Data Recovery Myths

[Hardware Secrets Team]

There has been a new article posted.

Title: Data Recovery Myths
URL: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/245

Here is a snippet:
"Some are users who are desperate because they’ve lost their data, and others are maintenance technicians who aren’t specialized in data recovery, but all face situations when every attempt to recover ..."

Comments on this article are welcome.

Best regards,
Hardware Secrets Team
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com

[fdisk]

I have successfully used the freeze technique to get non critical but highly desired data from a drive when there was no chance of paying for a professional recovery. The premise is that the metal will shrink and any seized parts will become unstuck.

Rather than tapping or thumping, I have used a spinning technique to jump start a seized drive. A very quick flick at the center of the platter spin point can get a drive going sometimes.

Both of these have been used on drives that were running for a very long time and then turned off. The drive bearings are presumed to be seized up and getting things moving again will let the drive work for a short time or even until it is turned off again.

They may be desperate measures and of questionable judgment, but they aren't really myths in my book. I thought myths were methods that didn't work at all. If you don't have the money for professional repair then there isn't much to loose from trying these tricks. Just don't electrocute yourself trying any that involve a powered drive.

One other point I might add. Knowing these sometimes do work might make you think twice about throwing away a drive intact just because you can't make it work. Someone else might be able to and it wouldn't cost them tons of money to try. I always open the drive and destroy the platters, just in case.

If only we all had access to a clean room and all the toys!

[ragingsamster]

The author has obviously enjoyed a environment flush with cash to have the necessary funds to operate in a clean room environment - congratulations.

Welcome to the real world, most data recovery is accomplished in less than ideal environments, and it is done sucessfully. The goal of field data recovery is never to "fix" the drive. But to get the data as quickly as possible - making the drive's operating environment less critical as it will be tossed when the procedure is complete.

This would seem to be an article more geared towards scaring consumers towards laying out large sums of cash rather than one that is said to "dispel myths" calling tried and true methods (some more sucessful than others) myths is the epitome of arrogant and borders on deceitful.

[triangle]

Hello,

Sometimes it is truly useful to try data recovery tools. Once I thought the data was gone completely it was able to restore. The one I prefer is Undelete, it never failed me. If you wish, you can also try it out.
http://www.active-undelete.com/