sorry guys, wrong diagnosis, PLEASE help

[ramasund]

Hi all,

It looks like the HDD is not completely dead anymore... it powered up, but keeps spinning down... I did manage to copy one folder & the pics look fine. When I try to power it up again, it spins & autoplay reads the folder & before it could get ready dies...

I can hear the head engage & spin for a bit... this is really strange... it works for 2 mins sometime, 30 secs sometimes...

BTW, I've connected to external HDD enclosure. I didn't want to boot my computer with it...

PLEASE help, I'm close to recovering my pics, but not there yet...

Thanks!

[ramasund]

This is similar symptom to what is happening in mine... Does this solution make sense???


SYMPTOM #3: The hard drive powers up and then winds down, non-responsive.
DESCRIPTION: The hard disk drive will power up, you can hear the unit wind up and then it suddenly powers down. The unit may or may not power up again. It would not be uncommon for a hard drive in this condition to function for a period of time and then fail again. It is likely that a drive in this condition has suffered from an inconsistent power feed. Low or inconsistent power supply can often cause more damage than an over power supply or surge.
SOLUTION (A): Remove the logic board and ground it separate from the hard drive unit. Ground the hard disk drive to an electrostatic grounding point. Replace the logic board and then attempt to use the drive again. If the drive should power up and mount, begin copying data to a safe place, you will have only a short time to do so before the drive fails again. This condition is often caused by a persistent and reoccurring static charge or the logic board is unable to produce regulated power feeds.
SOLUTION (B): Locate an identical logic board (being certain to match make, model, and lot numbers) and replace the problem logic board. If the unit powers up, begin copying data with great haste, you may not have much time remaining before the unit fails again. A hard disk drive that suffers damage from a power fluctuation can also have damage to the actuator (motor) within the unit itself; these malfunctioning components can cause damage to even a new logic board. Contact a data recovery specialist for additional assistance.

[harddrivespecialist]

Sounds like a head failure in a drive.
Contact a data recovery specialist.

[ramasund]

thanks much! I will contact someone asap.

[ramasund]

thought I'll update... The drive worked for 5-7 more mins this morning, copied like 10GB worth stuff... almost all pics are recovered... I think there is a partial failure on the head or something...

[rchadwick]

This may sound too much like the infamous "Drive in a freezer" trick, but if you're careful, you may be able to extend the amount of time the drive works long enough to get what you need. Try keeping an ice pack on the PCB side of the drive, insulated by a dry towel, and leave it on 10-15 minutes before trying to read the info. The idea is to keep it cold enough to let it work, but not so cold that moisture condenses inside the drive.

[ramasund]

thats exactly what I was thinking. I will not put it in the freezer, but try to cool it down (by maybe leaving it in the garage for 1-2 hours). Anyway, will update more if I see anymore strange behavior.

[ramasund]

I tried it when it was cold (left at home at 60F) for few hours, it ran for 10 mins before stopping again. I then took a huge fan & set it next to the HDD & tried it again, it worked for more than 20-30 mins till I grabbed by 50GB worth data... it was still running.

(nothing was too obviously getting hot, I touched the body of it & the PCB, but it worked...)

[rchadwick]

Glad you got your data.

Even cold drives will warm up quickly while working. If you need more data, try an ice pack, or something else to keep it cold. A fan is good, but sometimes you need a little more.

[ramasund]

thanks! I would try to avoid icepack, freezer etc to reduce the chances of condensation... if it can be sealed well, then we shud be fine... portable a/c is another option...

anyway I found this website when I lost my data, now i've got it, I won't stay away... i'm just fascinated by this data recovery field, would try to learn more...