HDD Freezer trick

[DaneJohnson]

I've read online that you can put a crashed/broken HDD in the freezer and possibly recover data for a short time after using it. Is there any truth to this, or is it a complete myth? As you might have guessed my HDD recently broke down and I'd like to get some critical files from it. If this does work is there a set time I should put it in the freezer? Any miscellaneous tips you can give me?

The HDD in question is a Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500.

 

[0roo0roo]

its the smack the telly and hope it comes back into wack type thing.
you have to put it in a sealed bag, then let it warm back up or well ur asking for condensation whcih is bad.
its the last hope kinda thing, can't hurt if ur already screwed. suppoesdly its based on the idea that supposedly if something is mechanically sticky it might get unstuck a bit if things expand/contract a bit.

 

[Soccerman06]

If you really need the files there is a few companies out there that will recover lose data, no matter the damage (but quite costly sometimes), just have to use google.

 

[Blain]

1. I had a WD HD that started to hard-lock after a short time.
After many reboots and allowing it to cool, I realized that it was heating up and locking.
I placed it in an anti-static bag, then into the freezer for several hours.

I got my CD-R ready to burn data and pulled the WD HD from the freezer.
I booted up the drive and copied the data I needed.
BTW, The WD HD NEVER locked on me again! I used it for over a year until I rebuilt my system. :thumbsup::laugh:

2. If your drive spins up, you could try SpinRite to fix it.
Many people have brought drives back from the dead with it. If the drive has physical or electrical damage, you're out of luck.

 

[Jiggz]

If there is loud mechanical sound when the hdd starts to spin or while spinning, you could be SOL with the freezer trick, otherwise, it doesn't hurt to try it. The other thing to think about is using an external connector (USB) for the cooled hdd so it can stay cool for a longer time instead of installing it inside the case. Additionally, try to copy data into another hdd so you can do it as fast as possible before the hdd warms up. If there's a lot of data, consider connecting the hdd externally with a long USB cable and a laptop right next to the freezer. Keep the hdd in the freezer!