[Jaggu]

Gadget guru had recommended these guys, they will remote help you. ie you dont have to remove the hard disc from your system.

Hard Disk Data Recovery Software - Macintosh, Linux, Windows Server, Outlook & CD Data Wipe Utility & Disaster Recovery Service, Kaspersky Anti Virus Software

[low_bass_makker]

I personally think that these software are just jokes.....never work fine.....the best option is BACKUP as our super-admin GTO said

[abhibh]

The same thing happened to me. I used the Kopnix (linux bootable) and force mounted the drive and tada it worked and copied all my precious data.

[wiking]

Assuming you are using windows Xp, try chkdsk

How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by chanapli

Look like HDD is having physical spindle problem.

I would agree with that based on the information you have provided.

And if that is the case, no software will be able to help.

But if that isnt the case, i have heard good things about this software - GRC*|*SpinRite 5.0 to 6.0**

cya
R

[nitroxx]

low bass maker dude try using ntfs undelete and recover all your data including all data from your recycle bin that youve been dumping.Its free then use chkdsk. IT could also be that your drive has locked under a certain user profile thats happened to me recently and what you do is use safe mode find your 80 GB drive there,if you can see it change the access rights to allow all users and rights and then see.If not then we'll find another way.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by wiking

Assuming you are using windows Xp, try chkdsk

How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP

How do we run chkdsk on a disk that is not detected ?

Please take it to some experts before you spoil it beyond recovery. There are plenty of HDD recovery specialists.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

How do we run chkdsk on a disk that is not detected ?

Exactly, I too was wondering how chkdsk/undelete can work if the physical disk is undetected.

If the data is really important, take it to a recovery expert with some good credentials. DIY is best if you are willing to take risk with your data.

Ooohh, about 15 years back I could have been your recovery man, I used to be a disk recovery specialist in 91-92, I dealt with 20-80MB hard disks though.

[esteem_lover]

So how many MBs have you recovered so far ?

[wiking]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

How do we run chkdsk on a disk that is not detected ?

hey.. most cases the disk is not detected because of corruption of file system (like MBR etc). Best way to determine this is to check if the drive is displayed (My Computer->Manage->Disk Management). If the hdd is detected, the volume info can be passed to chkdsk which may help to recover the file system.

All said, if there is h/w issue with hdd, then I think u need professional help like other have recommended.

[chanapli]

Originally Posted by wiking

hey.. most cases the disk is not detected because of corruption of file system (like MBR etc). Best way to determine this is to check if the drive is displayed (My Computer->Manage->Disk Management).

Check the BIOS, if it does not detect, no OS can see the drive.

[Gordon]

I am using my cell phone to access Team-BHP. Thanks for the replies.

Chkdsk:
The HDD is not detected at all even in safe mode. Due to this you cannot perfor any operations on it. Its as good as if its not connected.

Freezer trick:
This seems quite risky. Wouldn't try it myself.

Data recovered till date:
Zero.

About Backup:
That was my biggest mistake. I was waiting till i get a dvd writer since it has more storage capacity and requires less dvds. Will take frequent backups henceforth.

Anyways, the engineer gave me a contact who is an expert in data recovery. Will call him today and check his rates.

[navdeep]

Did you try booting from this HDisk ?
Try Fdisk /mbr on the prompt

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by chanapli

Check the BIOS, if it does not detect, no OS can see the drive.

You're right. If the BIOS itself cannot detect it then nothing else can access or detect it. The HDD does not appear in the BIOS.

[Zappo]

Gordon, maybe you can try one trick. Nowadays, there are USB casings available for normal HDDs. These enable a hard-disk to be hot swappable and obviates the need for pre-detection in the BIOS. Check if you can reach the drive using USB. If there is some problem in the board (slot) because of which the HDD is not getting detected then this trick may help.

Also, if there is an adjacent slot available (some boards do have two HDD slots) maybe you can take the cord out from its current slot and try putting it in the other vacant slot and see if that works.