[SOLVED] How to connect damaged Laptop Hard Disk To Desktop

[blueelvis]

Hello Sysnative ^_^,

So, I am typing this from my sister's laptop now. Today on waking up, I found that my laptop's hard disk was making weird noise of clicking and then screeching and the system was saying that the disc was not found. This incident had occurred a few days ago as well but then on another restart, it was fixed. So, now I am certain that the disk is almost dead.

I tried booting through XPUD but it was not getting to the Desktop Environment and a Ubuntu Live CD just keeps on moving and doesn't load. So, I was thinking if I could connect the Laptop's hard disk to the Desktop using SATA cables which the desktop has got. Would it be possible to recover the data using this?

The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite C640D and has got standard SATA interface for the Hard Disk. Would this work or do i need some other cables as well to get the data back?


Regards,
Pranav

 

[blueelvis]

I just connected the Hard Disk to the Desktop and it got recognized at one point. So, the answer to the above question is yes. But, my Hard disk is completely dead because the mechanical head inside the hard disk is dead.

 

[Digerati]

This incident had occurred a few days ago as well but then on another restart, it was fixed.

That should have been your cue to backup all your data then. It is very rare for a drive that exhibits such problems to get "fixed" on any sort of permanent basis - especially with just a reboot. Such a "sign" is typically just an indicator of more problems to come, and eventual doom - and despair if no backup.

Clicking noises from a drive typically indicated the R/W heads are banging against the end-stops, searching for a non-corrupt boot sector. And screeching is typically bearings, or the R/W head cutting Grand Canyon size (microscopically speaking) gouges in the platters. Either way, not good.

As you have discovered, you can connect a notebook HD to another computer. This can be done in many ways from direct cable connection, to installing the drive into an enclosure or docking station connected via USB. As long as the drive is not connected in the boot position, no problems.

From here, you can try a data recovery program to see if anything is recoverable. I use and recommend Recuva from the makers of CCleaner. But if the drive is not even recognized by the system (BIOS/Chipset), no software recovery program will help. And then your only recourse is to take the drive to a data recovery service where they will break down the drive and analyze the platters for any recoverable data using very sophisticated (read: expensive!!!) equipment. These services can cost from several $100, to several $1000!

Only you can put a value on your data.

Sorry I don't have more encouraging news.

EVERYONE should heed this warning, "ALL drives WILL FAIL - eventually!" Create a viable backup now, and regularly there after.

 

[Patrick]

This is why I throw anything important that I care about having on an external, or the cloud (for things that aren't sensitive). I've lost too much to random hard disks dying to even chance it at this point. Backup is a regular thing now.

 

[Digerati]

And it is important to have several backups, not just one and not just in one location either. If you trust the cloud for your important sensitive information (I don't!) you can use the cloud for "off-site" backups. Otherwise, find a friend or relative where you can keep backups.

Simply using an external drive or spare PC located in your home does not protect you from total loss due to fire, flooding, lightning/severe weather, or a badguy breaking in and stealing everything. If you have a safe deposit box at your bank, that is a perfect place to store backups of your sensitive data like tax records or customer information if you have a business.

 

[blueelvis]

I was told the same thing by Jared at that time but I was busy with my exams and hence couldn't think of the dying disk. This is the first time in my 16 years with Computers that the Hard Disk failed. We had RAM failures but not Hard Disk. Heck, the first PC was a Pentium 3 and it's storage is still going strong :lol:.

Fortunately, there wasn't any sensitive data which I didn't backup to the cloud some time ago. The only thing which hurts me is that I was just going to submit around 100+ drivers to the Carrona DRT next week and now all are lost. I need to scratch the forums for some time to find those

On the bright side, I am glad that it did not die during my exams else I would have been screwed literally.
Also, a funny thing happened yesterday. I told my dad that the disk is dead so please ask your IT support in your office if there is even slight chance of some data recovery. He went to the support staff and told them that I connected the laptop HDD to the desktop using normal SATA connection. Guess what? He asks how did I manage to connect the Hard Disk to the desktop when the laptop's hard disk is specifically made for this laptop only and cannot be connected elsewhere :lolg:. I was like just say that you don't know rather than pretending.

Like the people say about backups - You don't understand the need till it is needed.
I will keep backups now more regularly though for sure.

Also, I bought today a new Hard Disk HGST Travelstar 1TB @ 7200RPM and yes a nice upgrade from 500GB @ 5400RPM even though it was a bit costly.

-Pranav

 

[blueelvis]

And it is important to have several backups, not just one and not just in one location either. If you trust the cloud for your important sensitive information (I don't!) you can use the cloud for "off-site" backups. Otherwise, find a friend or relative where you can keep backups.

Simply using an external drive or spare PC located in your home does not protect you from total loss due to fire, flooding, lightning/severe weather, or a badguy breaking in and stealing everything. If you have a safe deposit box at your bank, that is a perfect place to store backups of your sensitive data like tax records or customer information if you have a business.

We have got 2 externals and another 1TB as internal for backups in our home. But, since I am generally away due to college, I have only my laptop's Hard Disk along with one External. So, it is hard to juggle the data sometimes. I am glad that nothing sensitive was lost.

The data which I have (I am a 19 year old), so there is nothing that sensitive which should be stored in lockers or fire proof safe deposit boxes since the most sensitive information for me is my bank passwords and all. And it is not very difficult to have them reset from the bank...

-Pranav

 

[Digerati]

He asks how did I manage to connect the Hard Disk to the desktop when the laptop's hard disk is specifically made for this laptop only and cannot be connected elsewhere

Yeah, someone is trying to fool someone there. There are drives made specifically for notebooks, but not specific notebooks! That level of proprietary hardware would just be too cost prohibitive.

To be sure, there are adapters to connect notebook hard drives to PCs. People do it all the time.