Windows 7: unexpected I/O error 0xc00000e9 Bitlockered HardDrive

Hi all,

I have a laptop running windows 7 professional 64 that gets an error message every time it tries to boot up. I am unable to run it in safe mode without this error happening. I know it is the hard drive that is the issue because it does the same thing in another computer. I ran diagnostics on the HD and got these results:

Quick Storage Device Test
Smart short self-test: Failed
Drive self test: Failed
Targeted read test: Failed
Result code: LHD01V016-WHD9PH



I have a windows 7 Recovery cd and I can't seem to get chkdsk /r to successfully run (It just sits there on 4 of 5). I need to get some data off of this hard drive and since it is encrpyted with bitlocker, when I plug this into another computer as usb, it doesn't even see it is there. I have the bitlocker encryption key and I was wondering if there is any way to extract data from this HD.

Hi,

If you boot into safe mode, can you copy the data to an external USB drive?

Regards,
Golden

When I try to boot into safe mode, the screen goes black and the unexpected I/O error 0xc00000e9 appears.

Mmm.OK. So, just to confirm, you cannot boot with this device at all? How did you run the HDD diagnostic?

Regards,
Golden

I booted to a Lenovo Diagnostics CD.

Ok. Well the drive does look buggered, so i think the chances are slim. I was going to suggest attempting a Linux recovery solution, but the disk is encrypted....

I found this article, but I'm not sure if its of any use:
How to use the BitLocker Repair Tool to help recover data from an encrypted volume in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008

I'll see if I can get some more experienced users to help with this thread.

Regards,
Golden

Usually that happens if the encryption of the system drive fails!!!

That is one of the best parts about bitlocker, it encrypts your data and is not recoverable even with the "specialist" hard data recovery programs. It is really secure and all the warnings tell you to make sure that you have backups of your critical information.

If the disk has serious trouble (as yours does) then the last resort that I can recommend is Steve Gibsons Spinrite program available at grc.com I was able to solve a crumped hard disk with it and it worked.. Not cheap but worth it, if it works.

Rich