Dead Laptop Drive Options

[guptasa1]

Hey all,

I mainly do software troubleshooting of computers in my area with some hardware work. I've got a laptop with a dead hard drive (SATA). Clicks loudly when it tries to access, which I think means a head problem.

I've tried the freezing trick (in a static-proof bag, then a zip-lock) with no luck (though it is a bit quieter. I went about 3 hours the first attempt and left it overnight (8 hours) the second. Should I try 24 hours?

Any other suggestions I could try to get this working? I'd consider something like SpinRite, but if my thinking is correct, with a problem like *this*, that software wouldn't help.

Any ideas appreciated. I already let the customer know recovery is not likely, but I'd still like to try anything. (I do know if they want to pay $1K+ there are services that could help, but I don't think that's an option for them).

 

[Denithor]

If freezing 8 hours didn't do it 24 hours isn't going to either.

But here's an idea: freeze the drive overnight, then plug it in and leave it in the freezer while you attempt your data recovery (use long cables). That way it doesn't "warm up" while you're trying to salvage the data.

EDIT: Further reading.

 

[guptasa1]

Might be worth a shot - not sure how possible it is logistically but I might be able to... Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[guptasa1]

Well, set my freezer colder and that *almost* worked. Not quite (almost sounded like it was reading and identifies better). (May try that one more time in my desktop.) Can't really logistically do the "still in the freezer" drive idea at the moment, though it's a great one. Also tried SpinRite and it's trying but quite hung up. Gonna let it try overnight I suppose.