Problem with my har...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Problem with my hard disk

6 Posts
5 Users
0 Likes
501 Views
(@vincitytaymodaimo)
Posts: 1
New Member
Topic starter
 

Hello, I am new to this site. I am currently encountering a "defective drive heads" on my Seagate hard disk. I got the terms from researching the internet for similar faults. The hard disk clicks, and wouldn't be detected by the computer. It also freeze the whole computer even though it is not my primary hard disk.

I am wondering if I should try the freezing method. If so, how many hours should I leave it in the fridge. Secondly, if I am to get a new harddisk of around 120 Gb, which brand should I go for? I heard that Seagate always produce this problem.

Thank you very much for your kind help!!!

Regards,

 
Posted : 24/09/2018 8:35 am
(@p38cyq)
Posts: 44
Trusted Member
 

I have applied the "freezing method" a lot of times in the past years, more especially on "dying"hard drives.
Freezing could help, as both the platters and heads are shrinked by a very, very small amount of µM, so that the heads recognize the data on the platters again, instead of scratching them.

My method put the HDD in a sealed plastic envelope (such as used in freezers; this avoids condensation ingested from the outside).

Put this combination into a freezer, with a temp of approx. -20 °C if possible (classic specs of a Seagate 500 Gb Sata says storage temp max. -40°C check for your specific HDD min. storage temp). My freezer only goes to -18°C and this is OK.
Allow at least 24 hours to cool the drive to that temperature.
Remove the drive + envelope from the freezer, let adapt to 0…10°C (this takes some 6 hours) and connect again.
FYI a classic HDD works fine as of 0°C.

My success rate 10%. This is not too much…. but might be your last chance.

If you are a bit skilled you can also replace the R/W heads if the platters are not scratched.

Make sure that the PCB, and its associated drivers/FW on that drive is not damaged; I have a big stock of them and replace & test before carrying out other alternatives.

Good luck!

 
Posted : 07/10/2018 4:42 pm
(@randomaccess)
Posts: 385
Reputable Member
 

I am wondering if I should try the freezing method. If so, how many hours should I leave it in the fridge. Secondly, if I am to get a new harddisk of around 120 Gb, which brand should I go for? I heard that Seagate always produce this problem.

Hard drive repair folk say only use the freezing method if you don't want your data back basically.
If the data is really important to you id recommend finding someone that can properly diagnose and acquire the data

In terms of which drive to go with, seagate and western digital are pretty much all you've got. I've used both, both are fine. both fail. Backup your important stuff

 
Posted : 08/10/2018 7:54 am
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

My success rate 10%. This is not too much…. but might be your last chance.

10% as 1 out of 10 attempts, as 10 out of 1000 attempts or 100 out of 10000 attempts? ?

Anecdotally, I have had hard disks that I managed to recover data from by simply yelling at them hard enough.

And this guy - reportedly - fixed his disk by heating it
http//www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2460340/fixed-seagate-1tb-barracuda-fails-start-spins-clicks-spins.html

@vincitytaymodaimo
You have before you a binary path, please choose
0) if the data on the hard disk are valuable enough, you will need to fork from a non-trifling amount of money (in the US$ 500 to US$ 2000 range) for a professional hard disk repair service (be ready to spend up to US$ 300 for just the diagnosing, without any guarantee that any recover is possible)
1) if the data on the hard disk are not valuable enough, you have a number of options, none of which will help you recover any data, but that may help you with your conscience ("at least I tried", you know), including the freezer trick, the yelling (really hard) at it, tapping on it Shave and a Haircut with a platinum or tungsten rod, putting it for no less than 36 hours in a hyperbaric chamber and praying for its recovery.

The Seagates becoming defective typically have a sequence of clicks (ten, eleven or twelve) at power up, but that is just a symptom, the reasons why they do that may due to different causes, including bad heads or corrupted firmware.

jaclaz

 
Posted : 08/10/2018 9:40 am
passcodeunlock
(@passcodeunlock)
Posts: 792
Prominent Member
 

If you want your data back, forget the freezing, heating and yelling "methods" and better look for a professional service to do a full or partial recovery for you!

 
Posted : 08/10/2018 7:20 pm
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

If you want your data back, forget the freezing, heating and yelling "methods" and better look for a professional service to do a full or partial recovery for you!

Don't underestimate the yelling, it has at least two advantages over BOTH freezing and heating
1) it won't surely (further) damage the disk
2) it is relieving from the anxiety/stress the data loss induced

jaclaz

 
Posted : 08/10/2018 7:27 pm
Share: