Data Recovery

[TLW]

Righto, recently built a new computer using some components from the old one, but the problem is with disks:

Old setup:

1. 74GB Raptor internal SATA
2. 200GB internal IDE
3. 320GB internal IDE
4. 750GB internal SATA
5. 200GB external IEEE1394

Disks 1 and 4 went into the new computer unaltered joined by a new 1TB internal SATA disk with all the data from Disks 2, 3 and 5

Disks 2 and 3 went into the new media PC downstairs, 2 was quick formatted and had XP installed, 3 was left with the file structure intact

Disk 5 was quick formatted and connected to my mum's computer for her to use as her backup disk, it hasn't had anything written to it except for the format

Now, this is where it gets tricky, the brand new 1TB disk has decided to die on me, when the system POSTs it spins up and the head clicks repeatedly but the drive is not recognised by windows or in the BIOS, i haven't tried anything yet as i was late for work

Now... the dead disk had all my music and films on it but tbh i can get those back from my Zune and the disk in the MPC downstairs, however it also had my documents on it, which aren't easily replaced and they include all my pictures etc - in the old PC they were stored on the 74GB raptor and the backup was on the external drive, i copied them over to the new drive and stupidly haven't created a backup so the question is, is it going to be easier to attempt recovery from the drive that's dead or dying or the healthy one that's just been quick formatted?

when i get home tonight i'll be trying all the usual tricks, new cable etc just in case it's not the drive but any suggestions are appreciated


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Thread locked.
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RebateMonger - AnandTech Moderator
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[MadAmos]

Probably better to try the quick formatted one the file s should all be intact I would try it first.

 

[TLW]

Originally posted by: MadAmos
Probably better to try the quick formatted one the file s should all be intact I would try it first.

managed to nip home at lunchtime so got a program scanning the disk as i type, 140,000 files found at ~10% scanned

hopefully it'll manage to salvage my photos, if i can get them off either disc i won't mind losing the rest, it's replacable but they aren't

ordered two replacement 1TB drives now with the intention of running them in RAID1 - but i'll see how i feel when they arrive tomorrow

 

[TLW]

Well, i let a program run a full scan on my disk, taking about 6 hours, and it found a load of files, but when i ask it to recover you can only do it with the full paid for version....

now if they'd mentioned this when i downloaded the trial i'd have understood, but the only limit it specified was a 30 day time limit

a line of asterisks doesn't do my anger justice!!!

so hacked off, at least i could save a log of what was found and the pirate bay was able to help me out *wink*

currently recovering what it can, but it's going to take hours so no news until later today

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: TLW
Well, i let a program run a full scan on my disk, taking about 6 hours, and it found a load of files, but when i ask it to recover you can only do it with the full paid for version....
......
so hacked off, at least i could save a log of what was found and the pirate bay was able to help me out *wink*

That's how commercial data recovery programs work. Otherwise, people would use the trial version, recover their data, and pay nothing to the folks who put the work into creating the program. Kinda' like you.

 

[TLW]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: TLW
Well, i let a program run a full scan on my disk, taking about 6 hours, and it found a load of files, but when i ask it to recover you can only do it with the full paid for version....
......
so hacked off, at least i could save a log of what was found and the pirate bay was able to help me out *wink*

That's how commercial data recovery programs work. Otherwise, people would use the trial version, recover their data, and pay nothing to the folks who put the work into creating the program. Kinda' like you.

that's fine, i don't have a problem with them if that's how they decide to run their trial software, but if you're going to do that then tell people when they're downloading it, if they'd have said that before i ran the trial for 6 hours i might have been more inclined to hand over my hard earned for the full version, as it was they left me hanging and as i was pissed off i decided to deny them my custom

as it is it's actually godawfully slow to recover too, it's been "saving" files for 24hrs now and has just hit 55% - still i'm not complaining, it's recovered pretty much everything i couldn't replace and it was free

happy days...

 

[ColKurtz]

So they save your files (which you came in here asking someone to help you with... remember?), you rip them off, then have the nerve to whine about their documentation. You are one un freaking believable @ssclown.