nospam wrote:
In article , Good Guy
wrote:

I would try removing from the machine and putting in a USB enclosure and
try using File explorer to recover as much as possible.

the clicking is a bad sign and isn't going to magically stop if it's in
a usb enclosure.

Agreed. That is the sound of a bad controller. Data recovery is VERY
expensive. Years ago a local business loss a drive after and send drive
to OnTrack and was nearly 6K for 3GB of data and this was 15 years ago.


I agree 15 years is a very long time but Hard Drives do lasts longer if
enough care is taken not to misuse them.


Platters can lose data from just sitting over the years, but that is not
OPs issue. Definite sign of bad controller. Options a

1) You have backup right? (best option)
2) Data recovery (very expensive option)
3) Get another drive of the same model that works and swap platters.
(not easy on many aspects).

I have done #3. First it will be hard to find another 15 year old drive.
I was lucky to have several on hand. It requires that you CAREFULLY
disassemble both drives. Requires micro torx drivers and great care.
Hardest part is removing the the head arm without scratching your
platters. You have to get it out of the way to swap platters. The rare
earth magnets are VERY strong. Then you have to connect it up, cross
fingers and if lucky start dumping data as fast as you can. I do not
bother putting cover back on just trying to dump data to good drive as
fast as possible. That said, odds of success a small, but if #1 & #2 are
not possible what do you have to lose?


--
Take care,

Jonathan
-------------------
LITTLE WORKS STUDIO
http://www.LittleWorksStudio.com