Sending a hard drive for repair

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  1. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #11

    vvl said:
    Lady Fitzgerald said:
    VistaKing said:
    ...Its highly possible that the repair shop won't be able to get data off it as well. You would have to take it to a place that specializes in removing things like that. In the states its like around 15k to do that cause they take the drive to a dust free room .
    It depends on what has to be done to get to the data. It can run from $200 to something obscene.
    I wouldn't mind deleting whatever is in the hard drive as long as those particular files are deleted
    If you don't mind losing all the data on the drive, you could try reformatting the drive to see if it is still usable or not. If it is still usable, then just keep it and use it. Keep in mind, the data is still there until overwritten and could be recovered until it's overwritten by either new data or by writing zeros over it. If it is not usable, take a big hammer to it, making sure the platters are destroyed. That way, even the FBI is unlikely to get at what's on it.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #12

    Hum just thought maybe if you get it onto the friends machine try this How to See if Your Hard Drive is Dying follow the Crystaldisk info.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
       #13

    Hi vvl; If & when you find out that your HD is toast & it is impossible to get it working..Also if you want to kill everything on it, I would suggest that a very strong magnet should insure everything is wiped clean before you trash it.."Just to be sure"(Aliens)..
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #14

    Troll Hunter said:
    Hi vvl; If & when you find out that your HD is toast & it is impossible to get it working..Also if you want to kill everything on it, I would suggest that a very strong magnet should insure everything is wiped clean before you trash it.."Just to be sure"(Aliens)..
    I would take a stonger magnet than most people have to ensure the data is wiped. Smashing it with a hammer is more effective (and fun?).
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
       #15

    LOL, I was gonna suggest a big rock..(same, but different)
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  6. Posts : 6,830
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit & Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
       #16

    Vvl,

    You could go that route of buying a new hard drive and installing Windows on it . You will know if the computer could see the drive cause you will about a boot screen showing that you have two versions of Windows 7 installed. Make sure the DESKTOP hard drive is the one you want to boot to . If your friend doesn't have an empty SATA port on his PC. You could purchase a SATA to USB adapter and that should work as well. But what about the drive you have files for. If your friend's computer sees the drive then you know its something in your laptop that went bad. Could be the Sata cable that is attached to the motherboard . But reinstalling an OS to a maybe faulty hard drive is not recommended and a waste of time.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #17

    vvl,

    If it turns out that the HDD is dead and not readable on your friends PC, then if you like, you could use the tutorial below to help reinstall and activate your Windows 7 on your laptop with a new HDD.

    Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
      My Computer


  8. vvl
    Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #18

    Thanks for the answers guys. Some were pretty hilarious.

    So I have decided to just get a replacement hard drive and DIY.

    I have a question though. Where do I get the drivers for the hardware? Or do they somehow stay in the computer even if I've replaced the hard drive?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #19

    vvl,

    You should be able to download them at you PC manufacturer's support download page for your specific model.

    If you like, post back with what brand and model your PC is, and we'll see if we may be able to find it's driver download page. :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,800
    Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
       #20

    I have successfully recovered a hard drive using the expensive ($89) Spinrite by Gibson Research. It worked wonders and was well worth the money spent.

    GRC | Hard drive data recovery software

    Rich
      My Computer


 
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