How to read data from a faulty HDD

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  1. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 x86 Ultimate
       #1

    How to read data from a faulty HDD


    Hi,
    I have a WD400BD(40GB-1st image) HDD for my OS. Currently, this is the only hard drive in my PC that is connected.
    I also have a WD1600AAJS(160GB-2nd image) HDD witch is faulty. It is from my old PC and i really need to regain some important data. I tried to install Windows XP in order to run it separately, but the installation fails.

    It doesn't have bad sectors, but for some reason i can't boot up with both drives connected simultaneously. Windows 7 freezes @ the starting screen (3rd image) and stays like that until I restart.
    On my motherboard i have 4 SATA II ports- 40GB is connected to port #2 (#1 doesn't recognize it ).
    I also have 4 sata cables, and i tried replacing them (suspecting on a bad cable ) but nothing changes...

    Any type of help will be gladly appreciated!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to read data from a faulty HDD-wd400bd.jpg   How to read data from a faulty HDD-wd1600aajs.jpg   How to read data from a faulty HDD-windows7_beta_boot_screen.png  
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  2. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #2

    Is the "bad" drive detected in the BIOS?

    As the good drive is not detected in slot 1 suggests a problem on the motherboard or BIOS. Reinstall the ASUS provided Intel motherboard chipset drivers and see if that helps.

    Will Windows boot to Safe Mode with the "bad" drive connected? If you can get it booted to safe mode you can copy off what data you need, assuming the drive is not totally bad. However, as Windows will not boot with the drive connected suggests there is more wrong with the drive and you may not be able to recover the data.

    This is a good lesson on why backups to a separate media is needed - not for IF its ever needed but for WHEN its needed.
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  3. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #3

    As fireberd pointed out with the chipset driver, have you checked on the rest of your drivers to make sure that all are updated. Sometimes a BIOS update will help with these types of issues.
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  4. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 x86 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Tried what you guys said, but no result... I can't start safe mode.
    At first, BIOS recognized the 160 GB drive I exited it, and windows started loading (again only to the picture shown in my previous post). When i restarted and entered BIOS again, the 160 drive disapeard

    After i disconnected the 160 drive and booted up again, Windows demanded to start system repair (witch i did). Still no access to the files...

    ~Is there any possibility to save the drive and use it regularly, if we manage to repair it ?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to read data from a faulty HDD-photo0345.jpg   How to read data from a faulty HDD-photo0346.jpg   How to read data from a faulty HDD-photo0347.jpg   How to read data from a faulty HDD-photo0348.jpg   How to read data from a faulty HDD-photo0349.jpg  

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  5. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #5

    Does the faulty drive have a OS installed on it? As you stated in your original post that you tried to reinstall XP and it failed, which leads me to believe that with it being faulty and a bad install that it really messed up the drive.

    Will the bad drive boot up if its the only drive plug in?
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  6. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 x86 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I tried to boot from the bad HDD with win XP, but if failed. Now windows XP setup is running only with that drive connected, but it is going really slow half an hour for the 1st step of installation...
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to read data from a faulty HDD-photo0351.jpg  
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  7. Posts : 103
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
       #7

    Do you have a external HD case which you can insert it into, so that you can boot from your PC and then you can connect the drive afterwards. You can get one for about £15 from PC World
    Otherwise it is a visit to those HD Recovery professionals...
    e.g. http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk/
    Last edited by pjhutch; 26 Dec 2012 at 13:59. Reason: Updated HD enclosure and price
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  8. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 x86 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #8

    DAMN Installation failed!!! fore some reason, the computer restarted but it didn't continue the setup.... No message was displayed, nothing... seem like it's totally dead
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  9. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 x86 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #9

    pjhutch said:
    Do you have a external HD case which you can insert it into, so that you can boot from your PC and then you can connect the drive afterwards. You can get one for about £15 from PC World
    Otherwise it is a visit to those HD Recovery professionals...
    e.g. Fields Data Recovery - USB, RAID & Hard Disk Drive Repair and Data Recovery
    Don't have it, but I will either have to buy that or a new HDD and say good buy to the data...
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 x86 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Is there any other way to enter the disk data?


    As mentioned before, i tried to boot with safe mode, but to be honest, I didn' even get to the screen were you choose waether to start windows normaly or start safe mode even though i pressed F8 to enter the boot menu...

    Maybe i can try instaling Linux... any other suggestions ?

    P.s. I'm on my mobile so i can't do anything at the moment...
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