I'm a student from India (and a complete newbie to this), I can't afford to pay the price data recovery firms have quoted for 'data retrieval' from my failed hard drive.


I have around 20 GB of the 120 GB backed up. I wish I had backed up the rest on DVD, laziness doesnt always pay I guess

I'd be grateful if you could offer me an insight into what the problem is, and offer a possible next step or solution, and give me an estimate of what it SHOULD cost to fix the disk (i've got different arbitrary quotes from different shops
, ranging from Rs 3000 to Rs 7000!)

The model details are as follows :
WD Scorpio 2.5 inch 120 GB HDD
WD1200BEAE-T1UWT0
Drive Parameters - LBA 234441648
DCM - HAYTJANB

I purchased a Western Digital 2.5 inch 120 GB hard disk in June 2007. It developed problems in February 2008, and 8 months is a very short period for an HDD to fail! When I connect it to a computer (via a USB casing), it starts spinning, then clicks twice, then starts spinning again. This repeats thrice after which disks stop spinning and there is absolutely no
sound from the hard disk.

This is what it sounds like (please turn the volume up, my mic sucks! please ignore the constant
background noise - a buzz, the hard disk noise volume is way lower than buzz volume, but distingushable) - http://download.yousendit.com/03FA6EA80F0211AC (please download the file)

The data recovery people connected it to a motherboard directly and checked the disk. They said that it was a 'media' failure, a mechanical problem. They said that they'll have to open the disk up and gave me an unaffordable quote.

The hard disk carried a warranty of 1 year, so it is still under warranty, but the issue is that if the data recovery people open the Hard Disk, it will render the warranty void.
Do Hard Disk manufacturers recover data too? If I give my HDD back to WD for repair, is there any possibility that they'll repair the hard disk without affecting the data? (by means of a head change or something, from what it sounds like to me, it seems like a head/spindle failure). Do all repairs by manufacturers result in data loss?


Should I try freezing the hard disk? Does the hard disk get permanently damaged after freezing? Should I try dropping it from a height? I've read in certain places that these are last resorts. However, since I can't afford a professional data recovery agency, I might as well try the freezing/dropping methods before giving it to WD for repair/replacement (incase there is NO hope of WD repairing the hard disk without data loss)

you can touch me,I can help you.My MSN is david.com.You can E-mail me or join me.Another,please visit our company website:"salvationdata.com."you can get more information.

Another professional spammer from SalvationData.

First, 8 months is not a short period for a drive to die. I recently had one die in a single day. Seagate, of course Drives are failing all the time. It's not like a car where you can expect no problems for the first 50,000 miles. They die at any time.

Second, ignore David....

A rough guess, it sounds like bad heads/preamp. Western Digital should honor the warranty if it's worked on by a professional DR company. If you absolutely cannot afford DR, you could try an icepack or two. Putting it in the freezer will make condensation on the platters. An Ice pack is a LONG shot, but won't hurt if you're not getting professional DR. You could also try connecting it to the Motherboard with a 2.5"-3.5" adapter. Other than that, all I can offer is this:

ALL hard drives will fail eventually. It might be in 5 minutes, or 10 years, but it's almost guaranteed to happen at the worst possible time. If you don't have the money for DR, spend a few bucks for a regular backup.

In which part of India Do you live.

DF

_________________
DF
www.datatracksystem.net

Thanks, rchadwick.

Final Qs -
Will the hdd permanently get damaged after using the freezing technique?

If there is condensation on the platters (which there will be!), how does the HDD work for a short period of time after it is removed from the freezer, shouldnt it malfunction the moment condensation occurs?

Also, does the condensation lead to permanent damage? Or does it work properly after the condensation disappears? I might gather enough money for a DR Company in a year or so, I might give it for DR after a year. I don't want to spoil chances of DR by throwing it in the freezer... Will freezing it diminish DR chances?

Yes, freezing may ruin your chances of DR. What I'm saying is, if you absolutely, definitely will never get professional DR, then you have nothing to lose. But if you try home remedies, and THEN send it for Professional DR, you just might lose your data, or at least make the recovery more difficult and expensive. You need to decide that now, as you may not be able to decide later.

Also, I suggested NOT putting it in the freezer. Freezing it will make condensation. Sorry I wasn't clear about that. Run the drive at room temp, and then put an ice pack on it. It's a little safer.