Question Motherboard A2 error - caused by SSD with OS on it - any way to recover the data?

[martij7au]

I came back from a week vacation to boot up my computer, but it would hang on the BIOS splash screen, and I could not input any commands to enter BIOS or anything. The motherboard code was A2. Tried a lot of things which didn't work, but ultimately when I unplugged power and SATA cable from my boot drive SSD, it worked no problem, except of course, no OS, since it was on the failed drive.

I reinstalled Windows on another functioning drive, but since I can't get past the BIOS when the failed drive is connected, I'm not sure how I could possibly get any data off this drive.

Anyone have any methods that might work to recover the data, or get the drive to work, or figure out what happened to the drive?

Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Anyone have any methods that might work to recover the data

Plug it into a different PC, as a secondary drive. Do NOT attempt to boot from it.

If it is still unreadable, invent a time machine.

 

[martij7au]

Plug it into a different PC, as a secondary drive. Do NOT attempt to boot from it.

If it is still unreadable, invent a time machine.

I've seen SATA-to-USB cables - any chance that would work? I'm going to try connecting it to another PC, but was curious if this might be another option.

 

[USAFRet]

I've seen SATA-to-USB cables - any chance that would work? I'm going to try connecting it to another PC, but was curious if this might be another option.

A self powered dock would be better.

One of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Docking-Station-EC-UBLB/dp/B075GJ3P3B

https://www.amazon.com/SSK-External-Docking-Enclosure-Supports/dp/B08P1539VD

Power it up only after the host system is running.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Anyone have any methods that might work to recover the data, or get the drive to work, or figure out what happened to the drive?

Method 1:
Connecting drive with USB SATA adapter/enclosure after system has already loaded into windows.
Method 2:
Enabling hot plug feature in BIOS for specific sata port and connect drive to the port after system has already loaded into windows.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Plug it into a different PC, as a secondary drive. Do NOT attempt to boot from it

No need for second pc, to do that.
There is already windows installed on another drive.

 

[martij7au]

No need for second pc, to do that.
There is already windows installed on another drive.

It wouldn't boot on my PC if it was plugged in at all, I think thats why he suggested a second PC (code A2 on the Mobo)

 

[martij7au]

Method 1:
Connecting drive with USB SATA adapter/enclosure after system has already loaded into windows.
Method 2:
Enabling hot plug feature in BIOS for specific sata port and connect drive to the port after system has already loaded into windows.

I've heard people talk about Power cycling - is that a thing that might help? I think I'm going to buy a SATA USB adapter, but saw that as an option, and was curious if that was possible/likely to help.

 

[SkyNetRising]

It wouldn't boot on my PC if it was plugged in at all, I think thats why he suggested a second PC (code A2 on the Mobo)

Then it won't permit boot on second pc either.

 

[USAFRet]

I've heard people talk about Power cycling - is that a thing that might help? I think I'm going to buy a SATA USB adapter, but saw that as an option, and was curious if that was possible/likely to help.

Try the dock thing first.
Then, we proceed from there.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I've heard people talk about Power cycling - is that a thing that might help?

Not power cycling.
Boot with failed drive connected into BIOS and keep pc on for couple hours.
That can sometimes make SSD usable again.

 

[martij7au]

Try the dock thing first.
Then, we proceed from there.

Ok - sounds good. I ordered a dock. I'll post a reply/update once I try that method. Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

Ok - sounds good. I ordered a dock. I'll post a reply/update once I try that method. Thanks!

And BTW, your desire for the data off this drive is specifically why we preach backups so much.

A dead drive should be no more than "Oh bother, I need a new drive". Your data should never be at risk.

 

[martij7au]

And BTW, your desire for the data off this drive is specifically why we preach backups so much.

A dead drive should be no more than "Oh bother, I need a new drive". Your data should never be at risk.

Yeah - I hear you. I don't keep anything super important on there that I can't live without, but having a backup would have sure been handy.

 

[martij7au]

And BTW, your desire for the data off this drive is specifically why we preach backups so much.

A dead drive should be no more than "Oh bother, I need a new drive". Your data should never be at risk.

