Seagate ST3500320AS - not the FW issue - HELP NEEDED !!
January 13th, 2011, 9:26
So I got a famous Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 - 500GB / 32MB buffer that DIED 1 week ago. Although it's still in warranty and I will get a replacement immediately, I need to get my data off it. I am an ethusiast photographer and I am fully aware that I should back-up my stuff often, I managed to let my HDD take away TONS of pictures taken in the past 3 years. The HDD was having the SD15 firmware but the problem was not the famous : unrecognised unit or size 0. My HDD was perfectly seen in BIOS with the correct size and everything.
Now let's get down to the problem itself. When it crashed, the HDD was the main drive in my PC, having 3 partitions : 82 GB ( win7 x64 boot partition ) and 2 others with data ( about 190+ each ). It happened all of the sudden, while the PC was running. I usually have the PC running 24/7 and I came to the PC one day with the intention of getting some pictures copied from my Card Reader to my HDD. However, when I opened My Comp, the folders were taking 10 seconds to open so I figured something was up. I decided to restart the machine, thinking that it might be a windows issue. After restart, the OS wouldn't boot, I had some errors that some files were corrupted etc. I then realized it's a HDD failure and so I decided to get files off it immediately. Since I didn't have an OS to boot to copy the files, I used a Live CD to boot and copy my files on to another HDD. Everything went fine, untill I found out I needed more space to copy the files. So I managed to get quite a lot of files from it with no problems. I had another 2.5" external drive which was kinda empty but in order to have it working on the Live Windows I needed to start the PC with it connected. It wouldn't detected on-the-fly for some reason. So I shut down the PC, plugged the empty HDD and rolled on. When restarted again, the Live CD was acting up, not allowing me to open My Computer, after 2-3 tries, the Live Windows would not boot at all if the damaged HDD was connected. I then decided that I need a GOOD OS to try and get stuff from the damaged HDD. I had a very old 20GB HDD sitting arround for years so I installed windows XP on that, but I kept my damaged HDD off while I installed the OS, to make sure it wouldn't interfear with the instalation. However after the complete instalation and basic drivers were installed, the XP would NOT boot if the damaged unit was connected. I even installed win 7 on the 20GB HDD ( I know
) and the same thing was up: PC froze at windows start. So I took the damaged HDD and put it in a USB External Case. This was the OS would normally boot up and I could connect the HDD via USB. My computer was able to see the old partitions but they were displayed as RAW partitions. The Disk Management in Windows detects the HDD, it can detect the partitions, just like I had them ( 85 / 200 / 200 ).
Mind you, in all this time, BIOS was able to see the HDD correctly, size 500GB. I even managed to have the firmware updated to SD1A which is on it currently so this doesn't appear to be a firmware issue - that is known for this model.
So RAW partitions, well I figured it would be a very easy task to get the files off the RAW partitions using a Recovery Software. I tried several : EASUS data Recovery Wizzard 5, STELLAR Phoenix Windows Data Recovery, iCare Data Recovery but NOT a single one was able to get ANY FILES from the unit. The HDD being connected via USB, each deep recovery session took 30-40 hrs and NOTHING came up.
I tried formatting the first partition ( the smaller 85GB one ) - as I didn't care about losing the data on it as it only contained the Windows and several programms. Windows did not let me format the partition and it came down with an error.
The next big step I tried, since the HDD was apparently working fine phisically, was to clone it on to another 500GB unit using Acronis True Image ( off a Hiren's Boot CD ) - with the option AS-IS enabled. It took 3 days to do it, but it completed with no problems. I kept the damaged HDD aside, and kept trying to recover data off the new Clone HDD but same result happened. Only difference is, that this HDD allows me to boot up windows with it connected and the recovery attempts work a lot faster. Also, I tried quick formatting the small 85GB partition ( as NTFS ) on this clone HDD and it worked. I then tried recovering files off it one more time and it told me that almost 300 files were detected, which is quite a small number considering I should have been able to see my Windows Folder, but in the end I can't seem to be able to recover ANY FILE from that partition. I tried copying a small file on it ( 10MB file ) and it worked, I was also able to get the file off it so everything seems to be ok.
