Please help with data recovery from failed Hitachi 500gb hdd

[idrd]

The drive spins up with power, but is not recognized by the computer, even in disc management. I understand this needs to be fixed first for any data to be recovered. Family pictures, etc on this and can't afford what the commercial recovery outfits ask for the task. Drive identification: P/N 0F10381 & P/N H3D5001672S, 3gb/s, 7200rpm. Any good recommendations?

[michael chiklis]

Does your computer bios detect the drive?

[PCUser1800]

You mention that it spins up, but does the drive make any noise at all? clicking or otherwise?

[idrd]

I haven't checked the bios yet, although I suspect it won't show up because it's not in disc management or device manager. No other noise than a very subtle normal whirring from the spinning.

[lcoughey]

How much money do you have to work with and what kind of data recovery tools and skills do you have?

[data-medics]

Unless you have extensive experience in these types of issues, it really doesn't sound like a DIY situation. Pro recovery might not be as expensive as you think. In my lab here in RI we rarely ever charge more than $800 even in the worst cases.

My advice: Get a free evaluation for pro recovery and take it from there. It will cost you 10X as much money to buy the tools you need to do it yourself.

[idrd]

I would really have a hard time spending more than $200 on this. I'm fairly fluent with general technical tasks, but have never tackled something like this by myself before.