I just want to know if there is possibility to make the HD work again in full functional after it has been damage mechanically (weird noise heard once it connected).

I had one HD produced weird noise when connected but waiting for a while the system will detect the HD but either access or checking the condition of the HD is not possible. It just hanging-up until the "explorer" failed to respond.

i read some document telling that the weird noise is a sign of HD dying...but they always used the word "might" which give me hope and chance to save it but i don't have any idea.

If you have any idea (guys out there!) how to do it pls let me know...by the way iam using laptop and my HD is connected externally via usb 2.0 and have no destop available.

thanks!

common problem with portable hard drive. Impacting the hard drive at the right area may dislodge the stuck head, but it's a risky proposition. It's time to buy another hard drive if you cannot access the data on it. A hard drive recovery specialist will be able to recover 99% of the data on the hard drive. Price starts around $400 and can go up to several thousand $.

thanks ...that was risky move. I just thinking how dismantle the parts of HD to find the mechanical problem then assemble it again but also a risky and disperate move.

I would try several desperation actions that I have had work before. I had a drive failing in a laptop and just turned it on its side and tapped the drive area slightly while booting. It worked long enough to get the data off of it. I also had someone say that their drive was failing, It was plugged directly to the laptop. It would not boot up. I unplugged the external and the laptop booted. I tried the external with a powered USB hub and it worked fine. I have also cooled a drive down in a refrigerator for a while and It worked long enough to be seen by the pc and removed some of the files on it. I have also used a program that had a free download, I can't remember what it was but it allowed you to copy like two folders at a time unless you purchaesed it. It allowed me to see some of the data on the drive. Good luck

ok thanks! i will try it then...but i think the HD was dying i just heard wierd sound during recognition of external usb. It seems that the HD keep on moving the head but it won't work. Strange thing is that it recognizable in the explorer but it will take a time to that (approx. 5 mins.) but i couldn't retrieve the files.

Don't disassemble the hard drive if you have important stuffs that you want to recover. Sounds like you have corrupt data in the hard drive since you were able to boot to windows and scan the drive.

I would definately try it with a desktop pc. If the hub or laptop usb port doesn't have enough power sometimes it will spin and make noise but it will not recognise the drive or see the data on the drive.

turn it upside down. sometimes works

Note: All at your own risk and highly dangerous for your data.


Mechanical solutions from feasible to impossible:

- Tilt the drive while its running. Risk: low

- Replace IDE flatcable for a very old (no U-DMA support) one Risk: low

- Power down, put the drive upside down, power up. Risk: moderate

- Use drive in a completely different motherboard with a completely different chipset , the older the better. Risk: moderate (perhaps it wíll never read a thing again). I.E.: You originally put it in an Amd cpu+nForce chipset. Now try an Intel cpu+ViaTech chipset.

- Disconnect the drive, remove electronics print and replace it with an exact similar one (note the firmware, pcb type, etc). Risk: high

- Disconnect the drive in a dust free environment. Purchase an exact similar (down to the last typenr !) harddisk and replace the servo mechanics. Risk: ultra high

- Smash harddisk while its running and clicking. Risk: almost 100% guaranteed failure and a dead drive


Software solutions from feasible to impossible

- Disable S.M.A.R.T. via company harddisk tools. Risk: low

- Use Linux (Knoppix for instance) to mount drive and copy it. Risk: low

- Use SpinRite 5.0. Risk: moderate (since spinrite doesn't really do anything)