Harddisk not responding, it spins, but there is no recognition by the OS
Hi,
I have a Western Digital WD20EARX 2TB disk which does not respond at all in Windows. Mechanically it seems fine, the disk spins and I cannot hear retries on reading or initialization. Seems electronically defect. Already tried different ways of connecting, on mainboard and through USB with serveral SATA to USB adapters.
Is there any way to get to the data?
Thank you,
I have a Western Digital WD20EARX 2TB disk which does not respond at all in Windows. Mechanically it seems fine, the disk spins and I cannot hear retries on reading or initialization. Seems electronically defect. Already tried different ways of connecting, on mainboard and through USB with serveral SATA to USB adapters.
Is there any way to get to the data?
Thank you,
Try connecting it to a different computer. You can try booting the computer with a live distro.
Knoppix is good. http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
Or the ultimate boot CD. http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
If none of these work about your only option is to get professional recovery services involved.
Here are a list of companies that do data recovery.
You want to look for one that won't charge unless they recover your data.
http://hard-drive-recovery-services-review.toptenreviews.com/
Knoppix is good. http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
Or the ultimate boot CD. http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
If none of these work about your only option is to get professional recovery services involved.
Here are a list of companies that do data recovery.
You want to look for one that won't charge unless they recover your data.
http://hard-drive-recovery-services-review.toptenreviews.com/
If your hard drive can't be detected it could be a problem with the hard drive controller on the mainboard or hard drive or it can also be a faulty/loose hard drive connection/wiring.
If you can connect the hard drive to another computer and determine that it can't be detected then we can be sure it's the hard drive that's faulty. In this case, a data recovery service is probably best for you since they will have the expertise to recover your data from a non-functional drive.
If you can connect the hard drive to another computer and determine that it can't be detected then we can be sure it's the hard drive that's faulty. In this case, a data recovery service is probably best for you since they will have the expertise to recover your data from a non-functional drive.
ASKER
The disk is not detected by the BIOS on 3 pc's. Also there is no OS action as in detecting USB device or installing drivers.
I guess data recovery specialist?
I guess data recovery specialist?
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ASKER
If I find an exact same harddisk, would it be possible to exchange the print on the harddisk or would that give problems due to software differences?
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You mean the circuit board? It's possible, but you don't want to make matters worse. I'd leave this up to the specialists.
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ASKER
Yeah, backups... There aren't any.
So if replacing circuit boards does not work I will contact the recovery specialist.
So if replacing circuit boards does not work I will contact the recovery specialist.
If there are no backups, the data can't be so important as to warrant paying between probably $500.--or above $1000.-- for recovering the data. If the data is worth anything, there are always backups....
Wow, $500 is kinda steep. It should start at about $250
http://datarecovery.com/services/hard-drive-data-recovery/
http://datarecovery.com/services/hard-drive-data-recovery/
ASKER
No Rindi,
that is said to easy, you cannot expect everyone to make backups. People just don't realize it all the time. The disk isn't mine. I do make backups, this person didn't, as many don't do. Not making backups doesn't give no value to the data, otherwise data recovery companies wouldn't even exist.
I will contact them.
that is said to easy, you cannot expect everyone to make backups. People just don't realize it all the time. The disk isn't mine. I do make backups, this person didn't, as many don't do. Not making backups doesn't give no value to the data, otherwise data recovery companies wouldn't even exist.
I will contact them.
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Of course you can expect people to backup their data. If they don't that is their risk and fault, Backups is and always has been the most important aspect of IT.
ASKER
Ok Rindi, so if there is no backup then the data never has any value?
Correct. At least that is what you should preach your clients over and over again, so they make a habit of backing up. Backing up is the most important task when you have a PC or other device that stores any data. If no backups are made you aren't taking your data seriously and therefore it can't be of any value to you.
ASKER
Then why do data recovery companies exist?
Because of their client's stupidity or ignorance.
ASKER
Exactly, but the thing is: data still has value.
We're going to contact a recovery lab.
We're going to contact a recovery lab.
Rindi,
Forgive me for being a little lost (confused), but:
"If no backups are made you aren't taking your data seriously and therefore it can't be of any value to you."
Well, if their data is of no value, why would they pay out for recovery services? Because they're stupid or ignorant. Right, ok, I accept that. In other words they just haven't backed up for one reason or another.
No disrespect here, but you seem to have looped the loop here? Sorry, just a bit lost with what you were saying that's all.
Maybe I'm just not grasping your point very well. My apologies.
Forgive me for being a little lost (confused), but:
"If no backups are made you aren't taking your data seriously and therefore it can't be of any value to you."
Well, if their data is of no value, why would they pay out for recovery services? Because they're stupid or ignorant. Right, ok, I accept that. In other words they just haven't backed up for one reason or another.
No disrespect here, but you seem to have looped the loop here? Sorry, just a bit lost with what you were saying that's all.
Maybe I'm just not grasping your point very well. My apologies.
It's supposed to be an ironic statement, and also criticism towards the client who didn't believe in backups.
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ASKER
Yes BillDL,
that is also what I mean to say, I also do understand Rindi from a business and IT side of the story, but many home users thinks they are safe or don't even think about it at all. An example is that many people put all of their data on a single external USB harddrive and say: this is my backup. On the PC or laptop itself is no data.
It is me who needs to tell them:
You can only speak of a backup when it is on 2 locations (copy) which are physically apart from each other to also rule out loss due to water / theft / fire damages.
I am going to think my drive to a recovery specialist.
that is also what I mean to say, I also do understand Rindi from a business and IT side of the story, but many home users thinks they are safe or don't even think about it at all. An example is that many people put all of their data on a single external USB harddrive and say: this is my backup. On the PC or laptop itself is no data.
It is me who needs to tell them:
You can only speak of a backup when it is on 2 locations (copy) which are physically apart from each other to also rule out loss due to water / theft / fire damages.
I am going to think my drive to a recovery specialist.
Hartelijk bedankt, ElisysAutomatisering. Veel geluk.
If the hard drive is not detected you may have to take it to a data recovery specialist. If you can detect it then you can use a boot media like Acronis to copy your data to an external hard drive or across the network.