Hi

Hello

I have a problem with a hard drive-

After a recent security incident at our storage office, an external hard drive was smashed and almost destroyed.

We were able to recover the inside of the hard drive, and whilst the platters are not scratched, they do not appear to be damaged albeit for some dust.

Normally we would send any lost data to a data recovery service, however the information on the hard drive is extremely sensitive and it would a breach of our responsibilities and a large gov't contract to allow the hard drive out of our sight due to extremely sensitive security data.

After recovering data previously from a similar breach/attempted theft and destruction of equipment, we were able to summise that the data was retrievable once we were able to source an identical hard drive with the same PCB, serial number, firmware etc...

The only solution to our problem is tosource a donor drive identical to this one, and to have a techy repair the drive on site. That way, if info is leaked we will not have to legally disclose the incident providing we can witness the changeover of platter to donor drive, and see that the drive was never plugged in or its contents read. If we are able to source an identical hard drive and transfer the platters into the replacement drive that we source, what is the likelihood that data will be retrievable long enough to back it up; assuming the platters are not damaged- they do look absolutley flawless to the eye albeit for a fingerprint which has been cleaned with alcohol immediately, and the HDD is currently in an airtight bag and in a safer place.

Please understand, we are well aware of the risk that the data will be unrecoverable, we also know that with exposure to the air/dust etc; that the platters inside the disk drive may be damaged- however all we are requesting is that the hard drive is put back together for us, without any person having access to the information contained. This is the only solution we can use as a possibility- thereby ensuring the HDD is in our sight the whole time, and we can testify that no person had access to the information should the information ever become public.

We accept that this is not the ideal situation or process to recover data; however the sensitivity of the information is priceless and we would rather risk losing it entirely than having it accessed by another party. That is the risk we fully accept in attempting to openly repair the hard drive in house, as well as the possibility that no data will be recovered. We are able to create a "clean room" and have it sterilised and accessible for the purpose of the HDD transfer operation. I must repeat however that the HDD can only be repaired in our presence with no access to it's contents through technological means- we just need the HDD rebuilt and no liability will be held on your employee(s) for data which cannot be recovered, or for further damage to the hard drive in our possession..but, to be honest; we have to give this last process a shot, as it is all we have left to pin our hopes on as far as recovering the data goes; it really is priceless and impossible to put a monetary value on.

The information of the HDD is as follows-

Seagate 500 Gig

Barracuda 7200.10
s/n 5QGOQHTJ
ST 3500630A
P/N 9BJ046- 305
Firmware 3.AAE
Date Code 07275
Site Code WU
Made in China


BARCODE INSIDE CASE READS:
50KY4 underlined, and then
17237PPHPPPPTPOOPOOO

Barcode on the front of PCB itself reads:
100406534 D1 3727ZZAF

On the back of PCB:
100406538 REV A

Controller Chip on the PCB
(Agere)
100404195

On board itself, code written in copper track is
2 94V-0 0634

We are looking for a complete working donor drive to be posted to Brisbane Australia. Anyone out there care to share a little optimism or sell us a donor drive ?

Thank you
Tone

My personal opinion is that if the data enclosed is as important as you are making it out to be you should be aquiring the help of a seasoned professional, who will travel onsite to your office (Who has a portable clean chamber).

This way you can be present for 100% of the work, and the chain of custody can be maintained.

You can provide both the donor hard drive, and destination media for imaging so there are no outside drives entering your facilities (The only thing entering would be the engineer, and his tools)


This is not a case where you can throw togather a makeshift clean room and just throw some parts into it and have it work. I think you are vastly underestimating the complexity of the situation, and hard disks for that matter. Just because there is no visible scratches does not mean there are not serious complications that have occured, such as platter mis-alignment, etc.



I am sorry but I cannot share optimism for your cause; it is lost if you do not take the proper measures.


Regards,

your asking a lot.

Who was the idiot who put their finger print on the platter?

To be honest it sounds like you just want to know how it is done. Based on what you have said, YOU have little chance of recovering the data yourself. I can't see why you can't let the drive go to a lab (hand deliver). Am am sure DR Labs have recovered far more sensitive information.

On the other hand if you are willing to spend $40000 on data recovery, I will fly to oz and show you all my tricks. Also as you have opened it my fee is payable regardless of recovery outcome.

HDD Spaz you sold yourself short!

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All went well until I plugged the drive in.

Did I mention its payable upfront?

As I have been told by reliable sources when extremely sensitive data needs to be recovered for government purposes, they will send two agents with the data. The agents will not leave you out of site and take custody of the imaged data as soon as it's accessible.
That was a few years ago, not sure if much has changed.

Your approach sounds suicidal to your data!

Also, some Data Recovery labs have security clearances.

You certainly have some options other then the DIY approach.

Thanks for the replies- I especially like the fact that Mr Spazz thinks 40 Large is alot of money, and that paying upfront for a service such as this would be out of the question. Shows how much about the real world you really know.

There is actually a market for retrieving sensitive and important information that is not rescuing backed up copies of WOW.

And if you didnt come across as such an A-hole I may have considered your professional overtures. But I will allow the professionals who behave professionally to do the big boys' work.

But when i need to format my thumbdrive I'll PM you.


/thread.

For future reference you likely caused the data to be unrecoverable by tampering with the drive, regardless of what was originally wrong with it.

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You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

so i am a A-Hole for stating whoever put their fingers in this highly sesitive drive were an idiot (FACT). Also i am a A-Hole for stating you will not be able to recover it yourself with a 'donor' (FACT)

I am a A-Hole for giving you a very good price.


What exactly have I said to come across as such a A-hole? I take it, it was you that opened the drive so you have taken offence.

What does the A stand for in A-Hole? I am not use to such terminology as I live as sheltered life mainly living it up in WOW.

what a nonsense
It is better for you to take a hammer right now and smash that drive right away.
Many people say I usually make constructive oppinions, but I cannot say anything constructive here...

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

The original post is bullshit!

There are many international recovery companies which can handle this type of work.

So for this reason there would be no need to post this kind of crap on an open forum if confidentiality is utmost!

would it work on a linn sondek lp12...?

Simon75. IMHO Yuu would need the "Lingo Power Supply" as an extra option if you want to do that.

I myself use a Frisco Disco because it helps with platter wobble

_________________
All went well until I plugged the drive in.