CrashLanding

[BigDave]

Newbie to the board and novice PC user.
Yesterday I received the dreaded "Bad Sectors' and "No OPS system found"
I tried to use a startdisk and access the c: drive and was successful enough to get a scandisk going, but it didn't last. The HD started to make a scaping/clunking noise and I shut her down. CRASH!
This is a home PC with only personal files that were not backed up. I would like to recover the data but it is not critical enough for me to spend big money with a data recovery company. I plan to buy a new HD and try the Master/Slave copy if possible. Any other suggestions?
Obviously in the future : backup my files more frequently.
Currently stranded at home!

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[mjc]

Ok, you seem to have a pretty good grasp on the situation, so one thing to try when you get the new drive is to take the current one and pop it in the freezer (at least overnight and preferrably a deep freezer), then try the master/slave copy. Basically you will only get one shot at this, so if you can access the drive after freezing, copy and don't stop until you are done.......

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[randyrhoads1981]

Interesting..that would help in a bearing failure where the frezzing would actually shrink the size of metal parts somewhat and may free the drive..ive done this lots of times installing oil pump pickup tubes. Cool..will remember that one for sure.

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**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON

[mjc]

It will also help raise the heads a little bit, especially if they are stuck in one spot.

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[BigDave]

Thanks for the advice. I added the new HD last night and will try the deep freeze technique, then the M/S. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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[david eaton]

BigDave
Before freezing your HD remeber to wrap it in two polythene bags sealed seperately. Otherwise you will have to wait fro the condensation to dry out by which time it will be warm again!

David

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An Apple a day keeps the Doctor away, but only if thrown accurately and hard enough.

[classicsoftware]

I'm sorry for your loss (of data that is).
I posted this before and I'll keep posting:

There is NO excuse for losing data (unless you don't value it).

There are TWO kinds of computer users; those that HAVE experienced hard disk failure and those that are GOING TO experience hard disk failure.

Please I urge you all; get a zip dive, CD-R or Tape drive (my preference) and backup your data.

If you use the tape option you can get a Seagate IDE tape drive that will vack up to 40MB/min with excellent backup software and a second tape for under $300.00 bucks. You can program the drive to back up in the middle of the night, all you have to do is change tapes...... With the emergency restore feature after disk failure:

1. Install new hard disk.
2. Insert emergency restore disk.
3. Boot to A:> drive
4. insert tape
5. type restore
6. get a cup of coffee and wait for your system to restored exactly as it was before you crashed.

Whatever mention you choose, I urge you all to backup on a regular basis. It should be part of your daily routine...

[BigDave]

Thanks everyone for the GREAT suggestions.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll recover most everything.
As a first time poster, I appreciate the advice and will continue to
educate myself through this site.
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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