|
|
Help!!!!!!!!!!
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Help!!!!!!!!!! // Archive: Tech Forum
Post by 2much4U // Dec 12, 2006, 3:31pm
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
I know that this does'nt have much to do with TS, but my HDD failed!!!
FAILED!!!
It was fine this morning, perfectly fine...but once I got home from
school, (I'm 15) it was making SCREETCHING NOISES!
I'm serious! It sounded like nails on a chalk board...but worse!!!
Now, my HDD has stopped working entirely, and all my files (animations, TS scenes, object files, programs, EVERYTHING!!!) are inaccessible, and what's worse, I DID'NT HAVE A BACKUP!!!!!!!!!!
If anyone here knows of any way to fix this, PLEASE HELP!!! |
Post by Steinie // Dec 12, 2006, 3:49pm
|
Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
|
First off how are you sending this message if your hd failed?
If your using the same computer then your second hd failed and not your main.
Did you install your programs on your second HD?
Screeching is usually heads against the plates or bad bearing. Neither are good.
I've witnessed many computers doing this and I haven't seen one make it yet. There are services out there that try to save your data but for me it was never worth it. A lot of money. Hopefully it turns out to be something else.
p.s. One time I even put the HD in the freezer and then tried to start it up. It worked for about 10 seconds then kapuut.
Ironically W!zard and I were talking about backups just the other day here... |
Post by daybe // Dec 12, 2006, 4:04pm
|
daybe
Total Posts: 562
|
I have of the hard drive in the freezer trick. Sounds like it failed alright, I had a similar thing happen to a work computer, everything was saved to a network so we didn't worrry about any files.
I don't know what else you can do really, perhaps you could find a old hard drive kicking around somewhere and try and put your disk from the one that failed into another housing, never done it so don't even know if it's possible.
Never a good thing but it happens.:( |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 12, 2006, 4:12pm
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
Not sure where you live, but hard drive recovery specialists do an excellent job these days. Sometimes they can recover data from a fire if it's not melted. :)
I would look under data recovery or search the net for a local vendor specialist. May cost a bit, but it may well be worth it to get your data back. |
Post by Steinie // Dec 12, 2006, 4:18pm
|
Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
|
More information for you:
http://www.filerecovery.org/headcrashes.html |
Post by behzad // Dec 12, 2006, 4:42pm
|
behzad
Total Posts: 173
|
I DID'NT HAVE A BACKUP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear that, I use the following free backup program. It backs up all my files onto a DVD every night so incase of your hardrive crashing you will still have your files on a DVD or CD.
http://www.cobian.se/ |
Post by Alien // Dec 12, 2006, 9:29pm
|
Alien
Total Posts: 1231
|
I don't know what else you can do really, perhaps you could find a old hard drive kicking around somewhere and try and put your disk from the one that failed into another housing, never done it so don't even know if it's possible.
Is it possible? Yes, if he can find a spare HDD that is not just the same make & model, but from the same batch, & that's with swapping the controller cards from 1 drive to another when the card's dead. Swapping actual disc platters? Again, it's possible, but... it's very tricky to do .
2much4U: Unless you had some absolutely vital data [& I don't mean MP3s, or those pics of Britney "accidentally" giving the papparazzi an eyefull ;)] & can't afford to pay someone to try & rescue your data for you, then it's not even worth trying to do it yourself. Especially, as Steinie says - from the fact that you said it was making a screeching noise, chances are it's FUBAR. It [i]could just be the bearings, but even in that case you'd still need a pro to do it. I'd say just chalk it up to experience. |
Post by Tiles // Dec 12, 2006, 10:46pm
|
Tiles
Total Posts: 1037
|
Sorry to hear that. Again somebody learned it the hard way. A HDD can die in every moment. That's why backups are this essential. That's the way it is.
When it's really a head crash chances are small. Nothing to recover when the surface is destroyed. But even when not, giving your HDD to recovery experts is a very expensive thing. I would think twice if you want to do that.
For the future i would suggest to buy an external USB HDD. Not this expensive anymore. And makes backups quick and easy. Just create a folder where you throw in everything you want to backup. And once per week (or when something important is to backup) transfer it to the USB HDD. Don't delete the content from your primary HDD. In this way you have the double data set. Chances are small that both HDD dies at the same time. Plus burn important things to CD or DVD every now and then. Then you are at the save side. Well, somehow ... :D |
Post by 2much4U // Dec 13, 2006, 1:41am
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
How are you sending this message if your hd failed?
The computer that is having these problems is located in my bed room, and from there, I don't have access to the internet. In order to do so, I usually bring my laptop over to the cable modem, or I just use my parents computer. (right now, I'm on my laptop)
One time I even put the HD in the freezer...
I don't think I want to try that...if I do, it'll be a last resort.
