Hard Disk Failure

Alright, here's the story. I'd appreciate it if I didn't receive a barrage of troll replies, but I expect it nonetheless.

Woke up this morning, felt like getting on my computer. It simply wouldn't load to the user login screen. No matter what route I took, after the green loading bar screen that says 'Microsoft", it went to a black screen. I'm running on Windows 7, HP computer.
I was incredibly persistent to fix the issue, I had work to do on the computer.

After going through LITERALLY every option under EVERY hotkey/function key, I remembered I had recovery discs. Popped those in, nope, no avail.

I stumbled upon a screen that displayed test results for... I believe it was: CPU (Passed), Hard Drive Connection (Passed), Boot (Passed), Memory?, I believe, anyway (Passed). Last, S.M.A.R.T (Failed), Error Code 303.

Google'd that, in summary, my hard disk is toast. Here's my only worry though.

I don't own an external HDD, so I wasn't able to back up any information. I spend a good amount of time on the computer each day, and I've had it for 2 or so years. It would be devastating to lose all of the files and data I had.

My question is, is there any way for me to recover those files, I already have the money to buy another hard disk.

January 24, 2015

13 Comments • Newest first

BobR

[quote=FallenGhost]Reading this made my heart start to race, lol. Fingers crossed I can retrieve some of the more crucial files that I need.[/quote]

Depending on how bad the damage to the drive is you may be able to recover some (or even all) of the files, as long as you're careful with it.
If you can find anyone in your area who's familiar with doing things like this that could help you set it up and recover the data that might be good also.

Reply January 26, 2015

FallenGhost

[quote=BobR]@FallenGhost SMART error 303 indicates the hard drive has developed unrecoverable defects on the platter surfaces.
That means operating the drive could make it worse, which includes any attempts to recover data from it.[/quote]

Reading this made my heart start to race, lol. Fingers crossed I can retrieve some of the more crucial files that I need.

Reply January 25, 2015

BobR

@FallenGhost SMART error 303 indicates the hard drive has developed unrecoverable defects on the platter surfaces.
That means operating the drive could make it worse, which includes any attempts to recover data from it.

Unfortunately professional data recovery services are quite expensive, and there's no guarantee they'd be able to recover anything.
Same for a less expensive service like Geek Squad.
Unless the files are extremely important it may not be worth the cost.

The best thing would be to replace the hard drive and install Windows on the new one, then use an external housing like 2005chuy linked to put the old drive into temporarily and see if you can copy anything from the old drive using the normal Windows copy.
If that doesn't work you can use a file recovery program like "Recuva" https://www.piriform.com/recuva from the company that makes CCleaner, another trusted disk utility program.
The free version will work just fine, it just doesn't come with professional support from the company.
The recovery program (any that you decide to use) should be installed on the NEW hard drive, and before you turn on the old hard drive. The time you have to work with the old drive may be limited depending on how bad the damage is already.

Then when you've recovered as much of the old drive as possible, you can take it out of the housing and give it a decent burial. (Or take it apart, there are some really powerful rare-earth magnets inside.)
Then you could buy another new hard drive and install it permanently in the housing to make your own external backup drive.
And you know what to do with that.

Reply January 25, 2015

FallenGhost

[quote=Thiefy996]"We take what's always been there for granted, but cry bitter tears when it disappears."

Though I'll be honest, I haven't backed up a single file since I got my computer a few years back. Probably gonna come back to bite me in the ass someday.[/quote]

Get on it! External HDDs are cost efficient, and they're useful. Don't make the same mistake I did, lol.

Reply January 25, 2015

FallenGhost

[quote=bluebomber24]Btw, if you are able to connect the drive to another computer, I believe Seagate File Recovery still has trial software, where you can like select an item and see if it can recover it. As long as its not too big, it will try and if successful recover it for free. The software cost like 100 bucks and there was no way I was going to buy it until I was amazed at what it recovered on my really really beat up drive. No regrets.[/quote]

I just checked, a trial is still available, thank you!

Reply January 24, 2015

bluebomber24

[quote=FallenGhost]Alright, thanks for the advice. If it doesn't work and I do lose my stuff, oh well. Can't cry over spilt milk, I should have backed everything up from time to time.[/quote]

Btw, if you are able to connect the drive to another computer, I believe Seagate File Recovery still has trial software, where you can like select an item and see if it can recover it. As long as its not too big, it will try and if successful recover it for free. The software cost like 100 bucks and there was no way I was going to buy it until I was amazed at what it recovered on my really really beat up drive. No regrets.