Hard disk fried

[wsl]

My computer hard disk collapsed resulting unrecognized hardware by the computer bios system. I suspect the unstable power voltage has fried it. Is there any one know how and where I can extract the data out of this hard disk?

[Firefly]

Did you not use a voltage regulator? :eek:

[blurrman]

hi wsl,

dunno which part of the HD is fried. but if you are really desperate to get the data back, u can try the following

1) get another same HD, exactly same HD, change the board and try.

other than that, say good bye to your data.

[SunwayKid]

Plug your hard disk into another CPU and see whether it can access. Another alternative is to use a software recovery tool. A last resort, if the data is really valuable is to send it to the professionals who can retrieve it - this however, is costly.

[kwchang]

As he said, the disk is fired ... computer does not recognise the device. When that happens, the harddisk is an alien to the machine so forget about recovery tools.

As for getting a similar harddisk and swaping controller boards? What? Unless you are into electronics, don't even try ... you'd end up with 2 dead disks.

As sunwaykid said, recovery of data from a dead disk is very expensive. Generally, if it is not a matter of life and death, I'd forget it. Start anew and hope to remember to back up next time. HeheHehheh, I am guilty of not having backups as well. :D

[wsl]

Thanks guys for the advise. Yes I did use the voltage regulator but the unstable voltage went beyond the AVR range.

Take this as an expensive lesson. :( :( :(

[Firefly]

Firefly sometimes think them AVR are actually a scam. Since most of the time they don't work as compared to a UPS. Firefly have fried many a PC to say that.

[CCY]

Thanks guys for the advise. Yes I did use the voltage regulator but the unstable voltage went beyond the AVR range.

Take this as an expensive lesson. :( :( :(

....or your AVR is unstable n fried the psu.

I have 3 instances of psu fried by lightning but none of the other components died other than the psu. If your other components n IDE interface are ok that means it is not what you have describe. It is the fault in the hdd n it's too bad you haven't back up the data...have you??

[CCY]

Firefly sometimes think them AVR are actually a scam. Since most of the time they don't work as compared to a UPS. Firefly have fried many a PC to say that.

Take note that some AVR uses relays to switch the transformer in-out ratio to compensate out of standard voltage level. It may not respond instantaneously to deviation n may take seconds to respond. It is more for those places where the tnb voltage is something like 200vac in the day n 250vac at night.

[edwardyap]

Go to Sunway Pyramid IT Centre. Look for Conquest Computer Centre and ask for Ben. He got all my data out at no extra cost...just had to buy a new hard disk from him and slot it back in.
According to him, most data from fried, damaged or even fire burned hard disk can still be recovered. Even deleted data.
Negotiate first and if neccesary, just tell him you are a friend of Edward and Jeremy.

[bslee]

According to him, most data from fried, damaged or even fire burned hard disk can still be recovered. Even deleted data.
Negotiate first and if neccesary, just tell him you are a friend of Edward and Jeremy.


Their method is only possible IF:
1. The hard drive PCB (aka HDD motherboard) is fried or defective BUT still mechanically intact. Its possible to swap with a pcb from an exact HDD model
and thereon to extract whatever data.

Its NOT possible to extract data IF:
1. A working pcb for that model of HDD is not available.
2. The HDD platter and head assembly is mechanically defective or crashed.

Some shops have do keep a load of these boards (from disposed or obsolete hdd's) for purpose of data recovery. A healthy profit can be gotten from the service if the attempt is successful.