To some people, data is too sentimental for a price tag. Maybe you should consider whether you can or cannot live without this data. If you cannot, then do not even consider attempting anything yourself. Even if you replace heads perfectly, the PCB may have defects, or spindle motor can be failed also. Without accurate diagnostic from a profssional, all you can do is guess what is wrong, and probably loose your data forever.

Because studies are a full-time job already in the case of my friend (it's his drive so he will decide how much money he wants to spend) and me, and we think in long terms (better loan with a degree) instead of short terms (more money with another job at the moment, but not as much as with a degree). Sorry for being off-topic, but if the question was serious, I had to answer it, and if it was just meant in an offensive way, I wanted to show that there are reasons why people don't cancel their studies to earn approx. 1000 Euros to give a hard disk to some data recovery company.

Why don't you tell *everybody* to get a loan to afford expensive data recovery. Then nobody would have to write here, they'd all immediately give their drives to data recovery companies. Or is this forum maybe to learn a bit about data recovery and maybe even do it on your own? That's what I think at least - and that's why I wrote here.

@hddguy: Life would go on somehow without that data. It's just lots of documents, e-mails and holiday photos etc. my friend doesn't want to miss. Because of the prices, professional recovery just isn't an option, even if he couldn't live at all without the data, he wouldn't have that much money for recovery. That's why I was hoping for help - but I understand that further troubleshooting is only possible with expensive tools. I don't have that tools, so all I can try is getting a donor drive and do the rest on my own. If someone knows an alternative which doesn't exceed - let's say - 100 Euros by far, I am very open for that.

At least get an accurate diagnostic to determine exact problem, then you would have a better indication of the cost and then you can consider your options.

[quote="Stefan_DO"


Why don't you tell *everybody* to get a loan to afford expensive data recovery.quote]

What an excellent idea

I will see if someone (maybe BlackST) does diagnosis for little money. I doubt any recovery company would do that for less than 80 Euros or so (at least here in Germany), and if they do, they may not tell you what exactly is wrong, but they'd only give you a list of files so that you can decide whether or not you want them to start recovery. So in case I can't get this done with little money, I can only hope it's either the PCB or the head stack that causes problems. If it's the platters or motor, I think my chances with home equipment are really too close to zero to get it fixed. If it's the System Area, I can't do it either - don't own or know anybody who owns a PC3000 who would do it without charging big time.

Just to make the circle close :

1) The fact that the drive IDs (identifies) doesn't mean it is working properly.
2) SMART is not a "true" indicator of drive health because the SMART parameters are recorded into the disk. You can have a screwed surface with a clean SMART (you can record a bogus or reset SMART data if you have the right tools) or viceversa for other reason.
3) Diagnose is not a problem, but for example the only expenses to send the drive to italy in a safe way, and back, are not low.
Also, you need a intermediate carrier (a new drive?) to put the data back.
I am seeing what options are available to give a hand.
4) If you open the drive, you loose your data for sure. Student or not, you can believe in internet bullshit and your data = your choice, but if you have a slight possibility of getting the data back SOONER OR LATER why not ? Until the disk stays closed and in a safe place far away from magnets and other danger, the data is safe and sound (if not already lost for a head crash).
Controlled environment (that means also to know what you are doing) means data safety, if we are talking about some porn and warez then I'm the first to say "give up".

Okay, I haven't opened the drive yet ("thanks" my screw drivers didn't fit). But a small round label covered some hole (which - I thought - could have covered a screw instead of a hole), now that the hole was uncovered and air from outside could get into the inside of the drive, does that mean the data is most likely lost already? If so, I guess the story ends here. If not, can't I just send the drive to you the way it's sent by online stores (protected by little air bags inside the package)? If the heads are parked, this should be enough safety(?) About a new carrier: We could see - if it's not more than 10GB or so, maybe that's even possible via FTP, otherwise I'd transfer money for DVD+Rs of course.

So if you think there's still a chance (even after the hole got uncovered), please PM me your snail mail address, I will talk to my friend and send the drive to you ASAP.

Thanks a lot in advance!

if you haven't poked anything on the hole and quickly covered it... no, it won't harm. Unless you put a screwdriver right into it.

P.S. 1 byte or 10 GB doesn't matter : you have to "image" the ENTIRE drive anyway, then access data on the intermediate carrier.

No, I didn't put the screwdriver into it. So I hope there's some chance.

About the intermediate carrier: If you got some drive with >=60GB which you could temporarily use for that, that would be cool of course. If not, I could put a 3,5" IDE drive (300GB or 400GB, don't remember, but should be enough ) into the package aswell. So that would be the 2,5" 60GB (damaged) IDE drive and a 3,5" >=300GB IDE drive in the package, I hope that combination causes no connectivity problem for your equipment when it comes to imaging.

Okay - awaiting PM.

And thanks again.