Recovering data

[ptsy]

Hi banana,

You seem like a pro and a helpful one too!

My PC crashed recently and I had the hard disk replaced. The PC's now working fine. My problem is the computer guy told me that there's no way I could recover any data in my old hard disk.

I am still holding on to the old hard disk, praying and hoping that someone (perhaps you) would come along and help me solve this problem.

Appreciate your reply.

[Strong Eagle]

What do you mean by crashed? You could have a failure on the first track which means it would not boot but otherwise be useable as a second disk in your computer. This would be the easiest thing to try. You might need some expertise in getting the disk to be recognized. However, if the drive is more sick, then things change.

How much do you value you data? If your hard disk really crashed, it means the heads touched the platters and created all kinds of trash inside the mechanism. Or maybe you had a head electronics failure or some other non physical failure.

There are companies that will open your hard drive in a clean room, remove the trash, and apply techniques to recover what what is left on the platters. It really depends how badly trashed the disk is on how much data you will get back. For an electronics failure, it might be pretty good but if the platters look like a ploughed rice field because the heads made contact, not so good. Just consider for a moment... one head briefly touches the platter and trashes a couple of tracks. But, it kicks up trash that fills the disk. The next time the heads move, a piece of trash is caught under another head and it too, crashes. You get the idea.

This is also quite expensive, ranging from $1,500 US on up... you should expect $3,000 for a really good job. And it may not work. Do not be swayed by the fly by night artists who claim to recover your data for a few hundred dollars. This is an equipment intensive and labor intensive process. You'll be out the few hundred dollars and still not have any data.

[banana]

What SE said. You might have read of data recovery technology advancing to the point where short of reducing the HDD to ash, data can still be recovered. Chances are such technology is not within reach to people like you and I. Even then, it is still something of a black art.

Having said that, define crash. Does the HDD make a horrible clacking noise when it is being accessed? If so, throw it out. Otherwise, you still have a sliver of hope. There are 3rd party software available for data recovery with the more reliable ones being proprietary. I recommend EzyRecovery Pro or HardDisk Mechanic.

Thanks for reminding me I spend too much time on the PC.

[doctorpc]

Did the computer guy explained further to you why it's beyond recovery?
Was it due to a mechanical failure?
How old is the HD?
Do you have the brand, model and size (especially spaced used)?
Are you prepared to send it for data recovery servicing if the price is
affordable?

8)

[ptsy]

Hi Alan, banana & doctorpc,

Appreciate your responses.

There wasn't any cracking noises. I'm quite a newbie in computer knowledge. The term "crashed" was used by the computer guy.

The computer guy did mention something about the heads touching the platters. He did say though that "the motherboard can even read the HDD, how to recover?".

Yes, doctorpc. If the price is affordable, of course I'm prepared. It's a Seagate, Model: St320014A. I'm not sure but I think it's 40gb and about 2 years old.

Thanks also banana for the recommendations of EzyRecovery Pro and HardDisk Mechanic. The problem is (embrassingly), I won't know how to try them!

[ptsy]

Hi guys,

I'm sorry, typo error. Should be " the motherboard can't even read the HDD, how to recover?".

Many thanks again.

[doctorpc]

The computer guy did mention something about the heads touching the platters. He did say though that "the motherboard can even read the HDD, how to recover?".

ptsy, your HDD may be intact but I'd need to do diagnostic tests on it first to assess it's condition. If it's intact, data recovery will be quick and affordable. If it's beyond recovery, you only pay a small cost for the tests. Email me to discuss further.

[banana]

Seagate ST320014A is a 20gb HDD. Seagate HDDs are usually built tough so you might have a chance. If the motherboard can't detect the HDD, it could just be a fried circuit which can be replaced from another identical model HDD and steady hands.

[Carpe Diem]

Customer: "You've got to fix my computer. I urgently need to print a document, but the computer won't boot properly."
Tech Support: "What does it say?"
Customer: "Something about an error and non-system disk."
Tech Support: "Look at your machine. Is there a floppy inside?"
Customer: "No, but there's a sticker saying there's an Intel inside."

Tech Support: "Just call us back if there's a problem. We're open 24 hours."
Customer: "Is that Eastern time?"

Tech Support: "Ok, now click your left mouse button."
Customer: (silence) "But I only have one mouse."

Customer: "Excuse me can I use this disk? It has a hole in it.

Tech Support: "Do you have 3 1/2 inch diskettes?"
Customer: "No, I only have 3 of them."

Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop."
Customer: "Ok."
Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No."
Tech Support: "Ok. Right click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No."
Tech Support: "Ok, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?"
Customer: "Sure, you told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'."

Customer: "Now what do I do?"
Tech Support: "What is the prompt on the screen?"
Customer: "It's asking for 'Enter Your Last Name.'"
Tech Support: "Ok, so type in your last name."
Customer: "How do you spell that?"

Customer: "I received the software update you sent, but I am still getting the same error message."
Tech Support: "Did you install the update?"
Customer: "No. Oh, am I supposed to install it to get it to work?"

[ptsy]

Thanks banana, your last posting's most consoling. I'll try to find someone who can help me with trying that out. At least I've got a direction! Appreciate.

BTW, doctorpc, could you please post your email address? I've forgotten my password and really have no time to start redoing it again. The pc's again snail-pace!

Thanks again!

[doctorpc]

Thanks banana, your last posting's most consoling. I'll try to find someone who can help me with trying that out. At least I've got a direction! Appreciate.

BTW, doctorpc, could you please post your email address? I've forgotten my password and really have no time to start redoing it again. The pc's again snail-pace!

Thanks again!

Here's my email:

d o c t o r p c @ p o s t . c o m

Btw, a PC's HW and OS can be optimally configured and tuned to boot and run faster. For instance, a P3 1 Ghz can boot up in under 45s.

Also, a PC (without a suite of security utilities) could run slowly due to the heavy work of a spyware/trojan running in the background.

Talk to you soon.

8)

[ptsy]

Thanks, doctorpc. I will contact you when I have the need. Right now, I thought I should give my computer guy a chance to try it out.

[doctorpc]

Is everything ok?

[Strong Eagle]

Actual (supposed) dialog of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee:

"Ridge Hall, computer assistant. May I help you?"

"Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."

"What sort of trouble?"

"Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."

"Went away?"

"They disappeared."

"Hmmm. So what does your screen look like now?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."

"Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"

"How do I tell?"

"Can you see the C:\ prompt on the screen?"

"What's a sea-prompt?"

"Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen?"

"There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type."

"Does your monitor have a power indicator?"

"What's a monitor?"

"It's the thing that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you it's on?"

"I don't know."

"Well, then look at the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?"

(pause) "Yes, I think so."

"Great! Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."

(pause) "Yes, it is."

"When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"

"No."

"Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."

(pause) "Okay, here it is."

"Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."

"I can't reach."

"Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"

"No."

"Even if you put your knee on something and lean way over?"

"Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle... it's because it's dark."

"Dark?"

"Yes... the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."

"Well, turn on the office light, then."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because there's a power outage."

"A power... a power outage? Aha! Okay, we've got it licked not. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?"

"Well, yes. I keep them in the closet."

"Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then, take it back to the store you bought it from."

"Really? Is it that bad?"

"Yes, I'm afraid it is."

"Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"

"Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer."

[Carpe Diem]

Thanks. That was fun. But you should move your posts to Jokes, ... The Moderators might not like your humour.