Drive failure imminent, trying to save a little data
I recently moved and during the move, my only casualties were the two data drives in my media center PC. One SATA drive snapped it's SATA connector off, but super glue fixed that. The other drive must have some internal damage.
Upon boot, I got the windows consistancy check message and I let it check. The check went on for days, but finally ended up making it through step 1 and 2 with a list of things it found. After step 3 however the process finally locked. Although the message says:
Security descriptor verification completed.
But the system locks there. I power cycled and let it check again, steps 1 and 2 fly by, but locks at that security descriptors complete message again.
If I skip the check, then windows runs VERY slow and the drive is constantly being pegged. The drive shows up, but cannot be accessed.
I have a couple data recovery programs, but they don't see the drive.
I know this drive is toast, but I'm wondering if there isn't some trick to trying to at least read it for a bit. The check disk was able to do step 1 and 2, so it can't be completely dead yet.
Thanks in advance!
Upon boot, I got the windows consistancy check message and I let it check. The check went on for days, but finally ended up making it through step 1 and 2 with a list of things it found. After step 3 however the process finally locked. Although the message says:
Security descriptor verification completed.
But the system locks there. I power cycled and let it check again, steps 1 and 2 fly by, but locks at that security descriptors complete message again.
If I skip the check, then windows runs VERY slow and the drive is constantly being pegged. The drive shows up, but cannot be accessed.
I have a couple data recovery programs, but they don't see the drive.
I know this drive is toast, but I'm wondering if there isn't some trick to trying to at least read it for a bit. The check disk was able to do step 1 and 2, so it can't be completely dead yet.
Thanks in advance!
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ASKER
I downloaded their trial, but it's failing to burn the boot cd. Could it be a trial limit or maybe just doesn't like my writer?
ASKER
Got it burned. Will try it when the surface scan is finished. over 50 percent through and no errors. That make me think that there isn't any physical damage to this drive... does that sound plausible?
From your previous descriptions, I think the computer got a bang of some sort. That can lead to all kinds of anomolies on a hard drive as they are sensitive to g-forces.
The HDD regenerator trial will only repair the first damaged sector it finds. This may give you an indication whether it can help.
The HDD regenerator trial will only repair the first damaged sector it finds. This may give you an indication whether it can help.
ASKER
Well at the moment, there aren't any damaged sectors, but maybe just the partition table or FAT table is to blame. What tools might repair those two things?
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Computer101
Community Support Moderator
Computer101
Community Support Moderator
ASKER
The drive can't be THAT bad if I can complete a surface test, right?