Computer Geeks: Hard Drive Just Crashed, Help

**grizzle6** · 10-19-2006, 09:03 AM

I have a small, portable 20 GB hard drive that just crashed. I have some of it backed up at home, but really would liek to try and recover what's still on the hard drive. Is there any way to do this? I know--I'm an idiot for not backing it up...please just let me know if there's a solution.

**wi3dzmin** · 10-19-2006, 09:14 AM

a) Are you sure it's the hd that's at fault?
b) There's always the good ol' "stick it in the freezer" option. Googling gets you about a gozillion ways how to do it. Yes, it does work.

**grizzle6** · 10-19-2006, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by wi3dzmin

a) Are you sure it's the hd that's at fault?
b) There's always the good ol' "stick it in the freezer" option. Googling gets you about a gozillion ways how to do it. Yes, it does work.

Yeah. i'm sure. It's a small portable 20GB external hard drive. Freezer huh? how long?

**wi3dzmin** · 10-19-2006, 09:22 AM

Depends on your freezer

Generally between 30 mins to 1 hr.

**RShea** · 10-19-2006, 12:06 PM

I'd also try some of the data recovery software out there, see if you can image it with Ghost or True Image (purchased packages) and you may have to turn off the error notifications, or if those are not available or do not work look at PC File Inspector Recovery (German company but English version is available)- it is a free download from their web site.

**ninjabirdman** · 10-19-2006, 12:41 PM

also, if it's a standard IDE drive inside of the enclosure, and you suspect the enclosure rather than the drive is at fault, you could remove the drive and plug it into a desktop to recover your data.

the freezer method is also worth a try.

failing all of those, a data recovery shop will be able to get your data for you, but it won't be cheap. maybe ~$1000.

good luck man, it sucks to have those things shit on you.