External hard drive failed

DCFC79

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Which part did you not think you could do?

The command prompt and the MBR which Ive never heard of.

[Deleted User]

The MBR is the Master Boot Record.

In simple terms, it tells the computer where to find data, in particular the OS.

If it's corrupted, the computer can't locate the data it needs, to operate.

The Command Prompt goes all the way back to the days of DOS, but still has its uses, such as pinging a website.

bsod

be careful what you install, some recovery software (including one mentioned) comes bundled with unwanted and undesirable extra's (opencandy)

pendragon_arther

bsod wrote: »

Haven't misquoted or altered any words, and don't intend to, there is no need.

The inference that a problem with a hard disk not mounting under windows is going to be fixed by (almost) freezing it, and any worries about water or frost or temperature damage can be dispelled by placing it in a flimsy freezer bag is ridiculous, as is relying on technical advice from youtube video's.

The op hasn't provided any update, maybe it's currently in the land of the ice lolly, so once you have had your final say, lets leave it there?

You may have heard of Seagate, they make hard disks -

http://blog.seagate.com/business/friends-dont-let-friends-freeze-their-hard-drives/

I've heard of the freezer method being used successfully, albeit many yonks ago.

OP: also try error checking in safemode. I have a 500gb external hd and was unable to read from it so this is what I did; boot to safemode, select the drive and select properties, tools, error check and ticked BOTH boxes and left it to run. It took about 18 hours but fixed the problem.

bsod

I've heard claims of alien abduction, magnets that improve fuel efficiency along with health and wealth, ghosts and contact with the spirit world, broken watches that suddenly come to life if shaken during a tv programme on the topic, and a whole host of other nonsense, none of which stand up to any form of scrutiny

The op with a possible corrupt partition table isn't going to flip a significant bit from one to a zero by placing it next to the fish fingers for a few hours, so this debate, whilst entertaining, is distracting from the matter at hand.

AndyPix

My advice would be to download a Linux live dist, stick it on a usb stick, boot from it and then use Linux to copy any files from the "dead" disk to a readable one.

Do not, as has been mentioned, freeze your drive

The "freeze trick" is mainly used to free a stuck read head from the platter.
In that case, you would hear a very quiet, high pitched noise coming from the drive

If it clicks, then it means the read head cannot find its resting spot and just keeps bouncing back and forth, so freezing it will be of no use .. In this case you will have to use a data recovery company .. It will cost around £250

If it neither clicks, or does the little high pitch noise, then you should be able to use Linux live to rip your data off.

Andy

AndyPix

My Bad -

I didn't read the OP's post properly and have given advice on how to get files from a hard drive that wouldn't boot ..
As it is an external one that's having the problem, you may find that Linux cannot read it either.

You can get a IDE caddy quite cheap off ebay, or a sata adapter as mentioned

Other than that, its off to the data recovery shop.
They will remove the platter and put it into a "doner" hard drive - to get your files off.

Assuming that your files are worth the cost to you

Andy

almillar

I was the one that said vacuum.
I also said don't put it in the freezer, and I never mentioned freezer bags.
If not a vacuum, aren't the platters in an airtight container?
Anyway, this drive should still be plugged into a computer as I've heard nothing to say there's anything PHYSICALLY wrong with it...

AndyPix

almillar wrote: »

I was the one that said vacuum.
I also said don't put it in the freezer, and I never mentioned freezer bags.
If not a vacuum, aren't the platters in an airtight container?
Anyway, this drive should still be plugged into a computer as I've heard nothing to say there's anything PHYSICALLY wrong with it...

There is no vacuum inside a HDD.
The platter sits inside an airtight container and is designed with a little piece of foam on one side that catches any bits of dust or whatever that do manage to get in.

enfield_freddy

there is also mention that one day the drive made clicking noises , the next it did,nt , which suggests that on the days of no clicking noises , it was not looking for a MBR