Hard drive failure - Data recovery?

[Big'n slo]

While I was away this past weekend it seems that an electrical storm rolled through. I, of course, left my computer on at home. To make a long story short, my hard drive is fried, I have no backup, and I'm up the proverbial creek, with a hole in the boat, no paddle, and I'm all outta beer

Has anyone dealt with any data recovery companies? What cost is reasonable for recovery of about 20GB?

[Miscue]

Thousands of dollars if they have to disassemble the drive and read off the platters.
If the board is fried, they can replace it for big bucks.

Does the drive not spin? From time to time, I've saved drives by beating on them or by opening them up and spinning the drive... which can give you enough time to back some stuff up.

If the drive kinda works, you may be able to use a Tiramisu-like recovery program... if worse comes to worse.

[RamboPreacher]

been there...

actually, it has been my experience that if it is not "corporate" data (as opposed to home data), then it is probably gonna be "too" expensive. Most placeed cherge by the amount of data, so if you can me more specific of what you want (filenames), that may bring the costs down.

These guys will give you a free quote/guestimate - http://www.drivesavers.com

[Big'n slo]

Not sure what to do

The drive seems to spin up but I can't get a computer to recognize it. I tried to slave it, tried IBM drive health checker, it couldn't see the HD. So far its looking anywhere between $600 and $2900 for a recovery company to retrieve the data.

Unfortunately the computer was used more as a office computer than a home computer. I've lost a lot of "business" files and such. Hopefully one of the companies that I work for can help with the recovery bill. And the purchace of a DVD burner for future backups.

[WickeDKlowN]

You jinxed me! I read the topic and thought "Damn, it would suck if my HDD failed again" then about 30 mins later, I go to listen to some MP3's and my comp locks up and i hear this clicking/scratching noise. Reboot... just a black screen. Unhook my MP3 drive... boots fine.

I hope I can get all those MP3's(and everything else on the drive) back.

Sorry to hear about your drive tho. Hope you can figure it out.

[Tron]

Double bag it in a couple of zip lock bags then throw it in the freezer for about an hour. Try it again and see if it is recognized. Make sure to have some recovery tools ready or whatever you are using to back it up running and ready to go. Or you could always open it up and replace the platters in a new drive just make sure its as clean as you can get it in the room with no dust or as little as possible and swap them. Save everything you need and trash the drives neither will be reliable ever again.

-Tron

[e mag]

Originally posted by Tron
Double bag it in a couple of zip lock bags then throw it in the freezer for about an hour. Try it again and see if it is recognized. Make sure to have some recovery tools ready or whatever you are using to back it up running and ready to go. Or you could always open it up and replace the platters in a new drive just make sure its as clean as you can get it in the room with no dust or as little as possible and swap them. Save everything you need and trash the drives neither will be reliable ever again.

-Tron

either of those options are probably your best bet. i've heard a few instances where the freezer will work, never heard about someone switching the actual platters though. you will probably have the best luck if you put the platter into the same model harddrive, or at least the same brand.

[Big'n slo]

Emag and tron,

Thank you so much, even if it doesn't work its still something to try. I was thinking of trying to swap the platters to a new drive (same model) as a last resort. Only problem with that is if it does not work I won't be able to send it out for recovery.

Thanks Again guys,
I'll let everyone know how it turns out.
Jeff

[pbzmag]

How about changing the board? It would be much easier. Of course, it has to be the exact same model.

[Star_Base_CGI]

Thats what the CD burner is for.

[Miscue]

I'm trying to figure out how this freezer thing works... and statically charged plastic bags...

[WickeDKlowN]

Originally posted by Miscue
I'm trying to figure out how this freezer thing works... and statically charged plastic bags...

I was wondering that myself...

[Tron]

Where did the static bags come from?

-Tron

[WickeDKlowN]

Pull a freezer bag out of the box and put your hand insode... What do you feel? Static Electricity

And i juat put mine in the freezer... Nothing to loose(other than hours and hours of sitting here waiting for stuff to download). Hope it works.

[Tron]

The metal casing will suck it up with out hurting it. I have never had a problem with static and I have built 200+ computers. And usually when you say static bag it means the shiny metal bags or blue, pink, etc. bags.

-Tron