something else?