Okay. To answer a few of the comments.
The rest of the responses has been an obsessive response to using client data. Can we not rather focus on putting something more useful on this forum with regards to data recovery . . .

Okay. To answer a few of the comments.

South Africa has about 3 recognised data recovery labs. They charge people the absolute earth for data recovery, whereas I would like to offer something affordable where there is access to these solutions for the everyday person.

I have practised on a few drives. But this is the first one I am actually going to make a small return on my investment. In fact out of all the responses from the elite users of this forum, only one has offered actual advice on reading and what material one can read up on, or some clue as to what to do.

So thanks Nick for that input. The rest of the responses has been an obsessive response to using client data. Can we not rather focus on putting something more useful on this forum with regards to data recovery eg.

Well the first step is the firmware, or the PCB is shot, or there is a seizure on the spindle etc.

With regards to spending 10,000 hour on becoming a pro, hell I have just been retrenched and this is something I have to get a handle on as this is what I invested my package in, because I know given the correct feedback I can master it.

So how about it guys. Can we focus on give tips on using hd doctor or shall we obsess on the patient drive. If I stuff it up, then I will buy the client a new hard drive. The contents that I am trying to recover is a few excel spreadsheet which have already been rewritten for the client by myself free of charge in good faith. Therefore the client stands to loose nothing on this project.