Must format drive!

Hi all.

I have a Hitachi laptop hard drive that insists that it be formatted before use. The problem is I really need the data that is on there.

The original error happened when it was in a vista laptop "SMART Failure predicted on hard disk 0:

Warning: imediately back-up data and replace hard disk drive. A failure may be imminent. Press F1 to continue.

Then it freezes on a black screen and a everlasting cursor.

I have tried to use an external hdd enclosure to get it to connect to another vista and win7 system.

The drive letters show up, but then it takes forever the green status bar to get to the end atop COMPUTER and when selected in the left folders window says I need to format.

Also won't show in disk management anymore. Also when it was able to show in disk management I accidentally converted it to a GPT.

A little help?

 

In a case like this, your best bet may be to do a quick reformat of the drive followed by a pro level data recovery program.

See this thread:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=244034

Hope this helps.

 

A couple of things that might be relevant.

1) Often if you let a drive completely cool down you can access it a few more times. So make sure you have it unplugged from any computer in between attempts.

2) You may have better luck if you connect the drive internally to a different computer rather than use a USB connection.

You could try testdisk to see if it finds the files on the HD. The Windows version probably won't work if Windows doesn't see the drive in Disk Management but it couldn't hurt to try. If it doesn't work you might try downloading a GParted Live CD and booting the laptop from that to see if it sees the drive.

For Windows--Download TestDisk. Unzip and go into the win folder and start testdisk_win.exe program.

Create is highlighted so hit <enter>
Arrow down to your Hitachi HD and hit <enter> to Proceed.
Intel is highlighted so <enter>
Analyse <enter>
Quick Search <enter>
P to see files on disk. If they look good/correct then Q to quit files window.
<Enter> to Continue.
Arrow over to Write and <enter> You may want to hold off on this step if you are unsure. You can just quit without Writing if you choose. Testdisk does have a built in copy function although it is rather awkward, but is also an option if "P" shows you your files.
Q to quit program (may take a couple of times)

Then restart and see windows can see the files.

 

Hmm, Can he bag it up real good and freeze it for 15 minutes, then try?

 

Thanks for your replies guys...

I put this one in the too hard basket, because I had spent too much time on it already.

I suppose I should have come here first.