Recovering Data from Harddrive with Bad Sectors

ShortForeskin

Ok so I have a Maxtor 300gig harddrive that has somehow become damaged. When I go to recover files using "Get Data Back for NTFS" it will give me a message saying "Bad sector blah, do you wish to continue?" If i click yes then the computer will shut down shortly thereafter. This happens whether I'm just trying to scan the disk, recover the files directly from the disk, and create an image of the disk.

I'm using Windows XP Pro

Any ideas on how to get my files back? Thanks for your input.

Will

nexuscrawler

do you have another computer?

ShortForeskin

I have access to a laptop with Windows 7 yes.

nexuscrawler

If you can try hookin up the bad hd to another machine and see if you can access it

ShortForeskin

I've brought the HD into Computer Repair stores and the problem persists. When I try to acces the HD, the computer will chug along for a bit and maybe open it up, I cannot open any files on the HD though, I can just see my folders "Videos, Pictures, Games, etc" This happens on any computer.

The computer will only shut down when it's running a scan of the HD, trying to straight up recover the files, or creating an image of the disk.

nexuscrawler

if you bott off another machine try running the windows recovery console and doing a manual chkdsk from there

ShortForeskin

It's a SATA disk, and is just a storage device, windows is not installed on it. As such I don't think I can hook it up to the laptop.

RBach

Might give something like Spinrite a shot. Definitely try chkdsk first, though.

ShortForeskin

Ok so I'm trying to start a chkdsk and at the first prompt of CMD i see:

C:\Documents and Settings\Will>

I type:

C:\Documents and Settings\Will> e:

To access my messed up drive. This message appears:

C:\Documents and Settings\Will> e:
Data error <cyclic redundancy check>.

Whenever my computer boots up it attempts to run a chkdsk for the drive to "Check for Consistency." This takes hours and results in failure haha. I forget the message it gives me but the computer will generally restart.

I'll try Spinrite in the meantime.

Burned a bootable iso of Spinrite, set up my BIOS boot sequence. During start up the computer will say "Boot from CD..." And then it automatically says "Starting CalderaDOS" but will then promptly restart. So spinrite isn't working.

For some humour, during this process my computer has installed a nonexistent floppy drive, and an additional (nonexistent) CD Drive.

I might just bring the harddrive into the shop...but damn that's like saying it's defeated me

ShortForeskin

I emailed Runtime's (Get Data Back) tech help and told them about my problem. They said I have major physical damage on my drive. I'm going to try Spinrite again tonight but I have doubts of it working...

ben0207

Try Recuva

ShortForeskin

I've already tried Recuva, most software based recovery programs will crash because of the physical damage to the hard drive.

shadydentist

On your other computer, download and burn a Ubuntu CD. Then boot off of that, and see what you can recover.

RBach

If there's truly physical damage then I doubt you'll have much luck whatever you try. Give Spinrite another shot. If it can't help nothing will.

ShortForeskin

Yeah I'm going to try Spinrite on my USB, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for your help guys, I really need to start backing my stuff up...

TychoCelchuuu

You can also run ViVARD on it from Hiren's Boot CD or Ultimate Boot CD. That has let me access many drives that were otherwise dead.

RBach

Hmm. Never heard of VIVARD. Will have to look into that...