Data Recovery Forums - Help & Discussions

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Hey guys, I've got an issue with the aforementioned drive out of a laptop. Completely dead, but when I plug it in to recover data, it emits a noise kind of like the audible beep code older PCs used to make when RAM isn't installed properly... like the grunting electronic pseudo-beep code noise. I hope you guys remember what I'm talking about! Anyway, I'm hoping someone can help me out in recovering anything off of this puppy. Thanks!

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Appears to be the case. Does anyone have any ideas on how to "unseize" the spindle?

Niel · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 20

Connect the drive to desktop pc and check its status from BIOS, if it is detected, then fine, otherwise the drive is physically damaged and need to be sent to a professional.
If it is deteected, then clone the drive onto a healthy drive, and try any do it yourself free data recovery software.

DataHero · Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 30

[quote="x1ngxang"]Appears to be the case. Does anyone have any ideas on how to "unseize" the spindle?[/quote]

Hi mate, I believe you are right...those sounds are common in a seized drive however I would not turn it on any more to plug it into the BIOS or for any reason in fact.

What you want to do is:
1) purchase a pair of surgical style gloves (any rthin rubber gloves will do)

2) Find a clean area

3) cover your mouth or don't talk when you do the next steps

4) unscrew the screws that hold the drive together - you may find a few under the stickers

5) Carefully remove the casing to reveal your platter, actuator arm etc.

6) You will no doubt see the actuator arm parked on the platter maybe
half or 2 thirds of the way towards the centre - look to see if the drive has a docking station for your actuator arm

7) slowly rotate the plater away from the arm - usually anti-clockwise

Cool

The arm may move on it's own but if it does not gently guid it towards
to the docking area - always have the platter moving while you do this

9) If it has no docking area it will need to be parked on the platter, best to google search and see if you can find that spot...probably on the inside of in the middle but I'm guessing it has a docking area.

10) replace the casing and put it all back together

11) see if the drive is recognised by plugging it in.

12) once you have the drive working image it and never use it again.

NOTE: if you do find that the actuator arm is already parked I suggest you close the lid and not try anything physical. You can take it to an expert but I'm guessing you would rather not pay so thats why you are here.

NOTE 2: when moving thr platter you can gently touch the very outer edge if you need but the best way is to use something with a pointy end and place it in the middle screw holes...push a little ant-clockwise and the platter will move. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT MOVE THE ARM WITHOUT THE PLATTER MOVING...you don't want to scratch it.

This is just my advise and I do believe you only have an arm stuck on a platter, you do however choose to take these steps at your own risk and I cannot take any responsibilty if you fail or don't get your data back.

Also keep in mind that if letter on you do decide to get a data recovery company to recover the data you may be up for a greater cost because the device has been opened.

Best of luck and if your in Australia please feel free to drop by The Data Hero: www.datahero.com.au

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Thanks data, very clear and concise, I'll give it a shot. Do you have any preferred software YOU would recommend for imaging? I've got R-Drive which has been successful thus far...

DataHero · Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 30

Try using a product called FTK imager (forensic tool kit), I think it's free which is good. It will also help repair bad sectors in the process.

I assume your file system is NTFS? If this is the case then FTK will work a treat.

I'm not sure what recovery software you will be using but I dare not mention anything other than what this site appears to be intended for...they may remove the post Smile

Just remember, if it's not stuck close it up and prepare you wallet because it could get expensive.

Best of luck, I'm sure you will do a great job!

www.datahero.com.au

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Data, I followed your advice and got it spinning again! Smile

Now it sounds like it's having seek problems, it sounds like the head is trying to orientate but cannot. It's making a soft "squeaky, squeaky" sound. What does this sound like to you? Any ideas? Thx for your help so far!!

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Well, I take that back. Now it's clicking. Sad

DataHero · Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 30

[quote="x1ngxang"]Well, I take that back. Now it's clicking. Sad

[/quote]

Ouch!!! That means that your screwed. Possible causes:

1) system area cannot be read because of scratches on the platter
2) The head is damaged and cannot read the system area
3) Preamp could be damamged and not passing info to your electronics
4) The firmware on the PCB is damaged and it can't intialize

Good luck from here, there is not much I can do for you from this side of the screen mate!

Oh and don't run the drive anymore, if it spins and the heads stay in the one spot you could make a nice groove in your platter, thats if you don't already have some...

www.datahero.com.au

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Hi Data, here's the latest... I've plugged in into my desktop via the IDE/SATA to USB converter... and it's humming right along now... Confused

I'll attempt the FTK now

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Imaging went without a problem Smile

I've managed to image it to an external 750GB drive and I'm mounting the image now to see what's there, it looks like it's gonna take 8 hours, so I should know more by 9:00am CST (I'm in Birmingham, Alabama.) *Fingers Crossed!*

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

IT worked! After the image was made, I usedGetDataBack for NTFS to successfully recover *most* of the filesystem, which included everything except for the recovery partition!

Thanks again mate! Cheers! Very Happy

DataHero · Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 30

Thanks excellent news!!!

You did a brilliant job and you need to give yourself a big pat on the back Smile

FTK would have helped with those bad sectors.

Now make sure you never use that drive again and always back your data up. You never really know how much you need it until you don't have it!

You managed to physically repair your drive, image it and recover from the image...your a pro Smile

Now with regard to your old drive, either keep it as a prize or instead of throwing it away do the right thing and have it shredded and recycled. Your local recycling plant should be able to do. It will cost you a couple of dollars but thats nothing because you got a free data recovery Smile

www.datahero.com.au

x1ngxang · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

Thanks Data, I owe my successful recovery to your prompt and professional advice. Thanks!

Ciao!