Hi!

I´m new to this Forum. I´ve read a lot of threads the last few days here to learn something about HDD-Problems and how to solve them. But it seems to be better to open a new topic for my problem.

MAXTOR DiamonMax 10, 160 GB, PATA133
Model: 6L160P0
Code: BAJ41G20
N, M, C, A,
S/N: L3DJZSZH

The HDD was mounted in a external USB-Housing. While working on the computer (Win XP home), the USB-connection went down by itself. From that moment the data on the HDD are not longer accessable. I dismounted the HDD from its housing to conncet it via another IDE to USB adapter to a different computer. The HDD is spinning normaly and is found by the System (Win XP Pro) as "MAXTOR 6 ZSZH USB-Device". The HDD gets even a drive-letter (L:) from XP, but there seems to be no data on the drive. The HDD is not listed in the systems data media administration. I attached the HDD direct to another PCs mainboard. The system runs very slow then.

The files on the HDD are not very important, so i won´t spend much money for a professional repair service. But i would be happy to fix the problem (if possible) by myself to get access to the files again.

Maybe anybody can give me a few ideas what to do next...

Hello,

If i have right, if you don't want to spend money for recovery, simply format the drive, and everithing will be OK again.
If no, the drive is damaged, than drop it to the trash and buy another one.

The other cases is costs some €.

If you want to read some more about DIY, than read this:

results-the-yourself-solutions-t11912.html?hilit=results

Janos

Use MHDD or something similar to further investigate the drive (does it identify? can you scan it? how does the SMART table look? etc)

_________________
You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

I can give you the answers without seeing:

1. yes
2. yes
3. not important (except if it is failing)

The FS left open, the windows can't close it, and can't fix it using the journal.
Now shows RAW type.
The PC boots slowly because:
1. wrongly installed (I mean CS,Master, slave)
2. the windows restarts to trying to fix up the FS using the journal again.

Simple.
If the drive gets formatted again, everithing will be normal again.

Janos

Bad connection or the drive is identified with factory alias. In that last case, game over (for you).

Thank you for your fast reply! I will use MHDD tomorrow to see what it reports.


Must be 2nd. The master/salve settings where ok. Is it possible that windows gets FS fixed, when i let it work for a longer time?

If i would format the drive, may it possible to get back some data with a File-Recovery tool like "Convar PC Inspector" for example.

I´m sure it would be the best way to let a pro solve the problem. As far as i know, it would cost about 600€ (here in germany) to get back the data. Am I maybe wrong with that?

If you want the data, don't do that!!!
And don't let the windows to use the chkdsk, because it will screw up a lot of things!

Janos

I tried this with the tools "MultiStage Recovery" and "PC Inspector". Problem is, the tools can´t get access to the logical Drive.
Can´t use File-System check tools for the same reason.

Directly connected to the mainboard, Bios shows "Maxtor 6L160P0".

As i sad, your drive is functional.
The maximum problem must be some bad sectors if it is exists at all.
The recovery will be chep, ask a pro near you, if you don't want to mess up the data....

Did you see your pm?

Janos

I tested the HDD with MHHD. Lots of Erros there. Main Problem is, the HDD works not stable. Seems like BIOS detects the drive only every 3rd or 4th trials We tried to backup the drive with "dd" on a linux system. After about 180MB the drive is no longer accessable by the system. Looks like there is not only a bug in the filesystem.

Yes, this is why i am sad every time, dd/ddrescue is too agressive by default.... :S
Can kill a dieing drive completely.
If i remember right, there is allready on my DIY topic.
The price gets higher if the case is recoverable at al.

Period. (BlackSt inc.)

Janos

I think i will give up. At least i´ve had learned something about HDD-Problems and ways to check a drive. And last but not least: if data on HHD are really important, just disconnect the drive and send it to a pro. As read on DIY, too. Thank you all for your help!

Check your PM!

Janos