When you say backups, what exactly do you (and others) typically mean? Obviously there are ways to backup certain files, but is there a way to backup an entire image of the hard drive? Which is typical? My thought would be that if I only really need to retain certain important files, I could back those up which would take much less space, but a full image would be easier to recover to.

Any thoughts - or perhaps are there resources you can point me to? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[USAFRet]

When you say backups, what exactly do you (and others) typically mean? Obviously there are ways to backup certain files, but is there a way to backup an entire image of the hard drive? Which is typical? My thought would be that if I only really need to retain certain important files, I could back those up which would take much less space, but a full image would be easier to recover to.

Any thoughts - or perhaps are there resources you can point me to? Thanks in advance for any help.

I do Full drive images, followed by a series of Incrementals. Macrium Reflect.

Trying to do folder by folder, people invariably forget that one important set of files.
Drive space is cheap.

This, from several years ago.
My procedure is somewhat modified since I wrote it, but the basics:

What is your backup situation at home?

What is your backup situation at home? And if you don't do that, why not? Every single day, I read multiple threads here of "How do I get my stuff back?" or "That drive had 5 years of photos of my kids!!" Be it a dead drive, dropped phone, virus, accidental deletion, formatting the wrong...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[USAFRet]

Your data should never be at the mercy of a single device.
The concept is 3-2-1
3 copies, on at least 2 different media, at least one offsite or otherwise inaccessible.

 

[martij7au]

I do Full drive images, followed by a series of Incrementals. Macrium Reflect.

Trying to do folder by folder, people invariably forget that one important set of files.
Drive space is cheap.

This, from several years ago.
My procedure is somewhat modified since I wrote it, but the basics:

What is your backup situation at home?

What is your backup situation at home? And if you don't do that, why not? Every single day, I read multiple threads here of "How do I get my stuff back?" or "That drive had 5 years of photos of my kids!!" Be it a dead drive, dropped phone, virus, accidental deletion, formatting the wrong...

forums.tomshardware.com

thank you! very helpful. When you say USB drive - are you talking like an external hard drive that connects via USB? or like a flash drive? I'm thinking an external USB hard drive would be cheaper and have more storage. I think your setup sounds quite reliable but I would not need this level of backup, just an occasional backup to ensure I dont lose important documents.

 

[USAFRet]

thank you! very helpful. When you say USB drive - are you talking like an external hard drive that connects via USB? or like a flash drive? I'm thinking an external USB hard drive would be cheaper and have more storage. I think your setup sounds quite reliable but I would not need this level of backup, just an occasional backup to ensure I dont lose important documents.

NOT a flash drive. I use those only as sneakernet devices. Temporary.

A real HDD or SSD for backups is what you want.

 

[martij7au]

NOT a flash drive. I use those only as sneakernet devices. Temporary.

A real HDD or SSD for backups is what you want.

So, an HDD or an SSD connected via something like the dock you linked before?

 

[martij7au]

Try the dock thing first.
Then, we proceed from there.

The dock was not successful. It did not recognize the drive at all. The dock did work with a new HDD i bought for backup purposes though. Seems like maybe my drive is dead for good?

 

[USAFRet]

The dock was not successful. It did not recognize the drive at all. The dock did work with a new HDD i bought for backup purposes though. Seems like maybe my drive is dead for good?

Thats what it looks like.

 

[martij7au]

Thats what it looks like.

bummer. Oh well, live and learn. Thanks for the help. I at least have a rudimentary backup system in place now for the next time I lose a drive.

 

[USAFRet]

bummer. Oh well, live and learn. Thanks for the help. I at least have a rudimentary backup system in place now for the next time I lose a drive.

There is little reason to settle for "rudimentary".

Good software is cheap, drive space is cheap....

But, rudimentary is better than 0...

 

[martij7au]

There is little reason to settle for "rudimentary".

Good software is cheap, drive space is cheap....

But, rudimentary is better than 0...

Im using macrium for backups, and I bought a 4TB hard drive - will let me store a few backups on it. That should be a good start anyway.