Hi, everybody.

I have got some equipment connected to a computer with some imaging hardware. The hard disk (with Win98 and the drivers to the imaging hardware on it) died on the owners, and they had no backup. So they have given me the whole set. The equipment is relatively old, the selling company defunct, the manufacturing company sold twice, so getting the drivers would be difficult (I'm trying but no success). So I'd like to get the data in the hard disk. I guess the data is likely in good condition (the disk died once, then worked for a time, then died again).

The disk is not recognized when booting, althought it's listed in the BIOS as FX4830T-(SM). I've put it in another system and it's also not recognized. I'm a computer pro that have done both hardware and software, but my practical experience in hard disks stops when the sealed parts begin. I'm however not scared of trying things when the other option is a trip to the trashcan. I've read a lot about data recovery in these pasts days.

I have contacted a data recovery company (they will charge between 550 and 2000 euros depending on type of failure, more than 600 is above my interest in this whole thing). I've also localized a vendor with a very similar disk model (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-SV2042H ... 335b16fab9).

So my questions to the experts are: It's worth it to buy the disk and try to swap electronics? How about swapping plates? Which are my chances of success with no experience, no clean room and no special equipment? Should I carry the disk to the data recovery company for a (free) cost estimate? Should I try something else?

Thanks for your patience reading this :o) and for any advice forthcoming.

Julian

I would suggest to send that drive to one of the reputable members of this forum. Recovery will cost you much less then the company you have called and results will be better or same.

We have members her from UK, USA, Portugal and other countries. I can't remember if anyone is from Spain here.

_________________
www.datarecoveryne.com

Dmarques is in Portugal, dobrevjetser in Belgium or us in UK.

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

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

Thanks a lot! That's an idea that I had not considered. I will send PMs to these users you mention, and others I might find. A professional data recovery in a lower price range would be just what I needed ) I'll wait a bit, however, while I exhaust the option of getting the driver and software from the twice bought over company.

Thanks again.