Old Maxtor recovery - I/O error

[oneRd]

Hello everyone, quick introduction: I am an idiot!! I could completely avoid this doing a simple backup..

The system (win 10) froze on shutting down and I had to turn it off by force. From that moment on there has not been any way to access the drive (a 320gb SATA Maxtor). I would like to recover the data if possible. Up until now, I have had no luck accessing the drive.

Here the drive specs:

The first few times after the failure the driver was still able to run win 10 recovery tools menu but, aside from being slower than the norm, every tool I tried have been of no use: each one of them gave me back either i/o error or disk write protected. I tried with CHKDSK from cmd but it saw the drive as RAW.

This is what I receive every time I now turn on the pc and choose to boot the drive.

I tried with several other recovery software. Most of which simply didn't detect it or gave back an i/o error. One of those or maybe the only one able to scout the sectors is GetDataBack. These are some of the errors it was giving.

Based on the type of errors I showed would a PCB swap be of any help?
I would really like to have access on the data again.. please help!! Thank you

[pcimage]

Your drive is actually a Seagate drive, branded as Maxtor.

Your problem is 99.999% nothing to do with PCB.

It looks like media issues (bad sectors) to me, possibly with some firmware problems as well but we’d need a terminal output to give us more information.

If your data is at all important, then my advice is to take it to a PROPER data recovery place (NOT a regular PC store or “PC Guy”). It shouldn’t be “too” expensive AT THIS STAGE.

However if your data isn’t very important and you are willing to risk losing it with DIY attempts then you could try cloning it with something like “hddsuperclone” or “ddrescue” (search on this forum for more details) and then try and recover the data from the clone. You may need to use recovery software if the file system is damaged.

Please be aware that DIY solutions carry an element of risk and could damage your drive BEYOND RECOVERY, even for a pro.

Good luck!

[fzabkar]

There are some DIY options to improve your drive's stability, but you will need a USB-TTL adapter (US$5) to apply them.

[oneRd]

Thank you guys!! Yes, it's now become Seagate. Data are important enough to try some DIY, hopefully avoiding the worst if that is something whiting my control.
I'll be looking for what you advised asap and post back if I have more doubts. Could you post any link? Thanks again

[fzabkar]

See https://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34631

Seagate F3 commands :
http://www.hddoracle.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3

How to connect the TTL Adaptor to a Seagate drive :
http://www.hddoracle.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=193

[oneRd]

Just to be sure: what is the difference, if any, between these three TTL adapters?
First one appear to be cheaper.
Last one is not simply an USB jack ending with pins, I presume..

Thank you

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[fzabkar]

All 3 appear to be 3.3V TTL-serial converters. Take your pick, but make sure you get an additional cable for the first two.

[oneRd]

I ordered all three of them. I received the first one and here I am again getting ready for action more terrified than ever

I intend, as you suggested, to make a clone using “hddsuperclone” or “ddrescue”. Checking the the link about F3 commands I realized I know nothing, but I will go through all forum to have a better idea on how to proceed.

In the meantime though it would be very helpful to know which steps to follow or more links about the topic.

1. Connect HDD to PC (powered off) through TTL?
2. ??

Thank you

[oneRd]

I've been reading around for a couple of hours now. Not quite as terrified as before considering that there is no way I am going to feel ready to do it for a while . It seems not exactly everyday stuff..

Still a small generalized help about the steps to follow or some guide will be so very much appreciated. In this guide I've read you might need to run the cloning software repeatedly and in a certain way to make sure to read as many sectors as possible, and here is where I feel I need some experience I do not have. I've read that hddsuperclone is based on ddrescue but more recent and somehow improved. I haven't yet found any guide except the manual in the producer site.

[michael chiklis]

I can do that, i do diagnosis for free.

[oneRd]

Thanks millions @Spildit. I will keep your offer into account and I will also contact @michael chiklis.

...doing thigns correctly THE FIRST TIME

That's why I want to be sure I can do it. I've already hammered the drive enough; before it could slowly run the windows recovery, now it lost it. I think I am going to try on another drive first.

[oneRd]

.... power the drive on with the terminal connected and POST the LOG that the drive output to TTL/terminal software at power up ... Goes without saying open the terminal first and power the drive later.

Better to double check on this.
What do you mean with "terminal"? Is that my PC?
Do I have to set the boot from USB in BIOS?

To recap:

1. Connect HDD via TTL-USB with PC off
2. Turn PC on
3. Power on HDD immediately after?
4. LOG is shown?

[dick]

Before you dive in can I suggest you check the smart attributes. In my opinion that is the first thing you should do!

I would use Victoria and look to see if there are any reallocated and pending sectors.
Don't try scanning the media at this moment!

[oneRd]

I still do not get what you mean by "terminal". Could it be that window you open typing ctrl+alt+t in Linux? Are we working with Linux, right?
Since I haven't created a bootable USB yet, do you think I can find the right tools if I use KNOPPIX? (I just read they were speaking well about it in the previous link)

This one will be my GPD (Guinea Pig Drive )

An old half failed Seagate. Perfect to mess with..

open the terminal software like Hyperterminal

Never heard about it, but I see that both Hyperterminal and Victoria are for windows.

[oneRd]

Sorry, I didn't mean to kill you enthusiasm with my "think out loud ignorance"

I run Victoria. SMART: unkn

[dick]

Sorry, I didn't mean to kill you enthusiasm with my "think out loud ignorance"

I run Victoria. SMART: unkn

Make sure you use an up to date version as is here: http://files.hddguru.com/download/Softw ... ia473b.zip

If that doesn't work then try with the drive installed in a usb connected external enclosure.

Or you can set the sata port to compatibility/ide mode in the motherboard bios.

One question though....did Victoria see the drive in the passport tab even though you couldn't run the get smart command?

[oneRd]

Make sure you use an up to date version as is here: http://files.hddguru.com/download/Softw ... ia473b.zip

I was using the 472b so I assume it was okay

First two screenshots were made with 472b, the drive seem to be labelled "1 sec".
Last one I connected the drive via a SATA to USB external box and used the 473b

Or you can set the sata port to compatibility/ide mode in the motherboard bios.

I couldn't find any such setting in my BIOS

As a possible symptom, every time I connect the drive (PC off), especially via SATA, the system takes ages to startup. A couple of time I even had to reset.

[oneRd]

Which meas I will get the same results if I connect it via TTL?

[dick]

You connected the drive via usb and it was no good.

Now you have to connect the drive to a motherboard sata port and run Victoria again.

[oneRd]

You connected the drive via usb and it was no good.

Now you have to connect the drive to a motherboard sata port and run Victoria again.

My fist attempt with Victoria 472b (fist two screenshots) were make with the drive connected via SATA directly to the motherboard