Hard Drive Problem

I concur....

Did you not have your data back up?

Windows repair disk can't repair all possible NTFS file system errors or partition errors. I've repaired similar problems as yours in the past with a bootable linux cd or dvd and try to use the disk/file system repair tools in the linux console.

Unfortunately this can be a rather daunting task for someone who doesn't have experience with linux/unix. If you don't have this experience take the HDD to someone who is experienced with troubleshooting them.

Good luck.

Hooker

Good Idea Hooker. I have had some good results with one of those Linux repair disks....

To the OP, have you "read out" the S.M.A.R.T. data with some application, many are free, while connected via the USB as someone mentioned maybe?

Keeping an eye on your hard disks with SMART occasionally is alays a good idea, as is a backup!!

I use a dual SATA clone unit, which allows me to keep an accurate exact copy, of my disk. Without needing a PC to do it. They are very cheap nowadays too....

Plug it in as a usb drive. Download photorec an open source recovery software then recover your files and save it to another. Format that memory then right after and try to install windows 7 back again.

Sounds like you have a bad boot sector. Back the data up, reformat the drive in a DOS window - format /mbr (If I remember correctly).

It will either fix the drive or trash it. Microsoft has a problem with boot sectors as people overwrite it with bootloaders that let you run other operating systems so they have moved it. My old school solution might look for the real boot sector and not the Microsoft version.

Microsoft also does not read drives that were set as boot drives easily as secondary drives. This time a standard reformat should work.

Good luck.

I've had good luck (many times over many years) with SpinRite. It is not free, but it has revived many non-booting Windows systems for me.

Here's a really off-beat way to revive an unbootable drive that was not subject to a virus or severe mechanical shock.

Take it out of your machine and place it in a zip lock bag, then place the sealed bag in your freezer for at least 24 hours. While it's cooling down get your backup media (USB drive, etc.) ready to go by attaching it to your machine. The next day reattach the frozen drive and keep your fingers crossed, if you're lucky the drive will spin up and the machine may actually boot. Once/if it does boot, immediately start backing it up, you may only have 15 minutes of runtime before it fails again, sometimes permanently.

Freezing causes the tolerances to tighten up, and may help to temporarily realign the boot tracks with the head. It has worked about 75% of the time for my friends and me. Good luck!

i see "SATA" in #5 In reply to #4 . . .

e.g. sometimes it's eithter bad connector and/or cable

► try different manufacturers - or let the local ***repair shop do the testing

or (insufficient/noisy) PC power supply (or insuf./noisy UPS)

► try different

or HDD controller

► try different (2-nd hand) hard disk ***

dear sirs, i tried many ways but none. kindly help in this regard because i have my family very old pictures in this HDD. if someone can help me

What have xou tried up to now?

Dear Sir Andy Germany,

1, I tried to connect this drive as master because this drive has two partitions. on C window seven was installed & on D all pictures & other data was available. BIOS detecting but boot seq not starting......

2, I also tried to connect drive as slave through sata connector as second drive but here also BIOS detecting but window not detecting second HDD both partitions.

3, I also seen on YT to how to copy data from faulted drive. i connect SATA to USB converter & also open the drive & moved its head manually than connect drive with USB port, with this sequence window detecting this drive & installed its driver also but after that nothing...... :{

Please help

I do believe, if I understood you correctly, that the drive is now a boat anchor and little more.

If you need the data, you will have to send it to one of those companies specialising in such recoveries, but they are not cheap. It simply depends upon what you are prepared to pay or not.

Remember, there should always be a further two copies of all of your data, in two different geographical locations to the copy on your PC. That is, 3 locations and 3 copies.....

I actually use quality DVDs for pictures and music, but unless you are aware of the dangers of using optical media, do not do this.....though as I do understand, some of them are over 20 years old and still fully readable....

Sorry to bring such bad news.....

You have tried the easy things without success. I know SpinRite is expensive ($90USD), but if the BIOS can see the drive, SpinRite is your best chance to recover your "priceless" data. SpinRite does have a money-back guarantee (see https://www.grc.com/cs/prepurch.htm). The alternative (commercial data recovery services) will be much more expensive.

Good luck,

Carl

Try to recover your data and always keep backup of your data.

Have you tried to plug it as an external drive using USB?

There are 2 methods with the help of which you can easily resolve your HDD problem. One is the manual method and other is a third party tool. I would suggest you use a third party tool. Hard drive data recovery is the best tool. It has easy to use user interface.