Hello everybody,
This drive just started to fail and I need advice on where to take it.
It was running in a Dell / Linux box that hosted a pharmacy accounting server
that nobody backed up for over 3 years. File system was ext3, I believe.

I attempted to run SpinRite on the drive but SpinRite gave a warning that
SMART data showed the drive to fragile to attempt data recovery. Host Bios
recognized the drive but, at boot, warned about SMART data being outside
operating limits, but no further detail.

I need to get the data off this drive.
Has anybody got a reccomendation on a service they have had success with?

Thanks for reading this post.
-RH

Spin Rite is wrong choice !

Don't plug the drive any further if your data is really important, wait unless a Guru recommend someone for you..

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RAID/Server Recovery

Dont use spinrite with that hdd. ditto above- dont plug in anywhere any more.
a guru will provide you with professional near you.

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It seems that the unluckiest people in the world are those that don't backup.
Free Solutions
Picasaweb- Pictures and movies | Dropbox - Documents and other..

i365, ontrack, drivesavers

from this forum jono-ats, harddrivespecialist, I'm sure there's plenty more. In general if anyone PMs you about it, read their posts and see if they sound like they know what they are talking about.

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You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

OK, Thanks very much for your responses and reccomendations.
The drive has been removed and I won't touch it again.

I never actually ran SpinRite; backed out if it after the SMART warning message
reccomended I not use it... so I guess it knows what it is talking about?

Will locate a professional.

Best Regards,
-RH

A pro can surely help to extract data. Then later the drive can be refurbished for re-use with factory procedures and will be 100percent OK for the remaining lifetime, if you want. Ask the nearest pro - I do it but I'm in Italy...