I would look under data recovery or search the net for a local vendor specialist. May cost a bit, but it may well be worth it to get your data back.
I'm not going to pay $1500.00 for it, no matter how bad this is.
Unless you had some absolutely vital data [& I don't mean MP3s, or those pics of Britney "accidentally" giving the papparazzi an eyefull ] & can't afford to pay someone to try & rescue your data for you, then it's not even worth trying to do it yourself.
I'll do everything possible that does'nt involve highly expensive services. |
Post by 2much4U // Dec 13, 2006, 1:46am
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
As it turns out, after I left the PC off for about 3 hours, it actually booted up. But those grinding noises are still occuring, and the computer has even begun making clicking noisesas well.
My current plan is to copy the partition from the HDD to an external, before it stops working.
Is this a good idea? |
Post by Steinie // Dec 13, 2006, 2:12am
|
Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
|
Do not use your computer again until your ready to make a backup!!! This drive is failing and you just might have enough time to save your DATA. Don't worry about your programs until the end. Hopefully you'll have enough time to do it all.
Don't put it off if you want to save it. Believe me you won't get a second chance.
Your plan is a good one if you have enough time. I would try to save the most important things on it first. |
Post by Tiles // Dec 13, 2006, 2:14am
|
Tiles
Total Posts: 1037
|
You say you have a laptop besides your main PC. Why not transfer the very important stuff to it first? Everything transferred is rescued for now then. Who knows if the HDD will boot up again ... |
Post by prodigy // Dec 13, 2006, 3:07am
|
prodigy
Total Posts: 3029
|
Hi.. my opinion:
First i broken 2 hd... and i lear a lot about hd fails..
If the Hard Disk make NOISE?!?!? LIKE SCRATCHES or something like this.. its because the plates of the HD or the head its broken... You cannot fix that.. are some companies with 1/100 rooms (1 sparke of dust per 100 qubic meters of air) sorry my english jejeje
and they can get your hd plates and recovery putting in other compatible..
2) if your harddisk stop working and you cannot get start again..
This problem its 80% the logic board.. The logic board its the board on the bottom side of any hard disk.. if this board blow anything your hard disk never gonna up again... and the way to fix that.. its buy the same hard disk.. with the same logic and remplace...
How remplace a logic, with very carefull but its very simple.. only extract the screws and pull up the logic, and remplace... WITH CAREFULL jejeje
Thats the point...
Try to start your pc, and go to the bios and look if your harddisk its recognized by the bios.. and that is a good start...
But if are the plates... mmmm the only way is pay to a company to bring your files to life...
Recovery programs only works if you format the partition, or you delet, or you erase the init boot sectors.. but nothing more like that.
Good luck.. and hope you find the way to backup your files.. |
Post by prodigy // Dec 13, 2006, 3:17am
|
prodigy
Total Posts: 3029
|
As it turns out, after I left the PC off for about 3 hours, it actually booted up. But those grinding noises are still occuring, and the computer has even begun making clicking noisesas well.
My current plan is to copy the partition from the HDD to an external, before it stops working.
Is this a good idea?
First install your hard disk over other pc.. at slave, and that is how you must copy your files.. dont try to boot with your "broken" hd its very dangerous and you my broken other sectors of the hard disk.. and yes.. dont start your hd untill you are ready to backup does files..
Best Regards.. |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 13, 2006, 5:22am
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
I'm not going to pay $1500.00 for it, no matter how bad this is.
I'll do everything possible that does'nt involve highly expensive services.
Unless your hard drive is extremely large or extremely damaged, it won't be any where near that cost.
Most recoveries are $100 and up, with an high end of $500 when it concerns special recovery of data utilizing very special procedures. |
Post by RichLevy // Dec 13, 2006, 5:41am
|
RichLevy
Total Posts: 1140
|
I looked into this last summer when I lost one of my external firewire backup drives. I keep 2 drives on top of my system that I use to offload data files to (photos, videos, movies, animations, 3d models, textures...) when one of the drives fills I than put it in a closet for safe keeping and future backup. I dropped a drive with 3-5 years of work on it, stuff that I g=had been doing over the last years, stuff that showed the progress of what I was doing and had done...
lost in one drop...
100-500 is typical to look at a drive and recover data, these are the easy ones
1000-2500 tend to be the more extreme examples where the data needs to be pulled off magnetic bit by bit and than reassembled...
move on, don't look back, we've all done it, lived thru it, and are now getting ready to do it again :D
best of luck to you
Rich |
Post by 2much4U // Dec 13, 2006, 12:20pm
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
Do not use your computer again until your ready to make a backup!!! This drive is failing and you just might have enough time to save your DATA. Don't worry about your programs until the end. Hopefully you'll have enough time to do it all.
