We need to see if images on a hard drive that does not respond can be recovered. Search shows that there's a number of companies offering their services but would appreciate any vendor specific recommendations from others who may have had to go through this.
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Hard drive recovery?
- Thread starter Timzee
- Start date
MediaArchivist
Veteran Member
There are levels of "does not respond":
#3 is bad news, the drive might not be recoverable at all. #4 is very bad™
Assuming you can't read it on another computer, and there is no visible smoke, the only thing you can do is send it to a professional outfit that does forensic level recovery. Ontrack (now "Kroll Ontrack") has historically been the big gun in that industry. I have used them in the past, they are expensive but if the data is on the drive they can recover it. I have also heard of SalvageData and TTR Data Recovery, but I have never used them.
- Can't boot from it, but the computer otherwise does not report errors.
- The computer reports "no disk".
- The disk makes loud clacking noises.
- In addition to #3, there is visible smoke and/or sparks.
#3 is bad news, the drive might not be recoverable at all. #4 is very bad™
Assuming you can't read it on another computer, and there is no visible smoke, the only thing you can do is send it to a professional outfit that does forensic level recovery. Ontrack (now "Kroll Ontrack") has historically been the big gun in that industry. I have used them in the past, they are expensive but if the data is on the drive they can recover it. I have also heard of SalvageData and TTR Data Recovery, but I have never used them.
henryp
Veteran Member
My wife's company has used Ontrack Data Recovery successfully.
Aram182
Member
Just recovered my hard rive few weeks ago. Lost about 70% if all files. It recovered all, but files got damaged
PhotoFactor
Senior Member
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If the drive does not appear to have hardware problems, but shows no files or data, try SpinRite at grc.com. It does an OS-independent exhaustive set of reads and rewrites to recover the maximum possible amount of data if there are damaged areas or sectors on the disk.
Thanks for the input. Basically it justs died. No visible/audible clues before one day it just didn't show up (Win 7). I've tried different computers & docking devices with no luck. It does act like it's starting up when connected, but is not recognized by the OS. No "loud clacking noises" either.
Looks like the major recovery outfits offer a free estimate but the cynical side of me realizes I'm more or less at their mercy. Not unlike a mechanic giving an inflated estimate to that "little old lady" who doesn't even know how to open the hood.
But seriously, I assume outfits such as Ontrack are more reputable than that.
Looks like the major recovery outfits offer a free estimate but the cynical side of me realizes I'm more or less at their mercy. Not unlike a mechanic giving an inflated estimate to that "little old lady" who doesn't even know how to open the hood.
But seriously, I assume outfits such as Ontrack are more reputable than that.
\
Was this a software type recovery or did you send it out?
Franksson
Active member
Some years ago I successfully recovered the contents of a 'seemingly dead' laptop hard drive by freezing it. Instructions can be found here http://lifehacker.com/5515337/save-a-failed-hard-drive-in-your-freezer-redux , or just google 'freeze hard drive'.Thanks for the input. Basically it justs died. No visible/audible clues before one day it just didn't show up (Win 7). I've tried different computers & docking devices with no luck. It does act like it's starting up when connected, but is not recognized by the OS. No "loud clacking noises" either.
Looks like the major recovery outfits offer a free estimate but the cynical side of me realizes I'm more or less at their mercy. Not unlike a mechanic giving an inflated estimate to that "little old lady" who doesn't even know how to open the hood.
But seriously, I assume outfits such as Ontrack are more reputable than that.
\
davidedric
Veteran Member
Quite a few years ago, in business, I used these these guys http://www.vogon-investigation.com/index.htm so they've been around a long time.
They are definitely at the heavy end if the market (they recovered the Kuwaiti royal families data after a raid on their archives!), but since you don't mention your location they do operate internationally.
Dave
They are definitely at the heavy end if the market (they recovered the Kuwaiti royal families data after a raid on their archives!), but since you don't mention your location they do operate internationally.
Dave
The problem is that it doesn't come up in the OS. Simply not recognized.
PhotoFactor
Senior Member
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SpinRite works at the sector level, not the OS level, so not a problem if the hardware is functioning. It has it's own OS. In fact that's the type of situation where this program works the best. If the BIOS sees it, SpinRite will see it.
For $89 or so it's a lot cheaper to try than a full recovery service.
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It doesn't. Appreciate the suggestions but it's DOA. Exploring various recovery vendors now.
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