Solved HDD Failure? (still spins up)

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Mark

PCHF Member
Jan 15, 2018
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Hey all,
Its my first time posting here and wondering if anyone can help?

My slave HDD stopped working a week or so ago and is now seen as unknown device on my pc (in device manager).

The drive still spins up and in fact got it to show when i put it into a different sata port for a few minutes but pc said there was an issue and couldnt unlock drive (bitlocker).

so my question is - do you think this drive is dead or should i try replacing the pcb?

Thanks in advance
Mark
 
Hello

Were there any issues with the HDD prior to HDD failing to start?
Hopefully more of our members will chime in soon.

@Evan Omo
 
There wasnt any issues that i noticed at all. i just asumed that a connection had come loose but cant get it going. i downloaded a hdd health program and it kind of shows but no information on it. (unknown hdd)
 
age?
not that it really matters, hard drives may give the 'click of death', go slow, through up CRC errors or just plain die without warning.
since they cost so little these days, and what with yours being a slave, I'd not even bother touching the controller board or trying to re-use it, time to replace it.
(and get that SSD you have been dreaming of, then imaging the current c:\ to it and using it as the main drive - come on, you know you want to) (y)
 
Hey thanks for your reply.
I already run ssd for my C drive, the slave has data on it I want to get back then I will dispose of it.

Mark
 
as far as data recovery goes, all I'll add is try Recuva, don't bother with the Pro version, the Free has the same functionality.
it seems to be popular so hopefully that equates to success but again, all depends on state of the drive.
and when MS machines can't access 'dead' drives, I've had slightly better access success when using Linux PC's, so maybe try one of those.
 
never forgot a Systems Analyst lecture in 1985 when the lecturer said, "backup now and backup often, no-one has ever been sacked for backing up too much".
 
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Hey, I changed the pcb of an exact same drive (firmware aswell) and the same. Drive still spinning up but not in bios.
 
everything is pointing to a dead drive.
replace it.
as far as recovering data goes, sounds like nothing in your mortal realm is going to help. if its contents are mission critical, it's time to consider professional data recovery solutions - but be warned, they are not cheap so your data needs to be important enough to go down that path.
 
Unfortunately i think ive lost all data. Would it be worth trying to get identical working drive and transfer platters over?
 
Opening up a HDD needs to be done in a clean room environment, this one reason why data recovery services are so expensive.

Give Puppy Linux a try "how to" below.

===================

***Required Hardware***

CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,

Blank CD,

Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)

===================

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

  • Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso)


    Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software

    There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; /

    For computers that have UEFI as opposed to legacy BIOS, to be able to boot from your USB device you may need to disable secure boot and change UEFI to CSM Boot, not all computers and BIOS are the same, please refer to your user manual if you have one as the following steps are only one such example.

    Restart the computer, Windows 8 and 8.1 from the Start or desktop screen move your mouse pointer over the upper or lower right corner of the screen, when the Windows Charms appear click the Settings Charm, click on Power and then the Restart option.

    Windows 10, Click on Start,Power and then Restart.

    While the computer is re-starting,you will need to continually tap or hold down the particular key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer, we will use the F2 key as an example here;

    After restarting the computer, when the screen goes black, press and hold down the F2 key, wait for the BIOS to load.

    Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

    Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

    Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

    Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

    If your computer will not boot into Windows at all, power up or restart the computer continually tap or hold down the key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer and then do the following;

    Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

    Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

    Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

    Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

  • Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer

  • Extract All files to a location you can remember

  • Double Click
    upload_2018-1-29_18-16-7.jpeg
    BurnCDCC

  • Click Browse
    upload_2018-1-29_18-16-7.png
    and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded

  • Open/Double Click that file

    IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x

  • Click Start

  • Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically

  • Insert a blank CD and close the tray

  • Click OK
Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created

2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

  • Start the computer/press the power button

  • Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"

    (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)

  • Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:

    CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd

  • Open your ROM drive and insert the disk

  • Press F10 to save and exit

  • Agree with "Y" to continue

  • Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD




    x4,P20BIOSBootPriorityImage.png.pagespeed.ic.zlBL1yz7jZ.jpg



3. Recover Your Data

  • Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.


    3a. Mount Drives


  • Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
    upload_2018-1-29_18-16-7.jpeg



  • A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.


  • Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.


  • USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.


  • If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

3b. Transfer Files.

  • At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.


  • Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1


  • Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1


  • If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)


  • From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.
    For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders for XP is: Documents and Settings >>All Users (or each individual name of each user, for Vista and above C:\Users\$USERNAME\[...]. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!
 
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