Laptop Hard Drive - Does Not Spin Up / BIOS Can't See It

[gavm99]

Hi all,

A friend has asked me to look at his laptop. It has coming up with Operating System found. I have removed the Hard Drive and installed it in PC but when I put my ear to it, it doesn't spin up like it should. It just sort of clicks a few times and then stops all together. The BIOS can't see it at all.

I think the drive is completely dead.

Is there anything else I can try before breaking the bad news?

Thanks.


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"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works

 

[goombawaho]

Nothing YOU can do and I'd recommend not turning it on any more. The clicking could be causing damage to the platters in case you want to do some data recovery on it. Figure to spend $500 - 750 for a basic data recovery - assuming it's recoverable.

 

[wahnula]

If BIOS can't detect it, bad news. Another person learns about regular backups the hard way. Like goombawaho states, your (or your friend's) only tenuous hope at this point is professional data recovery.

If s/he's OK with possibly trashing the data you could try the freezer method: place the drive in an airtight bag in a freezer for a few hours, then connect to a working PC and IMMEDIATELY start copying data (if it works). Proof of the veracity of this method here:

http://geeksaresexy.blogspot.com/2006/01/freeze-your-hard-drive-to-recover-data.html

You will note that in this example, after freezing for one hour the drive worked for 2 minutes; after freezing overnight it worked for 20 minutes...so...it's a last-gasp method that may or may not work, if professional data recovery is out of the question it's something to try. Best of luck.


Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[goombawaho]

I believe the freezer method was strongly cautioned against here a few months ago by a data recovery company representative. But, if you're not going to pay for data recovery services, it's a "last shot" at getting your data back by yourself and for free.

 

[gavm99]

Hi,

Well I had nothing to lose in trying the freezer method as my friend won't be paying for the specialist fees.

Anyway the freezer method didn't work so looks like a harsh lesson learnt my friend, always have a backup!!!

Thanks all.

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"Nobody cares how it works, as long as it works