Hard Drive Failure Windows 7 won't boot up

[Bladders]

....Hi please please can someone help. Can't access any files. Need it urgently as it has all my uni stuff and need it to submit before deadline. In tears please help.

 

[Morph666]

If it's a full on harddrive failure, then you're fu..dged. Are you sure it's a harddrive failure? Does it say anything on screen? Does it make any sounds? (if so be very specific about what kind)

 

[Bladders]

There is no sound only picture (blue) aparently we've run diagostics from the laptops memory (F8) and it says hard drive failure.
- I want my work - to save it otherwise I've lost 3 weeks work
Aaaargh

 

[Morph666]

I see in your specs that it's a Dell, is it still under waranty? If not they can probably still help but it'll probably cost you. Dell might be able to recover the data. And they can put a new harddrive in there.

 

[Colonel Travis]

Ugh. Been in your shoes.

Find a 2nd computer, remove your drive and hook it up to that machine. You might be able to copy files. If you're hearing the dreaded clickety-clack, you might be screwed, you might not. I was able to salvage files when my laptop drive died, and it was making the sounds of death.

I was lucky - used Easeus Data Recovery, which is free. Didn't get everything but there's other free software out there you can try, plus others for a relatively nominal price.

 

[Colonel Travis]

One more thing, not to scold you, but backup your stuff. The crash I mentioned was my second one. The first time I lost valuable stuff. I cannot believe how much of an idiot I was by not backing up data as much as I should have. Now I'm almost paranoid about backing up data - got it in three different places now.

 

[Bladders]

any chance of trying anything with a sealed hard drive? I see many can be taken out but this one - oh no!!!! Feel conned as I paid alot so that te drive would last for more than 3 years, it's not even been a year.

Thanks Morph666 - yep but I don't think they'll bother with recovering my data assignments, they'll just say they tried and not bother. Please sugest anything...I JUST WANT MY fxxhing WORK before I have a conary.

 

[Colonel Travis]

You don't have to take the drive apart, just get cables, or an adapter if you're connecting to a desktop. Try the software first.

 

[Bladders]

Sorry, I mean the drive appears to be sealed within the laptop shell/case. There's no obvious cover or hatch from which to remove the drive. Please would you suggest an alternative? Can it be done by connecting via the USB or similar? Some kind of cable to hook it up to the desk top?

 

[Morph666]

any chance of trying anything with a sealed hard drive? I see many can be taken out but this one - oh no!!!! Feel conned as I paid alot so that te drive would last for more than 3 years, it's not even been a year.

No matter how much you pay, nobody can ever guarantee any pc hardware will last for more than 3 years.

Thanks Morph666 - yep but I don't think they'll bother with recovering my data assignments, they'll just say they tried and not bother. Please sugest anything...I JUST WANT MY fxxhing WORK before I have a conary.

Absolutely no guarantee it'll work but; got another pc nearby and a usb stick with nothing on it? Download an operating system called Slax, you can download a version that'll run from a usb stick. (It's free and easy to install don't worry about that) You might be able to access (parts of) the drive through Slax. It's worth a try I guess.

 

[sandman]

You might want to try booting to a linux distro like Lucid Puppy which runs in memory and see if you can get your info off the harddrive its a chance i would take. I used it once to recovery data when I was unable to boot to hard drive not a possible failure.

 

[Bladders]

Thanks guys. Can't do anything @ present as have to re do all my assignment for submission. Will let you know after a day or two.
Later Dudes - Wish me luck !:shock: