Hard disk failure on laptop

[PetunZ]

Overview of the problem
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Laptop hard drive died and we need to get data from it (pictures, documents, etc).



Full description of the problem and symptoms
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Copied from an email my friend sent me:

"My mom was working at her laptop and she went to go shut it down and then she got this bright blue screen saying an error had occurred and that the computer would need to be shut down. So we shut it down then turned it on again, and now what it does is load forever - the line just keeps scrolling and scrolling on the screen with the big Microsoft XP logo... and eventually doesn't start!! It goes to a screen that says a problem has occurred and that you should restart with several options for restarting, like "safe mode," "safe mode with networking," "pick last settings where it worked," "normal"... all of them go back to the SAME SCREEN. One time I got a screen that said : "Operating system not found."?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
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I believe everything was in working order before the sudden BSOD crash.


Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
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Hard drive seems to be corrupted/failed. It won't load at all (not even in an external enclosure -- see next question).



I already tried these steps:
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I tried removing the hard drive from the laptop and placing it into a HDD 2.5" External enclosure (Nexxtech NX2). I plugged it into another computer via USB and the drive takes a long time to load/show up in the "My Computer" section. After it comes up, I tried clicking into it to see what data was salvageable, but it gives me the error:

"D:\ is not accessible.
The disk structure is corrupted and unreadable"

Any other suggestions?


My software:
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Win XP Home, SP2 was installed on the busted HD. I tried plugging it into a computer with Win XP Pro SP2 and Win 2000 but it would not show up in either.



My hardware
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Sony VAIO Laptop Model PCG-9P6L

Toshiba HDD 60 GB

Let me know if more info is needed and I'll post it.

 

[robisbell]

will have to send it off to see if anything is salvageable, nothing you can do, they will need to contact professional data recovery companies and see which will be the least damaging to their wallet.

 

[cubby1223]

Running chkdsk against the drive often gets it back working. Sounds like there's a bad spot on the disc surface, does not sound like a problem with the drive mechanics.

But as always, anything you do with a failing hard drive may make the situation worse. It's always a calculated risk. But I'd say running chkdsk against the drive is an worthwhile move.

 

[jamesminilogo]

Is the drive seen under Disk Management?

I had a hard drive that wasnt being detected by windows but was being shown on Disk Management.

I had to use GetDataBack for NTFS to recover the drive which it did flawlessly.

 

[Old Hippie]

Troubleshooting thru a USB connection is just another roadblock.

I would buy a 2.5" to 3.5" converter, hook it directly to a MB, DL the trial of GetDataBack, and give it a shot.

Doesn't mean it's gonna work, but it's as close as you're gonna get.

Good Luck!

 

[PetunZ]

Thanks for the responses. I'll give those options a shot!

 

[MadAmos]

If the data is really important consider that if there is a mechanical problem with the disc or heads that every time you power it up more damage may be occurring. You may want to talk to a professional and Here is one I have found to be easy to deal with. YMMV