1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Dropped Hard Drive, Stopped Working!!! HELP!

Discussion in 'Technology Advice' started by Brom27, Dec 17, 2016.

  1. Brom27
    Offline

    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    It was good at first. I think this hard drive fell like 4 times already, the last being today and didn't survive, I'm afraid they can't be cats and have 9 lives.
  2. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    There is an arm that floats nanometres above the disk magnetic surface of the disk, actually there are multiple arms that read each platter, they fly above the surface at an unbelievably tiny distance, when hit or under gravitational stress the read arms are parked as fast as the hardware can manage, the issue is that the hardware cannot always mange to do this in time.

    If the read head hits the disk it damages the information stored on the disk, most disks fail because the motor that controls the arm fails or gets stuck, sometimes the main drive motor fails.

    A lot of failures are not actually due to the rotating parts but to a failed disk controller board, problem is you never really know.
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2016
    • Like Like x 1
  3. DavidAlma
    Offline

    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    I agree with everything that oss has said. Hard drives can fail at any time, specially if subjected to high g shocks, and it is only common sense to have the contents of the drive backed up onto some other media. There are companies that specialise in data recovery and in your case it is your safest bet. Be warned though, they don't come cheap and there are no guarantees. I have no idea if there are any such companies in Philippines. Do not touch it yourself, nor entrust it it to a computer-wizz friend. No matter how well intentioned they are, without the necessary skills and tools, your chances are minimal. Having said all that, I really wish you well in recovering your lost data, it is heartbreaking when so much of your life in pictures is lost.
    • Like Like x 1
  4. Brom27
    Offline

    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Yes I would've thought it wouldn't be easy doing it here so I'll just leave it for now and then hopefully when I'm in the UK I can get it sorted.

    Yeah it's really heartbreaking and I can't do anything about it now but thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it. :)
  5. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Just read this and am interested in the denouement.

    Did poor @Brom27 have any luck in retrieving his precious memories?

    I have owned quite a few desktop / laptops and possess many, many, USB sticks up to 128gb - which I've been using to back up. I've also got a few old HDs in caddies - ready for perusal back-up. Can be quite exciting seeing an old pic you'd forgotten about.

    I hope this thread has a happy ending!

    Gerry
    • Like Like x 1
  6. Dave_E
    Offline

    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    :eek:
    • Funny Funny x 2
  7. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Lol - naturally I'm not referring to the massage parlour HE.

    Fnarr!

    G
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Brom27
    Offline

    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Well thanks for reminding me :D I've not actually sorted it out. I was waiting to come here so I can ask my fiance to find a good shop to do it.

    I really hope it's a happy ending :D
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Good!!!
  10. Drunken Max
    Offline

    Drunken Max Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    When you recover your stuff. Sync your photos folder with a OneDrive account from Microsoft and then set your phone to autoupload when connected to wifi. Nothing is then lost, ever.
    • Like Like x 1
  11. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Glenn now that you are in the UK maybe I can help, don't do anything, as I mentioned before the average shop here will be just as clueless as the average shop or smart computer friend in the Philippines.

    I will PM you later maybe tomorrow I am busy today, there is a chance that I could help you remotely, all you need is a disk caddy and they can be bought for as little as £10, if you have one I could connect remotely and run a forensic program that would tell me what kind of recovery approach you need and what your chances are of recovery.
    • Like Like x 2
  12. Brom27
    Offline

    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    That's very nice of you Jim. Hehe I will try and find that thing you said here. I'm still hoping all my files will be recovered. :cry:
  13. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    It is definitely a laptop drive yes?

    2.5 inch drive.

    This is the first one I found looking on amazon and should do the job :

    • Like Like x 1
  14. walesrob
    Offline

    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    Just to give you some ideas, here's a list from Amazon of Disk Caddys. I have the one listed at the top, I can well recommend it.

    Jim, I have an old copy of Stellar Recovery software https://www.stellarinfo.com/ Used it only once a few years ago when Elsa had a blonde moment and moved windows system files into the Games folder (don't ask) and I was amazed how much it recovered.
    • Like Like x 1
  15. Brom27
    Offline

    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    20170225_124256-747x1328.jpg

    That's the drive like.
  16. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Ok it is external so no need for a drive caddy.

    It should be easy to check in that case, you said before that it still vibrates when it is plugged in, so the drive motor is still working?
    • Like Like x 1
  17. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Winhex is a drive forensic program which I have a licence to use, it is the lowest level drive analysis program that I am aware of, if Winhex can't read a drive nothing can :)

    It gets used by law enforcement agencies :)
  18. Brom27
    Offline

    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Sorry I just checked and yes it still vibrates with a sound in it. Is this a good sign?
  19. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Yes it means that there is a chance that the physical disk will be readable, the fact that it vibrates means that at least the main motor that spins the disk is still working the next question is are the read heads able to scan the disk.

    With luck it will be damage to the logical disk, Winhex will be able to read the physical disk and find lost partitions and be able to read the directory structure.

    Do you have access to a laptop or a PC? I will need to be able to connect remotely and install my copy of Winhex on the laptop in order to inspect the disk.
    • Like Like x 1
  20. Brom27
    Offline

    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I have a laptop yes, just let me know what I should do if you are free. Thanks Jim :)

Share This Page