To fix a dead HDD

[drip50291]

Hi all! I have my friends Seagate Barracuda 500GB and it is definitely shot. I'm looking for an answer from someone with experience using SpinRite or other recovery software. This is it's state and I want to find out if I should even try:

When turned on it sounds like a dot matrix printer
It does show in Disk Manager as having 4.XMB or GB (can't remember but still totally inaccurate)

So I broke my Raid resetting my CMOS, because I couldn't get into my BIOS or the one time boot to load SpinRite off USB, super face palm but this is the kind of stuff I go through for my friends

Let me know what you guys think, I still think I'm going to go with my original recommendation and tell him to get a new hard drive (or give him one of mine). Is this disk recoverable in any way?

 

[Someone Somewhere]

It may be possible to get data off it, but if it's sounding strange I would not use it for any important data. If you friend has backups, give up now and RMA it to seagate.

 

[tcottrell]

how could anyone answer the question as to whether the disk is recoverable sight unseen. Try it and find out for yourself, if it isn't have them get a new drive.

 

[drip50291]

Thanks Someone Somewhere (perfect screen name btw lol). I agree, if it sounds strange there's no way it's being reused. And to be honest, I don't think there's any life threatening data on here to begin with.

And tcottrell, that's the point of having experience, you know what's possible or what could come about based on certain conditions. I always like telling people to screw off when they come to me with questions (obviously sarcasm). Nobody suggested the freezer trick..

I'll get him a new drive. Thanks guys!!

 

[puttynene]

Your problem is little high. I would recommend you to seek technical person. Browse something like https://www.google.co.in/search?num=100&q=data+recovery&oq=data+recovery&gs_l=serp.3...14124.14124.0.14301.1.1.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.57.serp..1.0.0.tACo3BP1PKs

I am sure you will get your data back soon. Good Luck!

 

[Tecleo_Data_Recovery]

SpinRite is a DIY tool helpful in detecting and marking bad or suspect sectors and detecting imminent drive failures by for instance monitoring the smart logs as well as adding repeat read operations that may help in recovering data but can unfortunately not fix or recover a dead hard drive.

If your friends drive is sounding like a dot matrix printer or any other strange noises then it is most likely suffering from a faulty head stack and/or platter or magnetic field damage and/or firmware corruption. If the data is of value then I would suggest not making any rash decisions that may cause further damage or lead to permanent data loss.

I would strongly suggest you DO NOT:
■ * Replace or swap the (PCB) as that may cause (further) damage to the drives firmware programming and so influence the possibility of recovering the data.
■ ** Replacing the PCB on most modern drives will not make a difference (even if the PCB is faulty) as the firmware for every drive is specific to that drive.
■ * Place the drive in the freezer as condensation will form on the platters that will most likely make any further attempts at recovering the data impossible should you then turn on the drive.
■ * Open the drive. Hard drives are very sensitive to contamination and should only be opened in a controlled clean room environment e.g. class 100 clean room.
■ * Replace or move any internal components without the proper environment, knowledge, tools, equipment and skills.
■ * Run any hard disk utilities (like SpinRite) or DIY data recovery software causing further damage.

I would suggest that you:
■ * Switch the drive off. “Knocking heads” left for an extended period of time will cause permanent damage to the drives magnetic field and or platters.
■ * Find a reputable data recovery company.
■ * Package the drive as if are sending an egg.
■ * Ensure that the original PCB is fitted back onto the drive before being shipped for data recovery – that is should the controller board have been replaced.
■ * Observe safe handling practices including anti-static precautions eliminating further damage.