Problem with HDD

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Arroryn, Jul 9, 2007.

  1. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

    4,015
    193
    209
    I have a Dell GX320 and its hard drive has just gone up the swanny. I need a bit of help!

    It's an 80GB hard drive on an XP Pro machine, fully patched and updated (until it went *splat* last week).

    It has 1 x FAT partition containing Dell diagnostic utils, and 3 x NTFS partitions, as part of our standard build.

    The PC wouldn't boot at all; it couldn't detect a SATA drive. I switched SATA cables. The PC went to the XP splash screen, but wouldn't go in to Windows; instead, it went back to POST, and decided it couldn't see the hard drive again.

    Tried in a different PC; same thing.

    I booted it with a remote recover disk. It's showing as 80GB of unallocated space, so the NTFS partitions have completely disappeared. I have an option to 'initialise' the disc, but I don't know if this will wipe it. As I want to try to do data recovery on it, I don't really want to press that button quite yet.

    So, the help I need from you guys, is to recover the data - keeping in mind that as far as I can see, the HDD has no recognisable file format, so I don't know if master/slave configuration will work.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  2. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    Does your remote recovery boot disk recognize NTFS? Sounds like it might not. I'd recommend slaving it to an NTFS-capable box to see what you can see on it.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  3. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

    4,015
    193
    209
    It does; I left out a smidge of detail, methinks.

    I'm not completely sure how it's linked, I will be honest.

    I booted the Dell that's iffy using the remote recover disk; we have a machine that's on the network. It's sole purpose is to monitor servers, and notice when this remote console is activated.

    When I opened up the remote recover console, it recongised the 8.4GB NTFS volume of the machine it's installed on; it couldn't see the file format of the HDD I'm trying to recover.

    Using that as an example, it should be able to pick up NTFS volumes without an issue.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  4. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    Depends... it's possible that your recovery disk may not see the partition if it's a dynamic disk partition... just a thought. I'd still recommend slaving it up and see what you can see.

    This is another instance where one of those USB-to-disk adapters comes in insanely handy.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  5. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

    4,015
    193
    209
    I started raising a purchase order for one later on today, after I had woken up from banging my head against the desk.
    I think I'll shove it under my manager's nose and get one from Maplins. Maybe it will act better as a 'removable storage device' as opposed to a master/slave configuration.

    And all this to avoid calling the Dell Delhi help(less)line. Ah well :rolleyes:

    Thanks for your help, BM. Much appreciated. Here. Have a pat on the back. *pats*
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  6. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    Stop that... I'm a married man! :oops:

    Glad to be of assistance.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  7. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

    4,015
    193
    209
    Just to let you know, we sent it back to Dell :oops:
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  8. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    Did you manage to recover any of the data?
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  9. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

    4,015
    193
    209
    My line manager said not to attempt to; after speaking to the owner of said hard drive, it wasn't deemed 'cost effective' to pursue recovery. Instead, we're ensuring it will never be accessed again.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  10. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    Sledgehammer? High-powered electro-magnet? Steamroller? :twisted:
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  11. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

    4,015
    193
    209
    Locked cupboard? :rolleyes: lol
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  12. Tinus1959

    Tinus1959 Gigabyte Poster

    1,539
    42
    106
    Saw this a bit late I fear. When a disk goes mad, it helps sometime to lay it on ice for a few hours. Just wrap it in a towel, put the package in a plastic bag and lay it in the freezer for a night.
    Most of the time you might be able to see it long enough to recover the data and make a backup.
     
    Certifications: See my signature
    WIP: MCSD, MCAD, CCNA, CCNP
  13. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    My methods seem much more satisfying. :build

    I don't there will be a lot of cheering and high-fiving going on when you shut that cupboard door.
    (Shut that door! Shut that door! Shut that door! WOOHOOOOOO! ALL RIGHT!!!! :cheers :alc :rocks :clap :yep )
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  14. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

    4,015
    193
    209
    LMAO! What, Chariots of Fire stylie first? Slow-mo door shut, combined with a slow-mo gasp of horror as I realise I'm shutting someone's hand in the door?

    You're unreal BM :p
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  15. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    ...your own. :ohmy YOW!!!

    I'll take that as a compliment. 8)
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  16. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

    6,281
    85
    174
    Arro,

    Next time you need to recover data, give Spinrite a try. It has recovered two drives for me.

    Si
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.