inaccessible external hdd / RAW file format

[llyrroberts]

I’ve got a samsung S2 500GB hdd (external) . And stored on it over 200gb of music and photos.

The drive has never had a bump and should be mechanical sound.

One day i plugged it into my laptop and i could not access the files.
Windows suggested that i format the HDD!!
But i know that would make the chances of getting it back working or recovering the data less.

The HDD now shows up as RAW in the windows disk manager.
It used to be NTFS or FAT i can’t remember.

What can i do to regain access or recover the files?

Ive googled the subjest and found alot of programs that promise to help but i don’t want to spend money unless theres a free alternative.

One place suggested that i make an image of the whole hdd so i have that in-case the hdd does go completely dead. How/Should i do this?

Thanks

[networks]

R-studio trial or recuva great free program. To make an image can be done with r-studio paid version but hey if your data is not worth less than 100.00 piece of software then so be it. Get what you pay for if I haven't been clear on that point !

[Vulcan]

@llyrroberts:

What can i do to regain access or recover the files?

First, you need to realise that there are risks with DIY recovery. If you cannot afford to lose the data, then you should be considering using the services of a DR company. There are reputable members of the board in the UK, if you ask the folks here for recommendations.

If the data is not worth anything, and you don't mind if you lose it (recovering it would just be a bonus), and so you accept the risks of DIY and the fact that you might cause a recoverable situation to become unrecoverable and you're OK with that, then...

One place suggested that i make an image of the whole hdd so i have that in-case the hdd does go completely dead. How/Should i do this?

You may be quite limited about how to do this, due to lack of experience with some utilities. If you search my posting history and the words clone or cloning, I've described this often enough in recent weeks, including program names & pros vs. cons. I'm not able to dedicate time to going through the whole process again.

For a disk drive like yours, where it is not yet clear that the problem is only logical (filesystem) corruption (ie we do not yet know whether the whole disk is readable), then I would always clone it first, for the reason you have stated - but you need to use appropriate software which has control over bad sector handling (so not clonezilla, ghost, acronis etc.).

Good luck!

[llyrroberts]

@Vulcan:

Thanks for your help!

llyrroberts wrote:
What can i do to regain access or recover the files?

First, you need to realise that there are risks with DIY recovery. If you cannot afford to lose the data, then you should be considering using the services of a DR company. There are reputable members of the board in the UK, if you ask the folks here for recommendations.

If the data is not worth anything, and you don't mind if you lose it (recovering it would just be a bonus), and so you accept the risks of DIY and the fact that you might cause a recoverable situation to become unrecoverable and you're OK with that, then...

llyrroberts wrote:
One place suggested that i make an image of the whole hdd so i have that in-case the hdd does go completely dead. How/Should i do this?

You may be quite limited about how to do this, due to lack of experience with some utilities. If you search my posting history and the words clone or cloning, I've described this often enough in recent weeks, including program names & pros vs. cons. I'm not able to dedicate time to going through the whole process again.

For a disk drive like yours, where it is not yet clear that the problem is only logical (filesystem) corruption (ie we do not yet know whether the whole disk is readable), then I would always clone it first, for the reason you have stated - but you need to use appropriate software which has control over bad sector handling (so not clonezilla, ghost, acronis etc.).

Good luck!

Luckily my photos where backed up to another drive, and all my work files go on drop box.
I'm willing to go risk DIY because the data that ive lost i might be able to download and buy again.

I probably don't have the knowledge to use a linux disk or something similar to attempt to make an image.
I was going to use acronis but i see threes no point trying?!

I left EASEUS data recovery running over night and it was only able to recover 263mb of data! All of which i can't open!
I also tried Getdataback which failed to get anything. (alot of I/0 and various other errors where ignored)

@networks:

I'll give recuva a go now.

[Alt(R-TT)]

To make an image can be done with r-studio paid version

Important correction: Images can be created and processed even when R-Studio works in its Demo (free) mode.

[SquaL]

Hi, I have a feeling recuva will not work. Since DYI is safe due to backups, I also suggest try to clone. By the way which Getdataback did you use. If I am not mistaken there are differnet packages for different file types.

[herschelle777]

I have been facing with the same problem with my 2TB segatte HDD i hve found a software for recovery (SYStools hard disk recovery) but its asking for registration which is very costly can any one help me with its crack version it will be a great help for me as i have some imp data in it

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[networks]

herschelle777 no one on this forum is going to help you with illegal cracked software ! If I had the rights on this board I would delete your post. Their are plenty of free options out there some even in this thread others are all over this board if you just take the time to "search" the forum.

[laptokowiec]

Try DMDE to clone your drive (for free).

[northwind]

I have been facing with the same problem with my 2TB segatte HDD i hve found a software for recovery (SYStools hard disk recovery) but its asking for registration which is very costly can any one help me with its crack version it will be a great help for me as i have some imp data in it

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Well the involved data shouldn't be too important if you're not willing to spend ~$70 to buy a license for a software, are they?
And esp. when most of these softwares offer a trial first, with which you can be sure you're spending your money the right way.
On the other hand, there are free tools you can use.