If I use Partition Table Doctor software, I can see the 3 partitions and also that the Partition Table of the HDD is corrupted and I try repairing it but it's telling me it's unable to repair it.
Bottom line is : the HDD seems to work normally, it is detected correctly in BIOS and the partitions are visible in Data Management in Windows with the initial sizes and typed but I simply CANNOT read anything off it.
What else should I try ??? I am really desperate but I am not willing to pay 1000$ to get the files, especially since the problem SEEMS so easy to solve by myself.
Thanks
Now let's get down to the problem itself. When it crashed, the HDD was the main drive in my PC, having 3 partitions : 82 GB ( win7 x64 boot partition ) and 2 others with data ( about 190+ each ). It happened all of the sudden, while the PC was running. I usually have the PC running 24/7 and I came to the PC one day with the intention of getting some pictures copied from my Card Reader to my HDD. However, when I opened My Comp, the folders were taking 10 seconds to open so I figured something was up. I decided to restart the machine, thinking that it might be a windows issue. After restart, the OS wouldn't boot, I had some errors that some files were corrupted etc. I then realized it's a HDD failure and so I decided to get files off it immediately. Since I didn't have an OS to boot to copy the files, I used a Live CD to boot and copy my files on to another HDD. Everything went fine, untill I found out I needed more space to copy the files. So I managed to get quite a lot of files from it with no problems. I had another 2.5" external drive which was kinda empty but in order to have it working on the Live Windows I needed to start the PC with it connected. It wouldn't detected on-the-fly for some reason. So I shut down the PC, plugged the empty HDD and rolled on. When restarted again, the Live CD was acting up, not allowing me to open My Computer, after 2-3 tries, the Live Windows would not boot at all if the damaged HDD was connected. I then decided that I need a GOOD OS to try and get stuff from the damaged HDD. I had a very old 20GB HDD sitting arround for years so I installed windows XP on that, but I kept my damaged HDD off while I installed the OS, to make sure it wouldn't interfear with the instalation. However after the complete instalation and basic drivers were installed, the XP would NOT boot if the damaged unit was connected. I even installed win 7 on the 20GB HDD ( I know
) and the same thing was up: PC froze at windows start. So I took the damaged HDD and put it in a USB External Case. This was the OS would normally boot up and I could connect the HDD via USB. My computer was able to see the old partitions but they were displayed as RAW partitions. The Disk Management in Windows detects the HDD, it can detect the partitions, just like I had them ( 85 / 200 / 200 ).Mind you, in all this time, BIOS was able to see the HDD correctly, size 500GB. I even managed to have the firmware updated to SD1A which is on it currently so this doesn't appear to be a firmware issue - that is known for this model.
So RAW partitions, well I figured it would be a very easy task to get the files off the RAW partitions using a Recovery Software. I tried several : EASUS data Recovery Wizzard 5, STELLAR Phoenix Windows Data Recovery, iCare Data Recovery but NOT a single one was able to get ANY FILES from the unit. The HDD being connected via USB, each deep recovery session took 30-40 hrs and NOTHING came up.
I tried formatting the first partition ( the smaller 85GB one ) - as I didn't care about losing the data on it as it only contained the Windows and several programms. Windows did not let me format the partition and it came down with an error.
The next big step I tried, since the HDD was apparently working fine phisically, was to clone it on to another 500GB unit using Acronis True Image ( off a Hiren's Boot CD ) - with the option AS-IS enabled. It took 3 days to do it, but it completed with no problems. I kept the damaged HDD aside, and kept trying to recover data off the new Clone HDD but same result happened. Only difference is, that this HDD allows me to boot up windows with it connected and the recovery attempts work a lot faster. Also, I tried quick formatting the small 85GB partition ( as NTFS ) on this clone HDD and it worked. I then tried recovering files off it one more time and it told me that almost 300 files were detected, which is quite a small number considering I should have been able to see my Windows Folder, but in the end I can't seem to be able to recover ANY FILE from that partition. I tried copying a small file on it ( 10MB file ) and it worked, I was also able to get the file off it so everything seems to be ok.
