Retrieving data from sick harddisk

[oynaz]

Hi guys

Recently, I cannot access the data on one of my harddrives anymore. Windows tells me the disk is not formatted. I have tried the tools from IBM's homepage (It is an IBM Deskstar 10 Gb drive), which tells me that all is well.

Apparently, the file system has an error. Is there any way to retrieve the data from the drive? I have backed NEARLY everything up, but I need two documents.

 

[birdpup]

Here is my standard compilation of resources. I recommend GetDataBack or a LiveCD.

Data Recovery Programs
1) R-Studio
2) Runtime's GetDataBack
3) Ontrack's Easy Recovery Pro
4) Quetek
5) File Scavenger
6) HDD Regenerator
7) TestDisk

Rescue Disks
UBCD4Win
BartPE
Knoppix

Hard Drive Related Products
Norton Ghost
Partition Table Doctor and Super Fdisk
DIY DataRecovery and iRecover
Acronis
Future Systems Solutions
Partition Recovery

Hard Drive Manufacturer Diagnostic Utilities
Seagate
Western Digital
Maxtor
Fujitsu
Hitachi

Google
Unix 'dd' command
Linux 'dd' command
Partition Recovery
Data Recovery
drive partition strategy
drive partition primary extended
drive partition
drive partition partitions partitioning

Hard Drive Freezer Technique
This technique is useful due to thermal contraction of mechanical parts
1) Place drive in an anti-static bag
2) Put drive in freezer for at least one hour
3) Remove drive from freezer
4) Quickly install in system
5) Attempt data recovery

If bios does not recognize hard drive, then reboot and try again until that one time the drive is recognized. If this does not work, put drive in another system and hope the bios of the other system detects the drive.

Memory Tests
memtest86
memtest86+

 

[oynaz]

Thanks. I broke one of my own rules and didn't do a throughout search before posting :-(
Can you forgive me?

 

[Fern]

Hey Birdpup,

D@mn nice post :thumbsup:

It should be a sticky

Fern

 

[FlyingPenguin]

iRecover works well and the free trial version lets you recover one folder at a time, which sounds like it will be adequate for your immediate needs.

 

[birdpup]

Thanks Fern, I have been considering making a thread just for this but I would first like to organize it some more. There are still important tools to add, such as FlyingPenguin's recommendation for iRecover, the diagnostic utility for the IBM deskstar as Oynaz mentioned, and then possibly some other related topics like backup. There is more that can be done with organizing this compilation and I am giving this some consideration. Of course, I am open to recommendations.

Oynaz, I tried searching for the diagnostic tools for the IBM deskstar hard drive but was unable to find it. Could you please provide a link or some general direction for finding the IBM diagnostic tools? Thanks.

FlyingPenguin, I have added in iRecover to the list. Please let me know if this is not the correct iRecover.
DIY DataRecovery and iRecover

EDIT: This Hitachi link states the Feature Tool and Power Booster supports the Deskstar. Is this the diagnostic for IBM Deskstars?