Data Recovery Forums - Help & Discussions

bchgrl09 · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 1

Hi!

I have an old 40 GB Maxtor harddrive from a Dell desktop that I want to recover data from. Awhile back there was a huge power surge that shut down my computer. After spending hours on the phone with Dell tech support, I was told to replace my hardrive and reload everything. I was able to replace the HD and keep using the same computer for several years without any trouble so I'm not sure how bad the damage was. I've decided I would like to try to recover some of my old files. I no longer have a desktop and even though I'm pretty good with computers, I'm not sure I have the ability or time to try to recover the data on my own.

Should I try to send it to a recovery firm? I'd like to spend as little $$ possible, but I'd be willing to part with a few bucks to get it back. Can anyone point me in the right direction?? Can you suggest any methods or companies to send it to? Should I bring it to a local computer services firm to check out before sending it to a recovery service?

Thanks so much for your help!

Niel · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 20

There are options available to you.
1. Either try any do it yourself data recovery software
2. send the drive to a professional.

In case you go for the first option, you have to connect the drive using any external drive box or USB connector or firewire case to any computer.
If you have extra cables with you, you can plug the drive into any desktop computer.
Once connected, you have to checked that whether the drive is detected by computer or not.
In case you have used any external box etc, you can check this from device manager and if you have used any desktop computer to plug the drive in it, you can check from BIOS.

Once connected you can used any data recovery software to recovery data. If the drive is not detected then you have to send it to some data recovery service because it has some physical fault which occurred due to power failure.

In case you opt second option of sending drive to data recovery services, it is not going to be cheap data recovery, data recovery costs too much and data recovery is expensive.

If you any problem connecting the drive, will be glad to help

Niel · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 20

One more advice, don't perform any kind of writing activity on the disk from which data is lost, you may overwrite the data.

DataHero · Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 30

I'd say it's your PCB that has the problem...especially because you had a power outage or short, you may need to get a doner drive and being that it's a fairly old drive you may find it's a cheap option to try your own recovery, just swap the PCB over and see how you go. here are some tips for finding a donor Maxtor drive:

For the following Maxtor hard drive models: Fireball 3, DiamondMax 16, DiamondMax Plus 8, DiamondMax Plus 9, Diamond Max 10 and all MaxLine products there is also a GTLA Number on the model (next to barcode on the bottom of the drive). Format 1Y222J2223322. 1, 2 and 3 stand for numbers, Y and J for letters.
The numbers 1 and 3 as well as the letter Y need to be identical to be able to replace the PCB on these drives.

This is only if the drive does not read properly and is not recognised, if it does then image the disc and run a recovery on the image.

Also you may want to try your skills at soldering. If something is blown you will feel the heat on the PCB when you plug it in. it could just be a chip that can be replaced but again you may need a donor drive...it may be less, it's always good to check. If it's a common chip you can start by purchasing one from an electrical store but it's not likely. Keep in mind it's all surface mount so it's very small, you may need a microscope to completed any works on a PCB.

Now there is no guarantee you will be able to get it functioning even with a donor PCB and there is no guarantee it is the PCB but it's worht a shot if you can find the right drive at the right price. There are also other techniques regarding swapping a PCB but they are kinda difficult and trade secrets I guess Smile

I take no resposibilty if it fails...it's in your good hands Smile

Best of luck!!!

www.datahero.com.au