Data recovery from hard drive

I just bought home my friend's computer. Looks like the hard drive is dying and makes a noise like horses, and the DOS says "Operation System is not present"

So I assume I have to replace the hard drive. Is there a way I can recover the data (mostly pictures) from the old hard drive or do I have to use professional help?

I thought maybe if I hook it up to my computer (same type) there is a chance. I might try that tomorrow...

 

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http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/...epair_Utilities/Active__UNERASER_for_DOS.html

you need to have an accessible floppy drive or cd-rom drive though that can be recognized easily.

 

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Hook it up as a slave for the new HD(install windows on new HD) then trasfer the files over. If the head reader is screwed - you will have pay someone big bucks, machines that will read the plates are expensive and not sold to the public. If you can't afford that, open it up and see if YOU can repair the head reader.

 

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Yeah, it sounds like the head is mechanically damaged. I will try the hook up first today and see how it goes. The data is pictures, so it has emotional value.

Thanks for the advice.

Now when I get a new hard drive, do they all fit or I might have to drill holes in the case?

 

It depends on your case size. If it's medium or tower, then you'll have place for both drives. No need for drilling.

 

OK, so I hooked it up to my computer. First I got the message the drive was recognized, although it made the ticking noise. But I can't find the drive in Windows. I assumed I have to assign a letter to it or something.

I turned on and off and for the 2nd time it didn't make the noise, but I still don't know how to access it...The control panel said the device is working properly...

The hook up was through the IDA cabel, the same cabel what is used for the original hard drive(partitioned). Maybe I should use the cabel for the DVD drive...

 

Cable shouldn't be a problem.

Did you set them Master/Slave?

Also, for recognizing:

My Computer/Properties/Hardware/Device Manager >> Right click > Scan For Hardware Changes

What's happening?

 

I did scan for hardware changes and it found the hard rive for the first time. After turning it on/off, it didn't. (?)

I put it back to its old case and I was able to access the DOS, so I guess that is good news and I probbaly could use the program what Draqon advised.

Also the ticking sound stopped. It still say Operating System not found.

I guess I have to figure out first how to set it master/slave. I thin I have to change the little connector on the back of it, right?

 

Yes. Jumpers on the back.

You have the scheme of the jumper's positions on the back also.

 

the HDD that boots your machine must be the master drive.

 

So the question at this point is this: Should I just go out and get a new HD anyway? Then I can tinker with the old. Or is there any chance the old still can be fixed? (I assume not or it is not worthy to take the chance)

 

Yes. I'm surprised you don't have at least 4 or 5 laying around.

depends on how big it is. if it's less than 300 or so MB then all its good for is a slave drive to hold downloads. a good idea by the way. that way you can run your virus scanner on your download drive

the first thing i would do is set the jumper in the back to slave, plug it into the second plug on the ribbon cable (red stripe is pin one), plug in the power connector then see if it shows in windows explorer. if it does then create a folder on your C: drive called transfer and drag all the old drives contents to it.

DO NOT touch the electronics on the bottom of the drive, handle the drive by its sides. also observe electrostatic discharge rules. ground yourself before opening your computer

if the old drive doesn't show up in explorer then i would try to repartition it. WARNING repartitioning a drive will destroy all of its contents. if you are successful then format each partition on the old drive that you created.

 

The old drive showed up in Windows FIRST, but not anymore. I got a new one and installed it. Since it is not my data on it, and it looks like the fixing takes too much time and research, I won't bother with it, unless I get real bored.

Thanks for all the help and learn the lesson: backup at least once a month!

 

What it seems to me that your hard drive suffered a physical failure and recovery of data is possible by data recovery service company. Its an expensive method to recover your lost data. If your data is so valuable then you can consult some data recovery service company. There are more than 100 of them, you can find them on google. One such data recovery company which I am aware of is Stellar Information. Haven't used their service but tried their product Stellar Phoenix FAT & NTFS data recovery software. A good utility which recovered almost all of my stuff.
I would advice that talk to their support people and discuss your problem, hope they might be some help to you.
Best of Luck.