Is this HDD a recovery candidate?

[TAPtech]

Hi guys,

I have a client that would like to recover the images off a hard drive if it isn't crazy expensive (limit of about $500). I have not had the pleasure of requiring data recovery yet, fortunately, so I don't really know if this drive is a good candidate or if it's just totally wasted.

Drive is a Toshiba HDD2H41, the client says the laptop was dropped one day and it immediately stopped working.

When plugged into an external enclosure on a Windows machine, it spins right up and makes a few regular HDD access noises, followed by a clunk. Then it makes a few more regular sounding HDD activity noises for about 3 seconds, then clunks again. It endlessly repeats that process.

Does this sound like a firmware/board type fix or a clean room job?

 

[MichaelBits]

Sounds like its a head crash. Most likely just plugging it in to hear those noises has damaged more data.

Clean room.

 

[Markverhyden]

Stop messing around and send it out. @300DDR and @lcoughey, both on here amongst others, offer those services. As @MichaelBits said it sounds like data has already been lost.

 

[TAPtech]

That's the plan, just didn't know if this had signs of a definite clean room operation or not. I've tried contacting a few data recovery places using their chat programs, 3 different places and no response! I'll give them a ring tomorrow.

 

[nlinecomputers]

FYI. If a drive makes any kind of noise out of normal noises then the problem is hardware and you WILL do damage to the drive EVERYTIME. Not all of those problems need a clean room but they almost all need equipment to access and control the drive correctly.

Noise = Data loss

 

[TAPtech]

Yes... turned the drive on to check the noise, confirmed the noise, turned it off. Now everyone's giving me grief!

 

[Larry Sabo]

Yes... turned the drive on to check the noise, confirmed the noise, turned it off. Now everyone's giving me grief!

Don't feel badly (although I'm sure you don't, given the emoticon. ). The client turned it on first, didn't they? Drives have a fairly high tolerance for impact if they are not in operation at the time. If they were running when dropped/impacted, it's highly unlikely the data can be recovered. In either case, they should go straight to a clean room for the heads and media to be inspected without first being turned on--if the client deems the data worth the cost of recovery. But you knew that, I'm sure.

 

[DanF]

Yep, when I get such a description from a client and I know that he needs data off that disk, I will immediately outsource to a partner of ours. He knows this job much better than us, and he's able to give a quote beforehand.

TAPTech.... you shouldn't have turned it On!!!!!!!!! just kidding, but it's true

 

[lcoughey]

As I see it, there are three possible outcomes with this drive:

1. DOA - fatal head crash, making it unrecoverable
2. Minor Damage - can be recovered without head or platter changes (reseller price is 280CAD = ~230USD)
3. Major Damage - needs heads and/or motor change (reseller price is 1120CAD = ~920USD)

It should be noted that just because a job is under the minor damage and usually only takes 2-5 business days to complete, dropped drives can have enough damage that it could take us months to complete the recovery without a head change.

Luke

 

[TAPtech]

As I see it, there are three possible outcomes with this drive:

1. DOA - fatal head crash, making it unrecoverable
2. Minor Damage - can be recovered without head or platter changes (reseller price is 280CAD = ~230USD)
3. Major Damage - needs heads and/or motor change (reseller price is 1120CAD = ~920USD)

It should be noted that just because a job is under the minor damage and usually only takes 2-5 business days to complete, dropped drives can have enough damage that it could take us months to complete the recovery without a head change.

Luke

I really want to send jobs to you based on your activity in the forums, but you're in CA. I think that would be too much trouble for me. Do you have a clone in the USA?

 

[lcoughey]

I really want to send jobs to you based on your activity in the forums, but you're in CA. I think that would be too much trouble for me. Do you have a clone in the USA?

Sorry, just in Canada.

 

[TAPtech]

Guy clones hard drives all day and doesn't even think to clone himself!

 

[lcoughey]

I'm so busy here at the one location, I couldn't imagine managing a second location too.

 

[TAPtech]

no no no, your clone would be completely autonomous. It's better off if the two of you did not interact as you will argue too much.

 

[Markverhyden]

no no no, your clone would be completely autonomous. It's better off if the two of you did not interact as you will argue too much.

Yep, could be the start of the Clone Wars. LOL!!!!