Hard Drive Crash

[KfistoRok]

80 GB WD SE crashed after more than five years. Left computer on for the day like usual and when I came home it was froze in POST. Booted Windows a few times to try and back up some files, but did not have enough time before freezing. Loud clicking noise associated with most big hard drive failures. Then on boot it would hang at detecting IDE devices and not get to Windows at all. No clicking though.

My question is what is the best way to go about saving my data? I've tried putting the drive in another pc on cable select and slave, but no go. Hangs on detecting IDE devices. I was thinking maybe putting it in an external USB drive might give me some time with it. I'm not sure. I would have to buy one. Does anyone think there is any hope in doing so?

[CrackerD|ce]

Placing it in the freezer is supose to work, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that is just for a couple minutes, like maybe 20. That or you could get an exact drive and change the insides if you know what your doing.

[SavageBasher]

Placing it in the freezer is supose to work, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that is just for a couple minutes, like maybe 20. That or you could get an exact drive and change the insides if you know what your doing.

The freezer might work, but how on earth are you going to replace the insides of a hard drive? :confused:

[CrackerD|ce]

it's a t-6 torx bit, unscrew the screws, then carefully remove each platter and place it in another.

[SavageBasher]

sorry, not all of us work in dust free environments... :rolleyes:

[schnikies79]

I've never seen anyone who could sucessfully remove platters, put them in a new drive and have them work, and I know several who have tried, including myself.

What I have seen work is changing out the circuit board with one from the exact same model of drive and have that work. That won't fix most HDD issues since it's usually a mechanical issue.

The drive in the freezer thing does work, sometimes, and not for very long.

[CrackerD|ce]

Don't know bout the circuit board, since I don't see it fixing a bad arm mech. Now if it just crapped out I would try the board.

Edit: and yea I know the dust-free part is important as well, sorry SB.

[schnikies79]

if it's a mech problem you can always have it sent off and have the data saved.

serious $$ though...

[nd4spdbh2]

if the freezer dont work and you want to try to remove the platters (i would first send to seagates data recovery place... they take n e manufacture drive and try to get ur stuff off of it) you can always make a "clean room" by running ur shower with the door closed on all hot for like 5 min to get it nice and steamy.... then go in and open the drive up once the humidity has settled... this will collect alot of the dust particles out of the air.

[KfistoRok]

Freezer didn't help any.

I do have another version of the drive but they are slightly different. I wouldn't really consider replacing the circuit or trying to mess with the platters.

Nobody thinks a usb drive is worth a shot?

[Cjwinnit]

If the computers IDE controller didn't find the drive it's doubtful that a USB caddy's controller would either but it's worth a shot if you have one hanging about.