My computer has been running happily with a RAID 0 consisting of 2x 320gb Maxtor SATA hard disks for approximately a year.

Because I know what I’m doing, I’m perfectly happy with the risks so the RAID will be staying once I get this fixed, but with a nightly backup system in place once I can get hold of a big enough single hard disk.

Anyway, here’s the problem: Vista bluescreens just after the point where Windows switches to the Nvidia RAID driver rather than directly accessing the RAID via the BIOS (well, I’m pretty sure that’s what happens). In simple terms that’s when all the drivers listed when starting safe mode have been loaded, or when (in my case) the hard disk cuts out for about 3 seconds, before resuming booting.

The data on the RAID is still completely intact and without any errors, according to Paragon Partition Manager, which accesses it without the need for a driver. If possible I would like to avoid having to copy the partition to another disk (which I would have to purchase), repair it in some way, and then put it back on the RAID.
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Data loss is a plague that can hit anyone and anytime, regardless of technical prowess, handling care, operating system or hardware configuration. In many cases, data loss is caused by factors that are out of our reach and unfortunately, in some of these cases data recovery is impossible. A burnt out hard disk is the clearest example that comes to mind. It’s often not your fault that it breaks down and data recovery is impossible. This is a rare case still and most data loss problems can be fixed with the help of data recovery tools, professional software, some technical knowledge and a bit of common sense. Let’s go through a few data recovery tips and tricks that might help you recover those accidentally deleted files and keep you from deleting them again.

Backup, backup and more backup!

Constant and organized backup is the only way you can save some data that would be otherwise impossible to recover, due to a physical problem like the one described above. But backing up data is not as easy as it seems at first glance. First of all, you need to organize a backup system, like copying your essential data from your hard disk to CDs, flash disks, DVDs or another external destination.

One thing that will prove very useful is keeping all your data on a small number of different external destinations. If you burn each document or excel file you create on a different disk as backup and you’ll need it later on, there’s two things that can go wrong: A. You won’t find the specific disk within the sea of disks where you keep your backup and B. The disk may get physically damaged itself after a while. Try keeping everything on a single DVD (you can burn data on a disk and leave it open for future burning), assuming 4.7 GB are enough for what most people consider essential data on their computers. Also make a backup for the backup, just in case something bad happens to it, like a spilt can of coffee on the DVD drawer (way more common than you might think!)

Using data recovery software vs. using the services of a professional data recovery company

The decision is yours to make, but unless you absolutely know what you’re doing and know how to use the data recovery software by yourself, it’s best if you employ a professional company to do it for you. Don’t build a technical ego just because you managed to install Windows by yourself, with data recovery, you’ll be dealing with much more sensitive matters. If you fumble up your Windows installation process, you can simply start over. If you accidentally remove every chance of recovering a bunch of files, there’s no turning back.

Use your operating system’s data recovery options

Both Mac and PC operating systems such as OS/X or Windows have built-in data recovery tools that can be helpful in case of logical or human error-related data loss. Sometimes you’ll find them easier to use than professional data recovery software, mainly because they’re built under the same structure as the operating system, so you’re already familiar with the interface. However, in what regards recovery options and efficiency, you can’t compare the standard operating system tools with a professional data recovery program so if your data loss issue is more complex, you’re probably better off using the latter.

I was in the office and discussing some technical issues with my collegues suddenly one person arrived and ask us the following problem.

I have a Problem with my hardisk, I lft my PC unattended for about a hour, when I returned I saw this Blue screen which said something about Some error has occurred and that windows has Halted the system.

I rebooted, and when I rebooted I saw the Dos Screen stuff saying detecting IDE Master Slave etc etc. After several minutes it said to insert Boot up disk, but I tried the Windows Disk and after it reached Repair Windows I selected that, but it just remained like that. Tried rebooting a few time and the Same Scenario occurred.

Thank Goodness I had a Spare hard Drive (with Win XP that I made on this same PC) I Hooked this up and removed the (Main original C: drive that was not Booting)

I also Hooked the Original Drive in a HD Enclosure and plugged into the USB port as an External Drive. (The Lite went on the Hardrive spins) When I checked “My Computer” it showed the Drive (Now as E) but when I looked at the Properties it said that the Drive was O bytes and the File System was “RAW”.
I just cant understand how my NTFS files changed to RAW? in an hour?
I even went into Disk Management and it did not show the drive (Only the new C drive)

Downloaded Easeus Data Recovery, it also recognized the Drive as Raw but cud not recover do anything more. Even tried Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery and PTDD Partition Table Doctor 3.5 and they dont even see the Drive.

