how can i get data off my dead HDD?

**cheesepuff** · #1 17th Nov 2007

as some of you know i have a samsung 500GB HDD that failed. is there anyway i can get it off without going to someone and paying the? i may be a computer gamer but i still have a budget.

**alex** · #2 17th Nov 2007

Yeah, I remember you posting a while back CP.

How did it die again? As this will have a bearing on any advice.

**cheesepuff** · #3 17th Nov 2007

it died because samsung just isn't reliable. no real good reason for it to die. it was fine for about a week then it got TONS of errors. its not 100% dead, but I'd say at least 95% on its way. it spins, and can get select files off. but right now its been unplugged for a few weeks as to preserve what data i have left on it. all my beautiful videos i made, all my games (i got a big HDD cuz im too lazy to put in disks, etc) and my music that i paid for!!!! >:(

**serverguy** · #4 17th Nov 2007

Depending on the state of failure you may be able to use something like Knoppix to clone the disk to another one.

If it is even worse, and you have tried everything, you can try the old technique of putting it in a bag and freezing it overnight. Then use it while still cold.

But the more you do with it the worse it will get, and you definitely don't want to do anything that will write any data to it.

Or if you really want you data then give it to a specialist and they will get it all back.

If you want to pay for something, I like Spotmau Powersuite. Lots of usefull tools.

**cheesepuff** · #5 17th Nov 2007

i use Acronis disk suit. it can copy my HDD to back it up, but it will get error and stop the copying if the HDD is damaged. i never heard about the freezer thing.

**serverguy** · #6 17th Nov 2007

Originally Posted by cheesepuff

i use Acronis disk suit. it can copy my HDD to back it up, but it will get error and stop the copying if the HDD is damaged. i never heard about the freezer thing.

I've never done the freezer thing but I think that it does work sometimes. Not sure why though.

I don't think that Acronis will do it, you will need something that will just copy as much stuff as possible which Knoppix will do.

**cheesepuff** · #7 17th Nov 2007

i want all my data. all 280GB of it. is Knoppix free?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is your PC dead? Find out why and how to fix it	alex	General Hardware Chat	4	16th May 2008 10:14 PM
Dead Pc?	Kadejd	General Hardware Chat	2	28th Oct 2007 04:55 AM
Dead M/B ??	ferrytrip1	CPUs, Motherboards & RAM	4	3rd Sep 2007 04:20 PM
Hello Hello !!! - Dead Computer	dilbert	Cases & Power Supplies	29	22nd Jul 2007 01:22 PM
dead pc	buchanan	General Hardware Chat	34	20th Jun 2007 08:12 PM