HDD failure.

[DeathtoGnomes]

My 2TB drive failed slowly, it started with latest windows updates, files became slow, so tried to uninstall updates got BSOD and eventually was forced to reinstall windows.

First there was an issue with files slowly loading, next was desktop slideshow blank screen, which came with not being able to access anything in any folder while being able too access top level files and shortcuts. Rebooted into the BIOS, found the drive was missing, shut down and swapped cables and power ( swapped with DVD drive which is fine so left them swapped ) and tried different Sata ports. I started to cry at the loss so sentimental pics , booted into command prompt, used bootrec /ScanOs which showed nothing. Returned to windows and open disk management, it sees the drive and prompts to initiate drive, MBR and GPT, response was <i forget exactly> about no drive there. Also, it show up in device manager and properties show as device working "properly".

Are there anymore options open?

I dont have another system to try.

After all this, I am convinced its not a mother or PSU issue.

 

[Jetster]

Well if you didn't have back up and you want that data stop messing with it. Contact a professional data recovery tech

The first thing you should have done is run a smart check then took it off line if it failed. Windows didn't give you any warnings?

Returned to windows and open disk management, it sees the drive and prompts to initiate drive, MBR and GPT,

That's not a good sign

 

[pavle]

You could try using Spinrite software from grc.com, or Minitool's Data recovery or other similar programs if the drive can still be recognised by BIOS and the OS for the second option.

 

[outpt]

Was it making any loud clicking or grinding noises? Can you feel the drive running? The drive buffer may have died. If the data means a lot to you get professional help if there’s any hope.

 

[R-T-B]

You could try using Spinrite software from grc.com, or Minitool's Data recovery or other similar programs if the drive can still be recognised by BIOS and the OS for the second option.

At this point, running the drive in a damaged state is equally likely to ruin it further.

So if they are worthy of pro recovery services, do weigh that first.

 

[pavle]

At this point, running the drive in a damaged state is equally likely to ruin it further.

So if they are worthy of pro recovery services, do weigh that first.

You're right, pro recovery services is the only sure way to get the data.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Looking into recovery services, will update later.

 

[qubit]

Always have up to date backups of all your important data to cover situations like this. Karen's Replicator is a great, free, backup tool, although there are many other ways to back up, too.

Also, +1 to what @Jetster said in post 2.

Hope you get your data back.

 

[R-T-B]

Looking into recovery services, will update later.

They are expensive but if the data is worth it, they may be your best bet. Good luck man.

For future reference, having a tray tool to monitor SMART status may prevent things like this (may, it's never certain of course, so always backup). I can only say good things about Hard Disk Sentinel if you want to go that route.

 

[Jetster]

Windows has a built in Hard drive monitoring. It will give you a desktop warning and encourage you to back up important data if it detects problem. Unless you disable it

 

[Jacky_BEL]

I have a HDD that failed not to long ago.
I have a hunch it might have something to do with upcoming windows 11.
On my HDD I saw a lot of activity with "compressed" or something similar in the filename, although I have filecompression off. I saw responsetimes of +7000 ms from the HDD?
This is only guessing from my part based on previous conduct by MS , MS is silently making room and shoving a windows 11 update assistant of some sort , or even a full installer maybe , to give a "great user-experience".
Now this was on a HDD partition I had provisioned , so I could manually increase it's size whenever I would feel it needed more space .

 

[R-T-B]

Windows has a built in Hard drive monitoring. It will give you a desktop warning and encourage you to back up important data if it detects problem. Unless you disable it

It won't give you a warning until something falls below a critical condition in SMART. I prefer to know the moment bad sectors start to crop up, gives me more time to act.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

They are expensive but if the data is worth it, they may be your best bet. Good luck man.

For future reference, having a tray tool to monitor SMART status may prevent things like this (may, it's never certain of course, so always backup). I can only say good things about Hard Disk Sentinel if you want to go that route.

This HDD has been thru a lot, SMART status never popped up even after new installs of win10.

Windows has a built in Hard drive monitoring. It will give you a desktop warning and encourage you to back up important data if it detects problem. Unless you disable it

Didnt get the pop up and it shouldnt have been disabled, I dont recall a setting to turn that off in windows, so no idea where its located. Not disabled in BIOS either. its seems @Jacky_BEL experienced the same thing or similar .

 

[eidairaman1]

Immediately back up, sounds like controller is dying

I remember a sony ide cdrw causing slow bootups, sluggish performance, took it out boot was fast.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Immediately back up, sounds like controller is dying

I remember a sony ide cdrw causing slow bootups, sluggish performance, took it out boot was fast.

too late, its no longer accessible by me.

I have a spare 2TB hdd I'm going to put in and see if anything happens with the update again, doubt anything.

 

[R-T-B]

Yeah sadly think it's isolates to the drive with your precious photos.

Data loss picks the best of things to run amok on, don't it?

 

[timta2]

This HDD has been thru a lot, SMART status never popped up even after new installs of win10.

Didnt get the pop up and it shouldnt have been disabled, I dont recall a setting to turn that off in windows, so no idea where its located. Not disabled in BIOS either. its seems @Jacky_BEL experienced the same thing or similar .

I've seen numerous drives fail, without a single odd S.M.A.R.T. status reading. S.M.A.R.T. is a great feature, but it's far from perfect.

 

[outpt]

if it is in an plastic case it may not be dead. My seagate just quit and having nothing to loose i removed it from its enclosure and it works just fine. this may work for you.

 

[R-T-B]

I've seen numerous drives fail, without a single odd S.M.A.R.T. status reading. S.M.A.R.T. is a great feature, but it's far from perfect.

Yep, it isn't perfect but it's another thing to watch.

 

[Shrek]

Are there anymore options open?

The connectors from the hard drive circuit board to the internals might benefit from cleaning.

Here’s a Surprising Trick Repairing Hard Disk (HDD) | Electronics Repair And Technology News (jestineyong.com)

I would clean them and apply silicone oil but not solder them.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Yeah sadly think it's isolates to the drive with your precious photos.

Data loss picks the best of things to run amok on, don't it?

I'm hoping its a controller failure only as @eidairaman1 mentioned.

If things were only as easy as swapping platters out.

The connectors from the hard drive circuit board to the internals might benefit from cleaning.

Here’s a Surprising Trick Repairing Hard Disk (HDD) | Electronics Repair And Technology News (jestineyong.com)

I would clean them and apply silicone oil but not solder them.

thats interesting, gonna have to save that to try on another drive.

 

[eidairaman1]

I'm hoping its a controller failure only as @eidairaman1 mentioned.

If things were only as easy as swapping platters out.


thats interesting, gonna have to save that to try on another drive.

If your hdd has important or sentimental data, hire a professional service to extract it.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

If your hdd has important or sentimental data, hire a professional service to extract it.

I will be. Pricing several places still. Waiting for return calls tho....

 

[dogwitch]

I will be. Pricing several places still. Waiting for return calls tho....

also get a cheap nas to. with a ups attact to it. and a external drive to.

 

[eidairaman1]

also get a cheap nas to. with a ups attact to it. and a external drive to.

Id go as far as prints of photos, DVDs/blue rays, usb thumb drives, all kept dry and cool and in dark.