Recover Data from Disk that is unknown and not initialized

[Harry]

I am trying to recover data from laptop internal HDD use as an external hard drive to recover data from that HDD. I can't see my HDD in my computer but in DISK Managemnet, there is a message, "Disk 1 Unknown Not Initizalized"

Please Help!!

Thanks,

 

[MilesAhead]

If the data is critical, and it sounds like it is.. the first thing I would do is use a software that makes a sector by sector backup or image of that uninitialized drive. That way if trying to make it readable by initializing it should hose it, you have a copy.

After that, if you know that the unititialized drive was at one time formatted NTFS then you might try initializing it with Partition Wizard freeware

But it may be worthwhile to talk to someone well versed in disk recovery. There may even be some dedicated forums around for that specialty.

If you get lucky and the Partition Wizard initialization shortcut works, then the files should be there after doing a non-destructive format as NTFS file system.

Assuming that's what it was to begin with.

 

[whs]

You could also try a Linux distro. Very often, Linux is more cooperative than Windows. Here is one option:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

 

[jumanji]

In another thread on the same topic - I can't find it now - , you had mentioned that you had replaced the PCB and the hard drive started spinning. I presume that you replaced the PCB in the hard drive.( From what I have read, you should get an exact match with the same firmware as was in the original board. I do not know how you had ensured it.)

Now you have put the hard drive in an external enclosure introducing another interface electronics of the enclosure.

Instead I would think that you should put the hard drive as a second drive on a working desktop and do whatever has been suggested or going to be suggested.