My question is , Can someone one Recommend how I can recover my important file I saved on it, (A few Hundred MB) Since I dont want to discard the drive.

PC Has Win XP SP2, 2Gb RAM, Hardive Seagate 250GB, any other info needed please let me know.

Please Help me I have important files to recover.

So. See the conversation which we passed.
Me: the drive sounds like it is dead. You can recover the data by rebuilding the disks into another drive, but there is no normal method.
Jawad:Have you tryed to hook that HDD to other PC? Your firend’s maybe?
Nouman:No Luck yet, Tried freezing for 12 Hrs, Went it thrawed out Hooked it up again, Still recognized the whole Drive content as RAW file. Cant understand how aDrive cud just change all files to unreadable RAW files.
Hafiz:its very hard to do something effective now. what i would do from now on is that u do ur self a big favor and buy ur self one or two external hard drives. make an image of ur HD every 3 weeks or so than that way u would never loose data

Waqas: don’t let it thaw

hook it up immediately upon removal from the freezer
if it warms up and stops reading you may need to re-freeze
Asad:I dunno if this will help, but i reformatted my hard disk a while ago and it also had that problem of raw data. There’d be like 300 gigs usable, and the other 400 gigs as a RAW. I used active parition recovery and it somehow recognized it as a logical partition. Maybe that’ll help. Best of luck

Finding A Solution

There are two basic methods you can go when it comes to hard drive retrieval: Using a professional person in data recovery center, or a do it your self utility. Software are much more sparing to use than a service provider company, but they are less reliable than using a professional for obvious reasons. My part is to help you choosing which one suites you best.

Software verses Service

What I have found out over the years is that almost everyone wants to try hard drive data recovery software, because it is cheaper, quicker, and private. That blogs, some users have no business using hard drive recovery software, because they make matters more regretful by not understanding the fundamental setup and recovery steps.

The cry from technicians to make more sophisticated hard drive recovery tools has also caused an increase in the number of hard drive casualties. This is because the more damage that can occur. Yes, these powerful programs can recover more data, but if you do not know the proper methode, they can also destroy remaining data.

Development Or Research

I have had many conversations over the years with colleagues from various hard drive recovery centers about what level of software they want us to develop, and how much of the program should be offered to the public. There have been two reasons I have researched this topic:

First, is for economical reasons. plainly, the cheaper the software, the more people will use these hard drive recovery tools. The more powerful the utility, the less need the public has for sending their drive to a hard drive recovery service. Because we also develop tools for these firms, we have to balance pleasing both groups of users, which at times can be a challenging task.

The next reason for this research is for data safety. In other words, how much do we need to protect you from yourself? We truly want you to recover your own data, and helping you prevent undoable is part of the process. I say this because invariably I (and other service companies) get drives weekly that have been trashed by misusing software utilities. As a consequence, many of these drives are considered unrecoverable.

Defining the fine line between offering you cutting edge technologies in the form of software, and making you send your drive to an expert to protect your data from your possible fatal mistakes. I say this because I know you want to try the data-recovery yourself – at least as the first step.

Your Next Step

While you do not want to delay in getting your data back, you also want to take the right steps to protect your data. I want you to be asking yourself, “Can I do this myself, I use a hard drive recovery professional?” If you are not sure, get help. You know your capabilities, and by reading this information, you will probably know which solution is best for you.

Another Problem. Just Sharing For You.
If You Have Any Solution Give Yours Opinion In Comments.

System configuration:

Intel Dual Core 3.0 GHz
Windows XP Prefessional SP2
1.5 GB Ram
Lite-On DVD-Writer
SMTP= Intex
Hardisk – 160 GB Sata Seagate (barracuda)
Graphics Card – ATI inbuilt (Shared memory)

Problem

Hard-disk 160gb crashed. Windows wont start. Re-insert bootable media.

possible cause = maybe some jerk has caused this fatal error. Cause is unknown, but it is being detected in the BIOS, but wont work otherwise.

