Retrieve Data Off a Crashed Hard Drive

**Avinash Kaur** · 28-02-2009

Hello Everybody,

Can any one tell me how to get data from a hard drive which is no longer able to boot? I mean to say that if the hard drive is crashed or corrupted. Is it still possible to retrieve data off a crashed hard drive? Does any one have any idea about it? Any kind of information on it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

**deoWo** · 28-02-2009

Below are five different methods for getting documents, pictures, and other important files off a crashed hard drive.

1. Use an External Case:- This method is the most simple available, and for many people it is also the solution they need. Simply purchase an external hard drive case that allows you to plug your hard drive into a computer with a standard USB cable. Remove the crashed hard drive from your computer and carefully insert it into the external case (make sure you ground yourself before touching it), then plug it into a different system and try to open the drive. There's a good chance you'll be able to navigate into your documents and other folders and copy them onto a different hard drive.

2. Use a LiveCD:- This method will be ideal, then. You'll need to get temporary access to a computer with Internet and a DVD burner. Download a Linux LiveCD.The most simple for an average computer user would be Puppy Linux. It has a larger file size, but should recognize your drive.Burn the Live CD ISO to a CD and insert it into your computer (the one with the crashed hard drive). Restart the computer and when it the computer logo appears, press F2 (or whatever key for your system) to enter BIOS. Change the boot sequence to CD first, Save and then Exit.

The Live CD will start, simply follow the directions on the screen--don't worry, nothing is being done to your hard drive. The OS will start, and you should see your hard drive mounted on the desktop--something like "60GB", etc. Plug in a second drive and copy and paste the folders over.

3. Data Recovery Software:- If you want something a little less complicated, you may want to give recovery software a go. There are a number of different free recovery tools available, and you may be one of the lucky users who have success with the programs.

There are a large number of programs available, but the quality of each varies. A good place to start would be Data Disc Recovery--it's free, easy to use, and works on crashed drives (it can also retrieve deleted files and others). If one doesn't work, try a different one.

4. Freeze It:- This method surprises many, but it actually does work (depending on what happened to the drive). The idea is that freezing it will constrict loose parts long enough for the drive to work properly. Make sure you have a computer ready to plug the drive into and an external case. Place the hard drive into a baggy, seal it tightly, and put it in the freezer overnight. The next day, remove it from the baggy and put it in the external drive case. Transfer the data from the drive before it warms too much and crashes again.

5. Get a Pro:- If all else fails, you either have to accept that the data is gone or, if the data is really important, take the hard drive to a professional. It will be expensive, but there's a good chance a pro will be able to retrieve some of the data for you.

**RoninBlade** · 28-02-2009

You can do this by double formatting your drive. To recover your file just install OS and choose options to leave existing configuration on your computer. then follow instructions until it ask you to reboot computer.

By doing this you can now go to your profile and save your data to your partitions. You had actually formatted the drive back to its OS but it will ask you on which system to choose.

That is why you had to format this again by a fresh copy on your computer to eliminate the prompt option on which OS system. At least you had now access your old files and had save it.

**Fabian** · 28-02-2009

dd_rescue does copy data from one file or block device to another. dd_rescue is a tool to help you to save data from crashed partition. It tries to read and if it fails, it will go on with the next sectors where tools like dd will fail. If the copying process is interrupted by the user it is possible to continue at any position later. It can copy backwards.