Topic: Oi-Vey! Laptop Hard Drive Crash

[csendker]

Not mine, but my best worker had his laptop hard drive crash on him while out in the field.  We pulled it and got a replacement and are working on reinstalling all of the programs, etc. so the laptop is slooooowly getting back on line.  BUT, we have lost some valuable stuff on the old drive.  All of his project-specific stuff was properly backed up except for whatever he was working on in the last couple of days.  It's the dreaded Outlook file we want back, as it seems to have slipped through the backup cracks.  We put it in an external USB case, froze it and then tried it (well, not me as I'm clueless here, but some of the guys who supposedly know what they're doing...) to no avail.  I'm told the 'head crashed' which is apparently a dead-end.  I've tried some searching and it seems there are firms out there that will pull the drive apart and either put the discs in another working drive or mirror it somehow.  I've seen $400, $900, $1,700 and up.  Anyone have any experience or knowledge with recovering data from dead drives?  Advice?  Recommendations?

Thanks.

[kghost]

Oh the irony.............

The ad in the box above your post was "top vendors for hard drive recovery"

http://www.ez4results.com/search.php?searchname=hard+drive+data+recovery

[burmashave]

Bummer!  If the hard drive isn't really completely dead ("I'm not quite dead yet."), then you can use a file recovery tool to get files back.  I've had amazing success using R-Studio to recover almost all the data from corrupted hard disks.  It's fairly easy to use, and the interface is much like Windows File Explorer.

If the problem is with one of the bearings, you may be able to recover data by chilling the hard drive.  Put the hard drive in a zip-loc bag, squeeze out the excess air, zip it up and pop it in the freezer for about an hour.  Pull it out and pop it into the external case you are using.  If at all possible, leave the case open.  If the hard drive spins up properly, you may only have a limited amount of time to get the data off, so work fast.  As I recall, Outlook files are stored as .pst files and are placed under:

C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application Data or
C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Local Settings\Application Data

The idea is that chlling sticky bearings will decrease the pressure on them, and thus allow the bearings to turn again.  Others have had luck with this method; however, I would recommend doing this only as a last resort. 

[burmashave]

Oh the irony.............

The ad in the box above your post was "top vendors for hard drive recovery"

http://www.ez4results.com/search.php?searchname=hard+drive+data+recovery

Man, that's scary irony.

[csendker]

Man, that's scary irony.

Agreed, I hope the ad banner can 'mine' phrases and set up targeted ads or I may just hang it up for the day.   

Within 5 minutes after getting 'the call', I had found the location of the Outlook data file (monster-size file that is) and immediately set up an emergency manual back-up procedure for everyone using Outlook.  I've since found "Karen's Replicator" which is a very nice (& free!) auto-backup tool (that is, if you have a working hard drive and a server that gets a tape back-up every night that you can mirror to).  You can set it for 'modified' files to keep things simple & quick.

The computer-junkies at the office tried the freezer method with no luck.  I guess the 'crashed head' is a major death, so the recovery software is non-applicable as nothing is moving (or some such nonsense).  It seems the options are limited to sending out somewhere to be physically disassembled for recovery or pitching it in the dumpster.

I'll send it out if the price can be justified by the recovered data, but I don't know where, or if they're reputible or if the odds of a successful recovery are even worth it.

Happy freaking New Year to me.

[burmashave]

I'm sorry that's no help.  Yes, the services that do major data recovery are expensive.  I'd check out the site of the hard drive manufacturer.  I believe that some of them offer such services.  Mebbe they would be cheaper. 

[heffay]

Man, that's scary irony.

Agreed, I hope the ad banner can 'mine' phrases and set up targeted ads or I may just hang it up for the day.   

they do