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Laptop HDD/Windows Failed - I think.

  • 21-04-2007 12:15AM
    #1
    AdMMM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,472 ✭✭✭


    Right, earlier on today I was listening to music on my laptop and the battery reached a critical level and started to hibernate (but took about 10 minutes to fully shut down). I immediately plugged the laptop back in and went to start it up again only it didn't load up and instead I was treated to what looks like the BIOS trying to find the MBR (the underscore is flashing... and flashing) but this is all I'm getting.

    I went to reinstall Windows but when it searches for previous XP installations, it fails to find the installation on the C: drive.

    Unfortunately, there are some really, really important files and documents on the drive and I need a quick way to be able to transfer the files.

    I'm guessing that the drive itself hasn't failed because the BIOS still correctly reads the drive and the Windows Partition Utility still reports back its exact size.

    Do I have any options?

    THe only option I can think of is to use a Bootable Linux Distro that can be run from RAM and access the files on the drive through that but apart from that I'm drawing blank. Any suggestions ?

    Thanks,
    Adam


Comments

  • #2
    awhir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,227 ✭✭✭awhir


    maby you can use northan ghost or sumthing like that to copie it over to another hdd but i dont know if they work with usb.


  • #3
    irlrobins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,541 ✭✭✭irlrobins


    Remove the HD and put it in a caddy, connect to another PC and get files off it that way.

    Or as you say, use a Linux Live CD and copy files to CD or ext HD


  • #4
    AdMMM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,472 ✭✭✭AdMMM


    I installed Ubuntu and managed to access the drive via the Live-CD. The files are being read at a snails pace though and the drive seems to be grinding whenever it's being read.

    Can anyone recommend some good data recovery specialists?


  • #5
    GoneShootin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,478 ✭✭✭GoneShootin


    Have a go with

    http://www.grc.com/spinrite.htm

    It's gotten me out of a few jams before!


  • #6
    rogue-entity
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,664 ✭✭✭rogue-entity


    Murderer, its likly that your laptop drive is dying backup all your important documents ASAP. There are just two places that I know of where you can pick up cheap laptop hard discs in waterford.

    Waterford Micro Systems, just up from Rigney Dolphin (down from Reginals Tower), they sell computer hardware as well as complete systems.

    PC World, in their store, beside the "tech help" area on the right, are what they call "brown box" hardware, basically OEM hardware which is a lot cheaper then the retail boxed hardware you would buy. They sell laptop and desktop hard drives their too.

    I also have a 10GB Laptop hard disc that I keep spare that I can sell you if you want.


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