If I use Partition Table Doctor software, I can see the 3 partitions and also that the Partition Table of the HDD is corrupted and I try repairing it but it's telling me it's unable to repair it.
Bottom line is : the HDD seems to work normally, it is detected correctly in BIOS and the partitions are visible in Data Management in Windows with the initial sizes and typed but I simply CANNOT read anything off it.
What else should I try ??? I am really desperate but I am not willing to pay 1000$ to get the files, especially since the problem SEEMS so easy to solve by myself.
Thanks
Re: Seagate ST3500320AS - not the FW issue - HELP NEEDED !!
January 13th, 2011, 13:37
Problem in this:
Let me guess , it was WD or HP case?
Strange price for the logical problem . Solution is too simple.
put it in a USB External Case.
Let me guess , it was WD or HP case?
I am not willing to pay 1000$ to get the files
Strange price for the logical problem . Solution is too simple.
Re: Seagate ST3500320AS - not the FW issue - HELP NEEDED !!
January 13th, 2011, 15:59
Well, it's not a WD or HP case. I don't even know the name to be honest ... some STORAGE **** something. It had a WD 1TB inside when purchased new. Anyway, why is it relevant what type/brand it was ?
I don't know about the pricing, but I know these things can get up to a lot of $$ and I am not willing to spend that much. The solution seems simple to me also, the PCB doesn't seem to have any faults, and there isn't any physical damage apparently, would you mind passing on some ideas I haven't tried yet ?
I don't know about the pricing, but I know these things can get up to a lot of $$ and I am not willing to spend that much. The solution seems simple to me also, the PCB doesn't seem to have any faults, and there isn't any physical damage apparently, would you mind passing on some ideas I haven't tried yet ?
Re: Seagate ST3500320AS - not the FW issue - HELP NEEDED !!
January 13th, 2011, 17:43
Could you connect original drive via USB , open it in Winhex , open every partitions and show few first sectors of each? It would be quite nice if you show every MFT starts too.
BTW. Original drive you could connect to PC without USB only "on HOT" (if we have some garbage in 0 sector).
BTW. Original drive you could connect to PC without USB only "on HOT" (if we have some garbage in 0 sector).
Re: Seagate ST3500320AS - not the FW issue - HELP NEEDED !!
January 15th, 2011, 12:40
thanks for the answer dr-kiev.
right now, the bad HDD is at a repair/recovery center.Although they are not specialized just in data recovery and rather a computer repair center, I explained the problem and they said they would like to have a swing at it.
However I do have the CLONE to play with. Some guys said in order to recover the files off my corrupted partition I need to perform a quick NTFS format on them - so the data is still there and try recovery after that. I tried that on a partition out of the 3 and ran a recovery software but all it found me are some files/folders that were put there by the formatting ( System Restore Info, Recycle Bin and a few other $ files which clearly have nothing to do with my old files ).
I will try and attach the HEX files of each partition from my clone, assuming that it's the same as the BAD HDD.
right now, the bad HDD is at a repair/recovery center.Although they are not specialized just in data recovery and rather a computer repair center, I explained the problem and they said they would like to have a swing at it.
However I do have the CLONE to play with. Some guys said in order to recover the files off my corrupted partition I need to perform a quick NTFS format on them - so the data is still there and try recovery after that. I tried that on a partition out of the 3 and ran a recovery software but all it found me are some files/folders that were put there by the formatting ( System Restore Info, Recycle Bin and a few other $ files which clearly have nothing to do with my old files ).
I will try and attach the HEX files of each partition from my clone, assuming that it's the same as the BAD HDD.
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