Crashed HD

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by jizaref1, Jul 18, 2014.

  1. jizaref1

    jizaref1 Private First Class

    I have been running Windows XP SP3 on a 1 TB HD for about 2 years.
    Got the blue screen of death and now my system startup doesn't recognize the drive. I am aware this could be a hardware block failure.

    But I am wondering if I can at least recover access to the drive. I backed up recently but there are still some files I would like to access.

    I removed the drive and put it in an external enclosure so I can access it via my laptop and a USB. The laptop is running Windows 7. When I hook up the bum drive it keeps spinning, but when I unplug the partitioned drive it asks me whether I would like to format drives E and F (I of course say no).

    What would be my next step? What information would be helpful for you?

    Thanks
     
  2. Spad

    Spad MajorGeek

    You might try putting the drive back in the PC and trying some of the tools on the Ultimate boot disk:

    http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/ultimate_boot_cd_(ubcd).html

    It has several tools for diagnosing and repairing hard drive issues, among other computer woes. I believe it allows addition of other tools as well. You can configure it to boot from a USB stick also.

    Failing that, you can try using a linux live boot disk of some sort and see if you can access the drive that way. There are also other boot disks and boot utilities here that you can check into. I've always had pretty good luck with Ultimate, though.
     
  3. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    I'm unclear on this. I hope you booted the laptop first then after windows was finished loading, hooked up the desktop hard drive via USB. If you have it hooked up before you turn on the laptop, your laptop might try to boot from the bad hd rather than the internal hd in the laptop. You should see it listed under Devices and Printers. It will be a mass storage device. Then you should be able to use Windows Explorer to see the files you want.
     
  4. jizaref1

    jizaref1 Private First Class

    Yes I boot up the laptop running Windows 7. After bootup I hookup the drive in an external enclosure via USB. It doesn't put up as listed. When I unplug the USB I *then* get an error message asking if I want to format the drive. I say No and quit. So I cannot even get into the drive.
     
  5. jizaref1

    jizaref1 Private First Class

    I downloaded the ISO file, how do I make it boot from USB?
    Even if I do, will it access this drive that keep spinning but doesn't appear under Devices?
     
  6. mdonah

    mdonah Major Geek Extraordinaire

    The instructions for "burning" the UBCD ISO to a flash drive (512 MB minimum size) are located here.

    One or more of the utilities on UBCD may be able to access the hard drive.
     

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