Safe Backup from dying HDD

[Haywalker]

Hello guys,

 

So Recently I've run into a bit of a problem i started hearing clicking noise from my 500 Gb seagate which we know is a sign of failing HDD but just to make sure i ran crystal disk info and it is indeed reporting a bad HDD. To make matters worse i use this HDD as a photo backup. I've already ordered a new higher capacity drive but with all the logistics issues its gonna be a week before amazon delivers it. So meanwhile i'd like to transfer the data on this drive to the other one before it takes a turn to the worse.

 

Now i tried to normally copy and paste the data but the speeds are inconsistent (I assume the head is failing) and it keeps disconnecting and the copying process is terminated. My question is there a safer way to copy the data from the disk without risking the data?

 

PS: The failing HDD has about 13780 Power on hours while the other HDD has 39700 Power hours on and its showing fine in crystal disk info. which i think is weird.

[WereCatf]

10 minutes ago, Harmer said:

Now i tried to normally copy and paste the data but the speeds are inconsistent (I assume the head is failing) and it keeps disconnecting and the copying process is terminated. My question is there a safer way to copy the data from the disk without risking the data?

I would use Linux and ddrescue for stability -- Linux in general handles these kinds of failure better than Windows. Ddrescue is a disk-copying utility that can handle read-failures pretty well without crapping all over itself. You'd need a second drive to copy the first one to, though, and the second drive would need to be as big as the source or bigger.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

You would be better off not doing anything yourself to recover the data (also the dd command is dangerous if you don't know exactly what you are doing). Any attempts you may make, or even just powering up the HDD and reading it, could cause permanent data loss. Insteas, send to a professional data recovery company immediately. It won't be cheap but it's the safest way. @Pickles - Lord of the Jar can recommend some for you.

 

In the future, make and maintain backups of all your data. It's far safer and can be much less expensive for you should you ever have a problem like this again.

[Boomwebsearch]

26 minutes ago, Lady Fitzgerald said:

You would be better off not doing anything yourself to recover the data (also the dd command is dangerous if you don't know exactly what you are doing). Any attempts you may make, or even just powering up the HDD and reading it, could cause permanent data loss. Insteas, send to a professional data recovery company immediately. It won't be cheap but it's the safest way. @Pickles - Lord of the Jar can recommend some for you.

 

In the future, make and maintain backups of all your data. It's far safer and can be much less expensive for you should you ever have a problem like this again.

If your data on that drive is of significant value to you, then I would highly advise against making any attempts to take you data off the drive by yourself since there is always some chance that your data could be damaged beyond the ability of a data recovery service to be able to recover as of now. In other words, if your data is important to you then power off the drive and get it sent to a data recovery specialist ASAP.

 

Although, if the data is not that significant to you to make it worth paying for data recovery service, then you may choose to attempt to get your data back at your own risk of causing further damage to your data to the extent that a data recovery service wouldn't be able to recover it with the techniques for data recovery which we have currently.

 

If you decide to take the risk of trying to recover the data on the drive yourself, then I would suggest using EaseUS's Recovery Wizard or Disk Drill (please be 100% sure that you would want to risk having the drive fail and causing further damage to your data which may cause even professional data recovery specialists to not be able to get your data back). 

[Haywalker]

 

9 hours ago, WereCatf said:

I would use Linux and ddrescue for stability -- Linux in general handles these kinds of failure better than Windows. Ddrescue is a disk-copying utility that can handle read-failures pretty well without crapping all over itself. You'd need a second drive to copy the first one to, though, and the second drive would need to be as big as the source or bigger.

49 minutes ago, Lady Fitzgerald said:

You would be better off not doing anything yourself to recover the data (also the dd command is dangerous if you don't know exactly what you are doing). Any attempts you may make, or even just powering up the HDD and reading it, could cause permanent data loss.

24 minutes ago, Boomwebsearch said:

If your data on that drive is of significant value to you, then I would highly advise against making any attempts to take you data off the drive by yourself since there is always some chance that your data could be damaged beyond the ability of a data recovery service to be able to recover as of now. In other words, if your data is important to you then power off the drive and get it sent to a data recovery specialist ASAP.

 

I am a bit of a fan when it comes to attempting DIY solutions but usually the risk is much lower than completely losing my data.

 

So i guess i am taking your advice and checking with one of the local electronics retailers that offer a data recovery service, i am just hoping the fee is reasonable.

 

Thank you all for your assistance. 

 

[Pickles von Brine]

Since the drive is disconnecting you can try keeping it cool with a fan. If it continues, you can continue to try to get your data back by attemting to start where you let off. However, that doesn't end well. You said your drive was clicking, speeds are inconsistant and drive is becoming unstable? That points to a failing head/weak surface. Something that can and will get much worst. You may want to consider sending it out for recovery because I doubt you will get it. Plus, I am concerned the drive may get MUCH worse or encounter a full on head failure. Even worse, if a head fails, you could end up with platter damage. So I would recommend you stop while you are ahead. 

 

Go after the most important stuff first. You can try a program called Unstoppable copier and see how that goes. 

As far as recovery goes, be careful who you send this too. Local electronic retailers are idiots or send it out. My estimation for this recovery would be between 480-800 IF the heads hold up. Much higher if they fail. Let a proper data recovery company handle it. 

SalvageData
DrivesSavers
We recover data

No particular order but ones I trust. I use to work for SalvageData as an engineer. 

[doommood]

Another vote for ddrescue. I would make an image of that disk, meaning copy it on block-level to a file stored on another disk. It might speed up the process.

https://www.technibble.com/guide-using-ddrescue-recover-data/

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/39120721