Don't put it off if you want to save it. Believe me you won't get a second chance.
Your plan is a good one if you have enough time. I would try to save the most important things on it first.
I'm going to try it, but I have a problem: the power cord to my external HDD is missing. It's a "12V DC" power adapter. Is there anywhere I can purchase one? |
Post by Steinie // Dec 13, 2006, 12:51pm
|
Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
|
Any Computer Store, Radio Shack, Circuit City, Best Buy etc. their common connections. You might already know this but handle the HD by the sides and keep grounding yourself on your computer chassis. There is a circuit board under the HD you do not want to shock. That's why you buy them in anti static bags. Good luck.
edit: thanks Footee I missed two:) |
Post by frootee // Dec 13, 2006, 12:55pm
|
frootee
Total Posts: 2667
|
radio shack.
best buy.
circuit city.
target.
compusa.
You may want to take the external drive with you, so you can make sure the power cord fits.
Good luck. Losing a hard drive always sucks to no end. |
Post by 2much4U // Dec 13, 2006, 1:21pm
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
I went to Radioshack, and they suggested that I get one of their "Adaptaplugs."
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062437&cp=2032056.2032136.2032154&pg=1&searchSort=TRUE&y=4&x=11&s=A-StorePrice-RSK&parentPage=family
The only problem is that I don't know what size I need. |
Post by 2much4U // Dec 13, 2006, 3:50pm
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
All right, I'm all set with the external HDD. Now all I need to do is be ready for when I boot up my computer. |
Post by Alien // Dec 13, 2006, 4:09pm
|
Alien
Total Posts: 1231
|
As it turns out, after I left the PC off for about 3 hours, it actually booted up. But those grinding noises are still occuring, and the computer has even begun making clicking noisesas well.
From what you describe, I think it's likely that the fault is the bearings. On the 1 hand [if it is the bearings], it may mean the data is physically intact. On the other hand, it's impossible to predict how long between when you begin to hear noises & it seizing up completely. Get the data you need [e.g. not any progs you have CDs for, or can re-download, like tS] off that HDD A.S.A.P.!
As for that clicking, that's a sort of recalibration thing the drive does with it's heads. It means the drive knows it's having problems & is doing its best to compensate for them.
Do not use your computer again until your ready to make a backup!!! This drive is failing and you just might have enough time to save your DATA. Don't worry about your programs until the end. Hopefully you'll have enough time to do it all.
I agree about the programs. If I'm right about it being the bearings, he shouldn't leave it too long before doing the backup either. Whilst on & spinning, that's extra wear & tear on the bearings, however if he leaves it off for too long they may just seize up anyway, in which case the drive won't even spin-up, nevermind let him get his data off it.
Don't put it off if you want to save it. Believe me you won't get a second chance.
Your plan is a good one if you have enough time. I would try to save the most important things on it first.
Yeah, when my Maxtor died I only just got all my data off it in time.
You say you have a laptop besides your main PC. Why not transfer the very important stuff to it first? Everything transferred is rescued for now then. Who knows if the HDD will boot up again ...
Very good point. It shouldn't matter where he copies the data to, even if [due to lack of sufficient space all in 1 place] he has to split it between his laptop & his parents' machine.
If the Hard Disk make NOISE?!?!? LIKE SCRATCHES or something like this.. its because the plates of the HD or the head its broken... You cannot fix that.. are some companies with 1/100 rooms (1 sparke of dust per 100 qubic meters of air) sorry my english jejeje
Not always, as I said, it could be the bearings.
2) if your harddisk stop working and you cannot get start again..
This problem its 80% the logic board.. The logic board its the board on the bottom side of any hard disk.. if this board blow anything your hard disk never gonna up again... and the way to fix that.. its buy the same hard disk.. with the same logic and remplace...
Needs to be from the exact same batch, with identical firmware version as well.
In his case, given the noise, I strongly doubt it's the circuit board.
How remplace a logic, with very carefull but its very simple.. only extract the screws and pull up the logic, and remplace... WITH CAREFULL jejeje
1. Given the symptoms, it's unlikely that it's the logic board
2. Like I said, the board needs to be from the same manufacturing batch. I'd lay good odds that he won't be able to buy a drive from the exact same batch. The manufacturer probably keeps spares for doing repair operations [or they'd be able to put the correct firmware on a spare board from same model but different batch], & data retrieval companies tend to keep spares from drives where the fault was something other than the board [e.g. bearings, motor, or head-crash].
Try to start your pc, and go to the bios and look if your harddisk its recognized by the bios.. and that is a good start...
I'll agree on this point. What you should hope not to see is where the HDD make/model would normally be listed instead you get a bunch of random characters.