History
I tried a number of ways to get it right.
tried to use it as Slave to a bootable working master, with the master working in Safe mode or normal mode. (but the master wont boot, if this drive is connected in slave).

Tried to work it in safe mode, still no results. it wont go further form “Mup.sys” (god knows what it is)

Tried the Ultimate Boot Disk (freeware). Tried to boot from that, even that couldnt detect it… (well im still working on that).

Went online to check how to integrate a Hardisk utility software inot the Ultimate Boot Disk.

They told me about an Add-on called TEST-Partition, which could repair my drive. well, i went to the offered Link, but there were no instructions as to how i can integrate that tool into the ultimate boot disk? and how can i use it in DOS mode. there was only a download link, and how to use it. No integration with UBD was provided on its website.

Anyways, i tried the NTFS-Dos compatibility mode, (some 10 mins back), in the UBD itself (by deafult), and this is the error that it gave me:

” Hard disk1 Size= 156290904 KB
Hard Disk Partition Not found by Xp_Shell!A:\ ”

well, this made me feel a little better, and I believe that integrationg that Test-Partition utility with the UBD might give better results…. since that tool is dedicated to Repairing Partitions alone.

So now, i need to know, where i could have gone wrong. and how can i integrate the Test-partition utility with the UBD.

UBD= Ultimate Boot disk (still in Multi-session)
Ive checked the Power and data cables – they work fine with the other Sata hardisk.
For the UBD, i even tried to use hardisk in Legacy mode, still no results.

Solution:

A simple Solution just reinstall xp. Lolz.
either you can also use Hiren’s Boot CD.

Here is some data recovery tips that have worked for me, in the order that I do them. Try booting the drive and copying the data off after every step.
Hold the drive upside down, making gravity change the head geometry ever so slightly. Vertical is also another option. (more…)

The most common occuring problem among hard disk drives is bad sector occurence. There are two types of bad sectors: logical and physical.

While logical bad sectors can easily fixed using particular software, physical bad sectors can be irreparable. But it doesn’t mean there is absolutely no hope, there is still a chance to recover the bad sectors depending on how “deep” the bad sectors are. So, below I am going to consider only physical bad sectors, their symptoms, reasons for appearing, types and ways for possible maintenance.

There are mainly two symptoms you can come across with:

1. Blue screen of death appears often showing the error code indicating that a memory read attempt failed. It follows with inevitable restarting and the next blue screen follows pretty soon with similar error code again. The same message is displayed when there is a problem with DDR memory. But memory modules are easily replaced, or even repaired by replacing the bad chip.

2. Operating system doesn’t boot with a message showing that some system files can’t be found.

One of the reasons for bad sectors is that some areas of HDD, which are most often used, “wear out” and become harder to read and finally, completely inaccessible. Though it is possible to “recover” these sectors using some applications, it is better to get a new HDD for usage as the main system drive and the repaired one use for other purposes. The reason is that even though the bad sector is fixed, all your data is safe and the HDD is working again, there is a risk that the previous or the next sectors are also about to crash soon. Using for additional storage purposes is not the worst choice for such hard drive.

Another reason for physical bad sectors is a shock, which exceeds the acceptable limits, especially, inflicted while the HDD is operating. In this case numerous bad sectors are almost unavoidable. Usually, after such an accident HDD comes to an absolutely useless condition, when it will keep making a specific sound trying to start spinning, but never will. Imagine a disk rotating with the velocity of over 5000 rpm. Is it possible to make a single dot on it by touching it with, let’s say a pencil? The answer is “No”. It is absolutely impossible to avoid a nice clear circle instead of a dot. For an HDD such a circle means a huge area of storage, which is inaccessible.

Nowadays, the HDDs have average size of 500 GB and the price ranges around $70. This is an affordable price, but the information contained in HDD might be more expensive. So, such problems as described above need some solutions, and favorably with positive results. As I mentioned, depending on the situation you are, you can use software, which in most cases are helpful. These kinds of applications are able to access the drive regardless the file system and recover the data and even the bad sectors. If you are not sure or it seems that the HDD is completely dead, probably, it is better to have the job done by a professional.

A lovely saying “The prevention is always better than the cure”. Some important tips and tricks have been listed here for protection of your data. By following these , You can avoid the lossage of data and a difficult data recovery .

