Help! I need another way to recover data from a HD.

[Hormiga]

Hi, I’m new to this forum and I have a problem that I would like your help in solving.

A friend of mine was using her 1TB external hard drive to transfer pictures from her computer to her external hard drive when it accidentally fell on the floor.

The external hard drive now makes a clicking sound (clicking sound of death) when used. It contains lots of pictures and videos which were taken using either a mobile phone or a digital camera. She can access some folders on the external hard drive and when she clicks on the pictures contained in those folders they take a long time to display. Other folders that contain photos do not open. When she clicks on those nothing happens.

Having done a few searches on Google I discovered that I could use Ubuntu to image the drive which might save the data contained in the unopenable files. However, due to the drives size (1TB) and other problems such as having to have a larger destination disk I have ruled this out as a possible way of saving the data.
This was the link I found: http://geekyprojects.com/storage/how-to ... s-damaged/

Is there any software or any other procedure that we can use that will allow us to access the unopenable files without imaging the drive?

Or can anyone suggest alternative ways to save the data a part from going to commercial Data Recovery Company?

Kind regards and mush thanks,

Hormiga

[Vulcan]

For this type of fault, any DIY attempt is high risk IMHO due to the internal damage suffered by the disk.

having to have a larger destination disk

Actually that is not a requirement - a larger destination disk is only needed due to the way that ddrescue is being used in the article which you linked to, where the ddrescue logfile is put onto the same disk as the target of the clone process. The logfile can be put onto a totally separate filesystem instead - you can see in the ddrescue online manual that there is no requirement to put the logfile onto the same filesystem as the target of the cloning.

Is there any software or any other procedure that we can use that will allow us to access the unopenable files without imaging the drive?

Not enough details given of what has been tried so far (no OS mentioned), but other OS could be tried - personally, I would image the drive, if you are determined to take DIY risks, and if you accept the consequences of DIY attempts. In addition to the usual DIY warnings, remember this part in the ddrescue manual:

[d]drescue is like any other power tool. You need to understand what it does, and you need to understand some things about the machines it does those things to, in order to use it safely.

[networks]

In my opinion if the drive fell and its clicking then internal damage to heads/platters/spindle has occurred and this is not DIY no software will recover this. The drive needs to be opened up in a clean room and inspected for damage. Best to send to a pro and not continue to work with it taking chances on additional damage. With the drive clicking chances of any image will be 0%. Best of luck with your recovery.

[Vulcan]

@networks:

With the drive clicking chances of any image will be 0%.

Perhaps you were rushing and missed the part where the OP said:

She can access some folders on the external hard drive and when she clicks on the pictures contained in those folders they take a long time to display.

So the chances of recovery any image is greater than 0%, since some pictures do display - although they take a long time to do so. Therefore it seems not to be a clear case of "permanent" clicking, since that would prevent all drive access (as you mention), but that does not fit with the comments from the OP where some pictures (photos) are viewable (with a delay), does it? Or do you interpret the OP's information differently?

As you said, there will be internal damage, which I also mentioned in the first line of my earlier reply. Of course professional attention is likely to have a much higher success rate, but if they are determined to do DIY (with it's risks of making things worse, as well as the slim chance of getting access to some photos which are currently unreadable), then that's their choice...

[networks]

Vulcan

So true speed reading has its faults and I did miss that one ! I have seen so many of these ' drops & falls ' and they either are A. Dead no access at all B. Work for a few hours C. Work for a few days Then fail totally however I seriously doubt without a DDI or some other pro tool they will get a good image before it self destructs. It won't be the first time I have been proven wrong but these larger drives are touchy & unpredictable. I hope they get pro help if the data is valuable.

[Vulcan]

I hope they get pro help if the data is valuable.

Agreed! This situation seems to be B or C on your list - the drive has been damaged internally by the fall, and it's just a matter of time before it degrades even more noticeably. We just don't know when that'll happen.... None of us have a crystal ball

The intent of my earlier reply was certainly not to recommend a DIY approach, but to point out that if DIY is their decision, even with the associated risks, then one of their stated reasons for not attempting to create a clone (i.e. needing a greater than 1TB disk) is false.

[northwind]

Well I think OP must understand that WHEN the drive fails completely (and not IF) during their DIY attempts, it will most likely damage surface to FUBAR point.
But then, they would have probably recovered *some* of their data, therefore Vulcan's suggestion is correct IMHO.

Again, as always, we must say this should be handled by a pro if data important. If OP can't afford a pro, then either put drive to a safe place until they can afford one, or go ahead with DIY after they accept the risks involved. Their data, their choice.

[warnerr]

suggest drive be turned off untill it can be imaged- they are right- it is a matter of time as it is failing.

[Amarbir[CDR-Labs]]

Well I think OP must understand that WHEN the drive fails completely (and not IF) during their DIY attempts, it will most likely damage surface to FUBAR point.
But then, they would have probably recovered *some* of their data, therefore Vulcan's suggestion is correct IMHO.

Again, as always, we must say this should be handled by a pro if data important. If OP can't afford a pro, then either put drive to a safe place until they can afford one, or go ahead with DIY after they accept the risks involved. Their data, their choice.

Sir ,
What Are you Using For Your Imaging Needs

[Hormiga]

Thank you so much for all your advice! I believe that the data is valuable so I will suggest to my friend not to use the hard drive again and to take it to a professional data recovery specialist. At least that way she stands a better chance of saving the data.

Much appreciated and thank you once again,

Hormiga