Anyone have some advice on what to do about recovering data from a HP laptop with a hard drive issue?
Recovering Data From A Hard Drive
- Thread starter GnarlsBarkley
- Start date
You can use a USB to SATA adapter to attach the hard drive to another computer and attempt to read it from there. I have mixed success with laptop hard drives that are going bad. A former boss of mine used to put bad hard drives in the freezer overnight, and then try to read them. He swore it worked, but that method has never helped me.
If you can't read the drive yourself, Best Buy has some more advanced tools to recover data. I don't have any idea what they charge.
If you can't read the drive yourself, Best Buy has some more advanced tools to recover data. I don't have any idea what they charge.
Smash it with a sledgehammer and the bits with useful information will separate from those that don't have any. Then, put the useful bits into a pot with some chicken stock, bring to a boil, and let simmer for 10 minutes. Afterwards, strain and let cool before drinking to incorporate the recovered data into your system.
This works at least as well as putting it in a freezer, and probably better.
Usually the data isn’t “recover-able” because bits/fragments are scattered across the hard drive. Run a defrag program first. If you can’t defrag, the best way to “un-scatter” the bits is to run a neodymium magnet (get one here from Amazon) across the hard drive several times. This will physically “arrange” the fragments in an orderly fashion so they can be recovered. YWIA.
Timely thread as I couldn’t find a file on my work laptop and I have an important report due tomorrow. So I did what you said and now my laptop doesn’t seem to be working. I assume I must have accidentally arranged the fragments the wrong way. Any guidance on getting them back in the right order? FYI - if this doesn’t work I’ll get fired and I have a wife and kids.
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Absolutely -- rotate the magnet's direction of movement 90 degrees from your initial direction and make several more passes. YWIA.
Mav, I heard sometimes if the hard drive has been dormant the fragments can get cold and its' easier to arrange them if you heat them up in the microwave for a while. Is that true?
This can be true but microwaves typically heat the moisture that’s in the item being heated. So unless you soak the hard drive before microwaving you’re wasting your time. Another option is to use a hot air fryer set on its highest temp for about an hour or so. Smells awful but works!
Just make sure the rotating table inside is turning counter-clockwise. Otherwise you're screwed.
Still didn't work, Mav. I'm beginning to think I suck at following directions.
Thanks for all the help guys. I knew I could count on the paddock to solve my problem...but I think I messed up.
I figured if one magnet was good two would be better, so I got two but when I stared the process I realized they were diametrically opposed. It seems I've opened up some kind of portal to another deminsion. Ever seen 'The Mist'? That's what I'm dealing with here. Small price to pay for getting those family photos back though.
I figured if one magnet was good two would be better, so I got two but when I stared the process I realized they were diametrically opposed. It seems I've opened up some kind of portal to another deminsion. Ever seen 'The Mist'? That's what I'm dealing with here. Small price to pay for getting those family photos back though.
Old Liz is our very own version of Sasquatch. Hairy ain’t gonna cut it in 100 degree heat and 100% humidity so he’s an amphibian. He hangs out in Scape Ore Swamp and checks out us humans every once in awhile.
Everything I've ever tried always messes up and get make 1/4 of a picture, the rest of gray and funky colored. Pisses me off. Lost a lot of dirty pictures over the years. I bit the bullet and bought external hard drives so this will stop happening to me.