Make Backups Daily.

To make Backing up the boot sectors and other directory information is always a wise Methode for securing your data. The different areas on your drive should be backed up on different time intervals. A complete backup program consists of the following things:

1. Make a emergency boot disk for each system.
2. Make the back up of the MBR once, after the Fdisk command of DOS.
3. Make the back up the DBR’s for each logical drive once, after FORMAT command of DOS.
4. Make the back up of the FAT or NTFS or HFS and root directories regularly.
5. Make a back up of important user data regularly.

Perform Surface scanning on monthly base:

Perform a surface scan monthly to test the media on your device. By doing this you can fox the errors in the very initial stages. Even if the scanning program is not capable of fixing the disk, it may at least provide the information about the physical and logical status of your storage media. With this information you can get the help to back up your data and to find the solutions for the problems.

De-Fragment of data weekly is also good..

With the creation of new files and deletion of older ones, the data on the disk becomes more and more fragmented. The fragmentation makes the accessibility of data slow and complicated. I will discuss the disk fragmentation and de-fragmentation later on in my posts. The utilities for DE-fragmentation of the data are available in the operating system.. By maintaining the DE-fragmented data, you can improve the performance of the system. De fragmented data is easy to recover if there is a disk crash.

Use good Anti Virus Software is recommonded.

Viruses are a big cause for data loss these days. To avoid the virus infection in your data and to protect your data, you must use a good anti virus software. I can recommend using Avast Anti virus or Microsoft One Care. When using the internet, always enable your email protection and internet security from the options of your anti virus software.

Do not use pirated games or software or applications.

The pirated games and software are usually prepared by some hacking or cracking, or other illegal procedures to run even after pirated. The procedures may not be compatible and suitable for the software and hardware configuration of every computer and may destroy your data. There is a significant number of software, especially games which have been used as a medium to spread viruses. Therefore using the pirated software may infect your system with some serious system viruses and may cause severe data loss.

My wife kicked my 500 GB Western Digital external hard drive onto the ground and it stopped working. When you plug it in, it clicks repeatedly and never works.

I have tried freezing the drive, removing the SATA drive inside and installing it directly into the PC, and shaking it and crying, and none of these things have worked.

Is there a way to recover the data on this drive without paying a lot of money and risking being thrown in prison for pirated software? ANSWER:
well with that kind of damage i doubt so. If it is truely un-readable then its dead. If it were a 2.5″ one then possibly or it may still work. 3.5″ inches are less durable and not meant to be moved around too much.
if you know how to use hardware as in opening insides, etc.
you have to find another of the same drive then open em both up.
check your disk 1st, see if the cylinders are broken, if the cylinders are broken, then there’s no way to receover data; if not then open the other one and just replace the cylinders in urs with the new hd, then put the new hd together and plug it in, if you did all good, it should work;best take it to a computer shop who knows how to replace cylinders and they can help you find the same hd as well.
good luck.

Everyone in the world needs a lost data recovery program for their PC even if they don’t yet realize the importance of it. This is the best methode to ensure your DATA is protected and that you can recover all of your data should your desktop or your server crash. Most people don’t think these things will ever happen to them because of the quality if their computer and the operating system they use. They also feel confident because they have a backup system.

It isn’t a well known fact but the backup system can fail just the same as your primary programming. This is a common situation if there is a power outage that lasts for any length of time. Another reason this may occur is because of the system becoming infected with a virus. Since you can’t prevent these things from happening all you can do is have a data recovery program so you are prepared for the worst.

You will have the peace of mind knowing that even in the worst of circumstances your data can still be retrieved. It is a good idea to isolate the problem and correct it before you run the data recovery program. If you discover that part of your operating system has to be replaced you want to do this first as well. Once everything is operational you can use the data recovery program to get all your material back.

Most of the good data recovery programs offered don’t cost very much. Even if you only use it one time to recovery data it will be worth the expense. You can get data recovery programs from computer stores or download one online. They are easy to install and they will save you time and money in the long run.

If you don’t have a data recovery program take the time to get one today. You are risking too much to keep operating your computer without one. This is a great investment that will protect you should your computer or server crash. Don’t take the risk of losing your data when such a simple preventative solution is available.