Fatal device hardware error

jwil

Hi everyone,

I was tranferring some photos from my laptop to an external storage device (seagate). It did the first few lots without any problem, but when I tried to transfer the final lot, I got an error message come up:

D:\ is not accessible

The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error.

I did google and try the first options -checking the drive, trying it in a new device etc but no luck. I then took it to a local computer repair chap who also had no luck. He has suggested sending it to a specialist data recovery centre.

There seem to be various companies online but I wouldn't know where to start. Has anyone used something like this before and can recommend anyone?

Thanks in advance.

Neil_Jones

This is most likely a controller failure.

Depending on the drive model the drive can sometimes be swapped out to another caddy, but its most likely been soldered into place or is bespoke. If it is swappable it may be worth a punt. What is the model number of your external hard drive?

Hope you have other backups :)

jwil

It is Seagate 1tb 9sf2a4500. It's pretty old.

I have backups for a lot, but I doubt I do for everything on it. Ironically while I was transferring the photos I was thinking I need to go through it and see what was on there.

grumpycrab

Cheadle data recovery have a good reputation BUT are not cheap, as you might expect.

Neil_Jones

I thought it would have a mobile drive, but its actually a 3.5" SATA drive. Not a problem.

This video suggests it can just be taken out and you should be able to connect it to an internal SATA port on a desktop computer (if you have one):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu-I1tmvVA8

Pretty sure its worth a punt if you can beg, borrow or obtain a desktop computer. It'll tell you where the problem is anyway. If the desktop can't see it the drive is toast, but if it can the controller in your existing caddy is toast, and if that's the case you can get enclosures four about £20.

jwil

Thank you. That video was really useful. He mentions the clicking in there, and mine was doing that so I guess it's the drive.

I notice that the Cheadle recovery site mention that they don't like it when it's been opened, so we'll have to decide whether we want to try it or not.

Thank you both for your comments!

Neil_Jones

Cheadle is talking about dismantling the hard drive itself, not the enclosure of an external hard drive.
All data recovery companies tell you not to dismantle the actual hard drive itself outside of a special dust free controlled environment.

jwil

That's good to know, thank you