The failed harddisk is my own, from an Asus N51 laptop. I would like to avoid spending $500+ on data recovery, as the data is not anything commercial, mostly pictures from the last few months I have unfortunately not backed up. I would like your suggestions on either how to fix this drive, or where I can find (very) cheap data recovery services.

Now, to business:
On boot, I first got a S.M.A.R.T. error, which I then disabled in BIOS. Now I get 'AHCI port 0 Device Error'. The HDD is recognized in the BIOS as ST9320421AS SD14.
Loading MHDD (I have not used it before) with SCSI support gives a series of errors about files not found, then starts, loading without SCSI seems to work fine. Either way, for both controllers I always get the message 'drive is not ready'.

Drive info (on the sticker):
ST9320421AS
PN:9GE114-286
FW: SD14
SN:5TJ0MZ11
Site: WU
Date:09374

Also, on the metal case it says: C223381129-AC

I have some experience with computers, but so far only with things that are supposed to come apart . Any soldering or electronics should also not be a problem.

If you have any advice on fixing or cheap DR, thanks!

Kai

You may have more success in IDE mode instead of AHCI mode. MHDD frequently does not work on AHCI controllers.

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

I've changed the 'SATA Operation Mode' to 'compatible', which seems to be the equivalent of setting it to IDE mode.

Anyways, I get new errors:
"Can't detect TPM device!", which is new, and
"Primary Master Hard Disk error", which sounds like more or less the same thing as before.

My harddisk now shows under PCI controllers in MHDD, which did not exist at all before. I've only used ID and SMART so far, as these are the only commands I'm sure won't do anything do my drive.

Here are the results:
Getting SMART attributes... Error: Device Error
ID gives all the device information I posted before, plus "LBA:0" and "Size:0MB", and then says "This device does not support LBA mode, MHDD will not work with this device."
EID however includes LBA and LBA48 in the "Supported" section, which has me slightly confused.

Any more tips?

Kai

The disk needs to be serviced, but it won't be a 10 EUR fix. Live with it.

Could anybody please confirm this before I give up?
Also, just out of curiosity, what does it mean that LBA is listed under supported, it then says that the disk doesn't support LBA? Or are these unrelated?

I have slightly over 250EUR that I've saved over summer towards a new camera to spend. This includes buying a new HDD, which leaves 200 for 'servicing', would this cover it? If cheaper is possible that would of course be great, I want that camera .

Thanks,
Kai

Well why don't you get some quotes from your local dr lab, because your diagnosis isn't going to get you an accurate estimate.

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Zero Alpha: zeroalpha.com.au
Find Cheap Donor Drives App: https://www.zeroalpha.com.au/donor-drive-app Updated February 2026

If you're willing to ship to UK, I'll check it out for you.

If it's nothing physical (i.e. if it's a FW issue) then €250 would cover a recovery from us comfortably.

Cheers

Sean

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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!

If you're willing to ship to UK, I'll check it out for you.

If it's nothing physical (i.e. if it's a FW issue) then €250 would cover a recovery from us comfortably.

Cheers

Sean

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

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

... or to Italy

I'll be moving to the UK for uni in about a month, so that sounds fair. I also need to buy a new HDD, so unless it's working after DR, or the warranty is still valid, that also needs to be taken from the 250 Euro.

Just out of curiosity, what could cause the symptoms I'm seeing? For those who don't want to read the thread, they are:
The drive supports LBA (manual, BIOS), but MHDD says it doesn't. Also, the size is reported as 0MB in BIOS and MHDD. Is it this: http://www.dataclinic.co.uk/data-recovery-seagate-laptop-momentus.htm (first entry)?

Good luck to you, dude.

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www.datarecoveryne.com