Disk failing and has disappeared - any chance of saving

[ara3e5tq35g]

Hello,

I have a disk that is still being recognised in the BIOS and appears in windows device manager ( But not in Disk Managment ), it doesn't appear as a disk in windows ( it used to be called F: ), it 'chuggs' when the PC is booting up.

It is an extra disk for storage only, windows does not live on it.

The disk passes both 'long' and 'short' tests with the Seagate/Maxtor testing software.

Using GetDataBack, when trying to access the disk I get a lot of errors "I/O Error Unknown error (23) reading secotr XXXX on HD129"

I got most of the data copied off the disk before it disappeared but there is still one folder on there I need to get off if possible, any chance I can do it myself or will it need opening up by someone ?

Many thanks.

 

[G0AOZ]

My understanding of I/O Error Unknown error (23) is that it's a bad or damaged area on the surface of the platter.

Before you do anything else, ask yourself how important the remaining information is on that disk that you haven't yet managed to retrieve. It could be a very long job to try and pull it off.

If it must be pulled off at all costs, then a professional recovery service may stand a better chance, but you will doubtless have a significant financial outlay.

If, however, you are intent upon trying to retrieve it yourself, then start by using GetDataBack. This programme makes no physical changes to the disk/file structure, so can have several goes at it. Make a note of the bad sectors and try getting it to scan other areas of the disk and see if it will retrieve anything that resembles what you're looking for.

Failing that, you could try running SpinRite. This reputedly has a very sophisticated search and repair system, which amongst other things will use varying magnetic field strengths on the reading heads to try and tease every possible morsel of info off the damaged areas. Be warned that you could be scanning some areas for hours on end!

Good luck.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[ara3e5tq35g]

Thanks G0AOZ for the info on the error. I dont think it will be the platter thats damaged because the seagate/maxtor testing program can read the disk ( that is to say the disk passes the read 'test', and the disk sounds normal when that program is doing the scan ).

I tried scanning different parts of the disk with GetDataBack, but every single read is returning the above unknown error (23) and also error 1117. I will try SpinRite you mentioned tommorow.

As the disk is showing up with correct serial number in the bios, does this mean it is less likely to be something wrong electronically with the disk and more likely physically ?

Thanks again.

 

[G0AOZ]

If something was wrong with the electronic controller/interface board, I'd not expect the drive to show up at all in the BIOS, or at best you'd not get GetDataBack to produce anything at all. Probably wouldn't even spin... So, I'd say it's most likely entirely down to corrupted data if the FULL manufacturer's diags run and report no errors.

Might be worth checking that the ribbon cable you're using is 100%, and the other trick to try is put the drive in a sealed bag and lob it in the freezer for a couple of hours. When sufficiently cooled, take drive out of bag, ensure no moisture is present on the electronics, connect up quickly and run G-D-B and see if that helps at all. It may or may not help, but worth a shot...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[ara3e5tq35g]

Problem solved ! I dont know exactly what the problem was though...

All the windows based recovery software I tried could not read the drive at all, but Uneraser for DOS could read the disk and find all the files (and save them).

Even the windows based version of the same software couldn't read the drive so it must have been something related to windows. The maxtor test software is FreeDOS based and that could also read the disk...

Anyway glad thats sorted, Uneraser isn't free but needs must when the devil drives, and there is a free demo if anyone stumbles across this thread in a similar situation in future.

ta for the tips G0AOZ.

 

[G0AOZ]

Glad it's all worked out ok for you - thanks for letting us know your solution.

ROGER - G0AOZ.