mmermelstein
asked on
Failing Drive Copy Files
I have an external SATA drive (WD My Passport). The drive is mountable under Windows 7 x64 but when I try accessing any of the data on it where there's corruption on the drive (not sure if it's mechanical, file system, or bad sectors), Windows freezes. I've tried using TeraCopy to copy the data off and to skip files where it hangs, but it won't skip the file. I tried using xcopy with various switches to continue after error but it hangs on the corrupt files.
I tried running SpinRite 6.0. It was running about 1% per day until it hit 6%. Then for the next 6 weeks it only went to 8.5%. it estimated about a year until it finished.
Aside for sending it for data recovery, does anyone have any suggestions for recovering what files can be recovered? Are there programs that will timeout after a certain period of time when copying files but will keep going? Basically I want to copy whatever can be copied and then make a determination if that is sufficient or to get it professionally recovered.
Thanks
I tried running SpinRite 6.0. It was running about 1% per day until it hit 6%. Then for the next 6 weeks it only went to 8.5%. it estimated about a year until it finished.
Aside for sending it for data recovery, does anyone have any suggestions for recovering what files can be recovered? Are there programs that will timeout after a certain period of time when copying files but will keep going? Basically I want to copy whatever can be copied and then make a determination if that is sufficient or to get it professionally recovered.
Thanks
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The first thing I do with a failing drive is a bit for bit image. Usually using an old copy of ghost. Acronis can do the same, or dd if you can plug it into Linux.
Then try file level recovery from that clone.
Then try file level recovery from that clone.
Ghost and dd are not suitable for imaging a drive with potential read errors, or one in stress.
First, they give up on errors, but more importantly, they put the disk in stress.
If you don't have the professional software, then at least use the freebie ddrescue. This software recovers data using several algorithms designed to get as much data as possible "gently". (You can google the software and see how it is done).
Also, before doing ANYTHING with a failing drive and attempting to read anything, you need to run diagnostics. Depending on the model of drive you can learn nature of the problem and whether or not the media is damaged. If it is damaged, you need to get a recovery lab involved attempting to clone, or you run extreme risk of destroying more data and making full professional recovery impossible.
First, they give up on errors, but more importantly, they put the disk in stress.
If you don't have the professional software, then at least use the freebie ddrescue. This software recovers data using several algorithms designed to get as much data as possible "gently". (You can google the software and see how it is done).
Also, before doing ANYTHING with a failing drive and attempting to read anything, you need to run diagnostics. Depending on the model of drive you can learn nature of the problem and whether or not the media is damaged. If it is damaged, you need to get a recovery lab involved attempting to clone, or you run extreme risk of destroying more data and making full professional recovery impossible.
ASKER
While, it's not the answer I was hoping for (i.e. trying to save myself from having to do professional DR), I'll award the points and answer to dlethe. Thanks for the advice. I've contacted a local DR shop and will bring it in there.
ASKER
The solution is one I was hoping to avoid. At this point the data seems unrecoverable without putting stress on the disk. I believe the correct approach is to "bite the bullet" and go for professional data recovery.
it would be great if you posted a follow-up with what vendor you used for recovery, how well they did, and what it cost. So little information like that is in the database, and it helps people to know if they are looking at $500 or $2000 for certain scenarios
I love this program because of all the SYNTAX statements you can use.
http://www.xxcopy.com/xxtb_001.htm
Make sure you look at the XXCOPY Exclusion switch syntax
http://www.xxcopy.com/xxtb_005.htm
Good Luck!