Data Recovery

[Jules]

Can any of you IT clued up people recommend any programs for salvaging information from a damaged hard drive? My laptop HD's just croaked and I'm needing to get as much off it as poss... handily, the machine will take 2 HDs so this shouldn't be too arduous but I'm going to need some sort of software to dig around on the dead drive (it still spins ok- but under windows epxlorer is tellnig me it needs reformatting)...

 

[noelweston]

Jules -

I've had some success with Restorer2000 Pro - recovered quite a lot of data from a failing disk. However, this was on a disk that was recognised by windows explorer but not accessible - i.e. I could see the files but not open / copy them. The product does have a demo mode, so it might be worth trying.
http://www.restorer2000.com

If that doesn't work, you might be looking at data recovery companies if it's important info to you.

Noel

 

[kevgermany]

I've got something at home, but it's commercial. I'll look it up when I get there. Lots of free stuff as well that you can google. Shouldn't be any need to go to a specialist. Just don't let anything try and write to the disk.....

 

[Nick Wyver]

You may find that a Linux OS such as Fedora or Ubuntu picks up more than Windows can. You can operate one of these from a memory stick.

 

[Jules]

You may find that a Linux OS such as Fedora or Ubuntu picks up more than Windows can. You can operate one of these from a memory stick.

Interesting- how would one implement such a thing?

 

[Filton]

You can find ubuntu here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

along with goo dinstructions to create either a bootable cd or usb stick version of the OS. Linux is a valuable tool when it comes to mending Windows issues...

 

[kevgermany]

Just make sure the pc supports boot from USB, and that it's turned on in the bios. Older machines may not do this. But it's just as easy from a CD, which pretty much all pcs from the last 10 years or more should do.

Knoppix linux is specifically geared to CD startup.

 

[kevgermany]

Just remembered, I'm using r-studio http://www.r-studio.com/

 

[kevgermany]

These links may help with software sources (but I don't know any of the packages on offer):

http://opensource.software.informer.com/download-opensource-ntfs-data-recovery/
http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page
http://www.howtoforge.com/ntfs-disk-recovery
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1370...-on-an-ntfs-hard-drive-from-a-ubuntu-live-cd/

 

[Jules]

wonderfully ironic that on friday I buy an external hard drive, saturday I decide to back up my entire system and -half way through this process- (after 2 year's faithful service) my hard drive dies on me!

 

[Nick Wyver]

I see others have replied so I'll just add here as somewhere else to look.

 

[gladsaxisme]

wonderfully ironic that on friday I buy an external hard drive, saturday I decide to back up my entire system and -half way through this process- (after 2 year's faithful service) my hard drive dies on me!

Maybe you hand premonition and didn't know it

 

[DaveW]

I have used 'Test Disk' with some success Jules, no Windows type user interface but it does work.
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

If the hard drive is not spinning and you can remove it, stick it in a bag the freezer for about 30 minutes, that usually frees the bearings up sufficiently to get the disk spinning again.
Good luck.

 

[Tenor Viol]

You may find that a Linux OS such as Fedora or Ubuntu picks up more than Windows can. You can operate one of these from a memory stick.

I was going to sugges this - probably easiest if you find a mate who's a Linux fan to help out

 

[kevgermany]

I was looking at the Ubuntu site last night. You can download a bootable iso image and burn it to CD or a bootbale memory stick image. NOt sure if it has recovery tools on it, I'll take a look tonight if I get a chance.