I can recover data and im pretty good at doing such things. Unfortunately, my HDD died last night whilst in use So gutted! And it's a new system I built too. I was fortunate enough to backup most of the stuff before hand (on a regular basis but havent been doing so for about 3 weeks)

Basically, I want to recover the data back or at least create an image of the entire drive so I can lay it on another drive.

Now, the problem is when the system powers up, the HDD powers up then powers down...then up and down....like clunging sounds. Not healthy of course.

What can be done in this situation? How can I make it power up safely so I can grab the files then put it through for RMA?

What brand and model of drive?

From what little info you provided, I'll guess it's a WDC drive. If so, there isn't much you can do . . .

Jon

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You have answered your question before you have asked it.

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harddrivesspecialist: i meant it in a different way.

jon: yes its a WDC drive...I genuinely do love these drives, but anyway to the point .... what can be done? Why isnt there much that I can do? What does it technically indicate where the problem lies when it powers up/down (specifically makes a clunging sound)

When a WDC drive has this problem, there are a number of possible causes. Basically it stems from a drive's inability to read the service area. In my experience, this is usually a mechanical problem with WDCs, like bad heads or misalignment, etc.

A bad logic PCB can also cause clicking. You'll need to transfer the adaptive info from the bad PCB to the donor, and this is typically beyond the abilities of a non-pro.

Jon

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spins up, clicks few times, then powers down? WD's normal sign of failed heads.

I agree, it is sounds like failed Preamp=failed heads.

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Sure, thanks. It's just wierd because the drive has been working fine for a long while...then all of a sudden last night it just....went. Gave me a stop error screen, powered the system down, then powered it back up....then WS2003 wouldn't load (stop error and reboot) then the HDD just kept clunging

I don't know if it does it a few times as I am pretty wary about leaving it on...i just switch it off straight away. Powers up (the drive) then clungs..... (sounds like it powers up, then powers down....in a loop I guess)

in most cases it will be sudden, unless one of the heads is in distructing stage but not dead yet, maybe then with proper imaging tool you would be able to quickly get it all out.

heads not preamp
if it's preamp it will not do "then up and down" only down

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thanks.
So basically is there no way I can get it to "settle" or something? now its making a vibration nice also before the whole power up/down dance it does.

firehawk,

Hard drive are like a car battery one day you left from the office everything is fine the morning after it doesn't start anymore.

As Jon said There is not much you can do for a WD Mechanical Problem if you are not a pro with proper tools. WD Mechanical Problem are Pain in the ass even when you know what you are doing.

If you have time and money to loose you can always try a board swap and like jono-ats said You'll need to transfer the adaptive info from the bad PCB to the donor.

Like you said :
"I can recover data and im pretty good at doing such things."

Look in this forum a few thread talk a bit about how to do it. Depending on your skills you will need a a good soldering Iron and/or an hot air / rework station.

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Francis Parent-Valiquette
http://www.tux-tech.ca/