so my external drive fell and the fall was even that big...so when i tried to turn it on it makes clicking noises and it wont start up (show on my comp)....is there away to fix it? i can try returning it...but im really worried because i had very important files on it and if i return it.,...i dont want the people to get the important info....so plz help!! 10 points!!!!
2009-05-30T00:02:04Z
i would go to the data recovery people...but im worried that they will get my info :(
2009-05-30T00:19:54Z
i would go to the data recovery people...but im worried that they will get my info :(
is there away to get rid of the files? without smashing the drive to pieces? cause if i can delete the files...then i have no prob with returning it and getting my money back!
2009-05-30T17:27:43Z
i have tried the inverted/on its side trick but that doesnt work :( any other suggestions?
Eric2009-05-30T00:04:59Z
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Try inverting the drive by holding it upside down, or by laying it on its side to let gravity work against the read/write head(s) to pull it off of the platter(s). Do this while the drive is powered on. DO NOT shake the drive whatsoever. The clicking noise is the head(s) smacking the surface of the diskk platter(s) as they were probably bent during impact. Do not try any suggestions that ask you to place the drive in the freezer. You will increase your chances of destroying the drive.
UPDATE: You can get a strong magnet (rare earth magnets are the best or try a old speaker with the magnet still on it) and place on the drive for a couple of days to realign the magnetism on the platter(s) to destroy the data.
UPDATE2: Try tapping (firm tap with the palm of your hand) the side of the drive while its powered on. I know it sounds crazy, but I have successfully been able to get a drive to stop clicking long enough to pull precious data off. Since your not considering data recovery, then its worth a shot. Also, don't just lay it on its side, try other positions as well (hold the drive in your hand and move it in different directions in the air to see if it will stop clicking, if you find the sweet spot then you might have to have someone either hold it or you can one arm it to start copying data over to a working drive).
BEFORE you try to delete anything, find a Mac and try connecting the drive to that, if you are lucky it might show up on that, then you can look at the files. But as you say it has fallen from a great height so you are going to need a lot of luck...
You could delete everything if you can pass your drive through a degaussing coil. They were used in the past to clean magnetic tapes. Don't know where you will find one, but try a radio or tv station or possible a university. There is no guarantee that all files will have gone as you will have to be able to read it to make sure. Failing that find the biggest magnet you can and pass it over the drive a few times.
It may just that the internal Fan is making a noise but it sounds more like you damaged a moving part inside your Hard drive, if you are able to disasseble the housing and check the plug's connecting the Hard Drive inside you might find a loose wire, if you can unplug the Hard Drive do so and try to install it inside a PC this is mend if the adaptor circutry connecting the Hard Drive is brocken. Hard Drives are very delicate inside and if it is damaged there the only way to recover Data from the Plates is very expensive, and the costs a enormous. So have a look and do what must be done.
If the hard disk is making clicking noises and doesn't spin up, then it is physically damaged you will have to go to a data recovery service that can open the hard disk and repair it or remove the platters. These types of companies usually deal with extremely critical corporate data and charge thousands of dollars for their services. They are very different than the run of the mill software based recovery companies that deal primarily with the "Ooops, I deleted some files I shouldn't have" type customers.
I would say that the drive is history. If you want to retrieve the data It will probably have to be professionally done. The hard drive consists of a spinning platter with a needle. The clicking sound you hear is the disc hitting the needle (not good). If you are worried about the recovery people seeing the contents ask what their privacy policy is. Hope you can get your info good luck .