When that happens it's 1 of 3 things:
1. IDE cable is either knackered or a bit loose.
2. HDD circuit board is either dead or dying.
3. possibly a motherboard fault, but this is unlikely.
Recovery programs only works if you format the partition, or you delet, or you erase the init boot sectors.. but nothing more like that.
Not true, you can get recovery software, which will allow you to recover data from a partially damaged HDD, depending on cause & severity of damage of course.
I dropped a drive with 3-5 years of work on it, stuff that I g=had been doing over the last years, stuff that showed the progress of what I was doing and had done...
lost in one drop...
From how high did you drop it? I had [still have, but haven't used it in years] a 286 laptop that I got 2nd-hand. The handle of the bag I was carring it in broke & it fell about 2 feet onto solid concrete. Luckily, all I ended up with was about 2MB of bad sectors, though it was only a 20MB drive to start with. :)
I'm going to try it, but I have a problem: the power cord to my external HDD is missing. It's a "12V DC" power adapter. Is there anywhere I can purchase one?
Things to keep in mind:
1. check on the casing of the external HDD to see what current it requires. If it wants [for example] 1A, but you get a power supply/adapter that can only manage 500mA, it won't work.
2. Polarity is important. Somewhere on the external drive there'll be a little symbol/diagram that shows how the connector is wired up - either positive in the centre & negative on the outside, or vice-versa. Either way, the polarity of the supply/adapter must match that of the external HDD. Some only do 1 way, others have a switch so they can do whichever you need. |
Post by 2much4U // Dec 13, 2006, 6:16pm
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
If possible, I want to copy the entire partition to the external HDD, so that, until I purchase a new internal HDD, I can boot up from it. |
Post by hemulin // Dec 13, 2006, 9:58pm
|
hemulin
Total Posts: 1058
|
If possible, I want to copy the entire partition to the external HDD, so that, until I purchase a new internal HDD, I can boot up from it.
Personally I dont think its worth the bother. I would just do a fresh install on the new drive. |
Post by Tiles // Dec 13, 2006, 10:13pm
|
Tiles
Total Posts: 1037
|
Yup. When it's XP install from scratch. I remember an article that described how to move partition C: to another HDD and resetup it as the primary partition. So nothing impossible. But this article was several pages long. Including registry hacks, bios tweakings and lots of tricks and workarounds to get XP back working. And no guarantee that it runs smooth then. Too much footangles here. Makes too much hassle and may take longer than a fresh install.
Fresh install is the best way anyway. In this way you have a clean system. Windows collects lots of trash over the months which slows down your system :) |
Post by 2much4U // Dec 14, 2006, 3:49am
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
Well, I'm stuck then, because I no longer own an XP install disc. |
Post by Matski007 // Dec 14, 2006, 11:26am
|
Matski007
Total Posts: 539
|
lol either the world is against you, or you aint thinking hard enough, use ur noodle man! if you owned a legit version of windows, look on their website and you can pay a small amount to get a replacement disc if of course you have your legit serial number etc (located on a sticker you might have put on your computer somewhere) or some kind of certificate. This depends where you got your pc. Otherwise there are other ways of getting hold of an operating system, however that comes with many problems and also I am not willing to explain how on this forum because it is neither the place or legal to tell you lol. |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 14, 2006, 11:57am
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
I picked some old Dell Windows XP SP1 for my other computers. They were on sale and as I recall $80.00 each. This is much cheaper than the shrinkwrapped version and it is perfectly legal. Lot of retailers have them online.
The only drawback is that Microsoft does not provide support for the disc as it was up to the original manufacturer, in this case Dell.
You can get all the updates, etc. and be back in business in no time. |
Post by 2much4U // Jan 5, 2007, 2:06pm
|
2much4U
Total Posts: 430
|
I'm back up and running, with a new HDD inside my PC. This Problem is solved, and I'm just about happy. |
Post by rj0 // Jan 5, 2007, 6:26pm
|
rj0
Total Posts: 167
|
First install your hard disk over other pc.. at slave, and that is how you must copy your files.. dont try to boot with your "broken" hd its very dangerous and you my broken other sectors of the hard disk.. and yes.. dont start your hd untill you are ready to backup does files..
Best Regards..
I went through 3 hard drives on my laptop last year (under extended warranty, Toshiba provided 'reconditioned' drives the first 2 times, and those didn't last), and I came to similar conclusions. Before the drive completely dies, install it as a slave drive (in my instance, I bought an external USB drive enclosure, for less than $20, and stuck it in there), then (using a different PC, or in my case, I bought a 'spare' drive and set up the same OS on it) grab files off of the dieing drive as quickly as possible. (For me, that allowed me to salvage what I needed.) Definitely don't boot off a dieing drive, and don't spin it up until you're ready to pull files off of it!
rj |
|
