I have a Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD, model ST2000DM001, FW version CC24, Product Number 1CH164-501

Suddenly this morning, after an unknown reboot, this drive was not being recognised in the BIOS or Windows (7, 64 bit). I tried new SATA cables and different power plugs, as well as different SATA ports on the motherboard, of which nothing worked.

Using a USB3 HDD caddy, I am able to see the HDD for a few seconds in Windows Explorer, and open it, but then it disappears again.

Seeing as it cannot be seen at all, I have no way to even try and diagnose the drive.

Any ideas folks? Or am I s**t out of luck and gotta call the pros?

EDIT - just to add to the info, this is a secondary drive, used to store software and files. My main drive, a small SSD, is OK.

It sounds like a case of bad sectors, I'm afraid if the data is important to you then it's time to call the pros. Worst case it could be a failing head.

Providing you don't mess with it this should be an inexpensive recovery.

Not sure where you are based, but I'm in the UK and was wondering if you'd know if "PC World (Currys)" would have the smarts to fix this kind of issue? Or am I best to seek a more "professional" company?

Contact pcimage.co.uk in the UK.

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Luke
Recovery Force Donor Inventory: 5,000+ Fully Cataloged HDDs & Growing

+1 for "pcimage"

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Data Recovery Pakistan

As time is of the essence, I popped into town and it is currently with PC World. Fingers crossed they can sort it and copy the media to a new drive (Which I bought brand new there and then).

Thank you for the suggestion of PCImage. If PC World fail, I will look into contacting them.

Let's hope PC World don't butcher it.

They don't have any proper DR tools in-house, just basic software, and as far as I know they farm the proper DR work out to Ontrack and the prices start from £700 last time I checked.

So let's hope they don't have a "whizz kid" in the store who thinks he'll have a crack!

I've had several opened and totally butchered drives in from clients who claim PC World did it, but PC World deny everything.

I'm not sure who's lying, but someone is!

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PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

I've never dealt with PC World, but for a drive of that series you really want a professional data recovery company with proper tools to do it. When those die, it's either impossible or really difficult to recover them. Just using the wrong tool to try and image the drive is usually all it takes to finish them off permanently.

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Data Medics - Hard Drive, SSD, and RAID Data Recovery Service Company

It certainly seemed like it would be sent away (it was a small high street shop) to their DR "department".

As stated, if they fail, I'll send it elsewhere, hoping PC World haven't made things worse. I am hopefully for them though, seeing as I was able to see the drive via a USB caddy, albeit it for a second or so.

Oh dear oh dear...

I'd hope PC World won't totally mess up and if they can't retrieve anything, the drive should still be in a salvageable state.

Again, if they fail, I'll be sending it else where pronto!

I'd like to think that fact they have a DR service, they can at least be of more use then nothing.

More use than nothing may result in more damage than before and more expense to yourself. Or worse still, no data, ever!

You should be looking to get the disk back as soon as possible. Can't recall how many times I've seen wiped disks, the wrong disk being returned and butchered drives from people entrusting their media to high street chains.

Get it back and give PC Image a call.

+1 to that. These places don't have proper equipment like PC-3000 to even diagnose what's wrong. They're just using a $5 USB adapter and some data recovery software. It's a perfect recipe for disaster for a drive of that model with the issue your having. Your trust is misplaced.

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Data Medics - Hard Drive, SSD, and RAID Data Recovery Service Company

+2 to that.

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http://www.northwind.gr
SandForce SSD Recovery
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+1000

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Any advance on 1000?

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PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

Maybe it is in terms of money (£)?

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Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.

I'll raise ya to 2K.

Just received (and rejected) 3 drives that had been opened by "someone." Fingerprints, contamination, bent heads, etc.

Life is too short . . .

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http://www.datasaversllc.com