dannyzmom
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Computer Troubles: Harddrive Shot?
- Thread starter dannyzmom
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The thread discusses experiences and concerns related to computer hard drive failures, including personal anecdotes about data loss and recovery attempts. Participants share their backup practices and express empathy for the original poster's situation.
Discussion Character
- Anecdotal
- Opinion-based
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- One participant mentions their computer died and suspects the hard drive is shot.
- Another participant expresses concern about their own computer potentially failing, recalling a previous laptop failure.
- One participant shares they have most of their data backed up but lost one Pampered Chef order due to the computer failure.
- Another participant recounts their experience with a computer crash and emphasizes the importance of backing up photos regularly.
- One participant suggests a method of placing a hard drive in a freezer to potentially recover data, sharing their success with this technique.
- Several participants discuss the importance of having external hard drives for regular backups, with one noting they back up weekly.
- Another participant humorously highlights the significance of backing up data, repeating the phrase "Backup" multiple times.
- One participant expresses sympathy for the original poster and hopes for a successful recovery of their hard drive.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Views differ on the effectiveness of various data recovery methods, particularly the freezer technique, and there is no clear consensus on the best practices for backing up data.
Contextual Notes
Participants share personal experiences with data loss and recovery, reflecting a range of backup practices and emotional responses to computer failures.
Who May Find This Useful
Members of the consultant community who are interested in personal experiences related to data management and recovery strategies may find this discussion relevant.
dannyzmom
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Chefgirl2
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jrstephens
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Mine crashed about a month ago. I stayed on the phone with Dell for an hour and they got it up running. I had PP backed up but I had not written my photos to cd's in about a year! I was FREAKING 
about that!! That was the first thing I did when it got back up and running. Now I write to cd eevry time I upload them.
about that!! That was the first thing I did when it got back up and running. Now I write to cd eevry time I upload them.
janetupnorth
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PREFACE: Don't laugh...
Put it in a ziploc bag (the HD only) in the freezer for awhile. If it is not a mechanical break...this will cool it shrink down the parts and get it to spin enough to get your data off. Pull it out of the freezer after about 15-30 minutes, put it in the computer and try again.
I've saved MUCH data on many systems that way...
Put it in a ziploc bag (the HD only) in the freezer for awhile. If it is not a mechanical break...this will cool it shrink down the parts and get it to spin enough to get your data off. Pull it out of the freezer after about 15-30 minutes, put it in the computer and try again.
I've saved MUCH data on many systems that way...
MissChef
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Our main drive crapped out about a year ago! We lost almost everything! My hubby is an artist and lost a lot of pics that he had scanned and most of our family pictures! PLUS, both his work files and all my PC files were lost too! Thank God PP was on another drive! He had some of our pictures backed up on CD's and I had a few of our pics in my emails! Ones I had sent people, so I was able to have those!
I'm sorry Carolyn! That's all you need on top of not feeling well! I hope you are doing better and I hope your computer can be fixed without too much stress~! 
I'm sorry Carolyn! That's all you need on top of not feeling well! I hope you are doing better and I hope your computer can be fixed without too much stress~!
MissChef
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jenniferknapp
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janetupnorth
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MissChef said:
Yes, seriously, I've done it numerous times...just seal it in a bag good so no moisture gets in while in the freezer. Like I said, if the failure it not due to an actual "break" in the physical metal, that will shrink the parts back down and usually get it running long enough to get your data off.
I can't count anymore how many times I've done it, shown peers at my current company who have used it with success and talked to other techs throughout the US who have done it.
I hope it can work for you to get some stuff....
janetupnorth
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jenniferknapp said:
External HD, CDs, DVDs, some backup. I admit I don't follow ALL backup rules with personal stuff and someday it will be my fault if I lose somethings but I do backup some things and everything can have its failure, including external HDs but if you have a duplicate, you are less likely to lose all...
janetupnorth
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MissChef said:
By the way, do you still have the drive? You may want to try it...you may get it to run even without the freezer. Also, when you try, if it doesn't fire up at first, rotate your PC 90 degrees...if laying down flat, stand it up. Sometimes a position change will get it to go for awhile...
OK, I know KG is going to chime in with a joke here soon...talk about computers long enough and one joke or more are bound to show up. 
GourmetGirl
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The_Kitchen_Guy
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janetupnorth
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The_Kitchen_Guy
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GourmetGirl
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janetupnorth
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dannyzmom
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs that my hard drive is failing?
Common signs of a failing hard drive include unusual noises (like clicking or grinding), frequent crashes or freezes, slow performance, and error messages related to disk failure. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to back up your data immediately.
Can I recover data from a dead hard drive?
In many cases, data recovery is possible even if the hard drive is not functioning. Professional data recovery services can often retrieve data from damaged drives, but this can be expensive. If the drive is physically damaged, recovery may be more challenging.
What should I do if my hard drive is making strange noises?
If your hard drive is making strange noises, it's crucial to stop using it immediately to prevent further damage. Back up any accessible data if possible, and consider consulting a professional for diagnosis and potential recovery options.
How can I tell if my hard drive is completely dead?
A hard drive may be considered dead if it is not recognized by your computer, does not show up in the BIOS, or fails to spin up at all. If you hear no sounds when powering on the computer and the drive is not detected, it may be time to replace it.
What are my options for replacing a failed hard drive?
If your hard drive has failed, you have several options for replacement. You can purchase a new hard drive (HDD or SSD) and install it yourself, or you can take your computer to a professional for replacement. Additionally, consider upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) for better performance.
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