Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong section. I couldn't find anything more appropriate other than the data is on a Vista Machine.
Ok so I get a call this afternoon and some douche slammed his laptop lid shut in a tantrum and now the thing doesn't boot. He's desperate for the data. I said I'd take a look.
Usually I can do enough to recover the data in these cases, but this is a real challenge and thought I'd share my experience so far and offer up for more expert advice.
It's a good case to really see how far I try and recover it before telling the person they give up hope or spend serious cash at a professional HDD recovery outfit.
So...
1.) Vista recovery CD - boots - loads - hangs on green progress bars. Has to be powered off. Tried ISO from USB also. Also tried Original Vista Disc. Same.
2.) Parted Magic - boots ok - sees HDD - computers hangs trying to access anything off the HDD. Has to be powered off.
3.) Toshiba Diagnostic tool - reports FAIL.
4.) Live XP - same as "2". Any attempt to open explorer or browse the HDD - hangs the PC to the point reboot required.
5.) **In Progress** DDRESCUE /dev/sda /dev/sdc from Trinity Rescue Kit Console 3.4
sda being trouble HDD sdb being external USB size greater than sda to avoid issues.
Now...it's been running all night, and when I check it, I can hear the fateful clicking sound of a "goosed" HDD. However checking later, it's logged errors but actually moved on a bit. So although stalling terribley, bit by bit it's copying the data.
Sometimes so slow though I feel it could run for days. Although if I'm lucky it should have a good run and finish during the night.
I haven't slaved the disk into another PC because a) it's a flipping SONY VIAO and the HDD is hidden away out of sight!!!! And
![B)](http://reboot.pro/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.png)
If this fails what else can I try. PS My Freezer is FULL of PRWANS LOL
Many thanks look forward to the masters advice as always
![Posted Image](http://reboot.pro/public/style_emoticons/default/celebrate14.gif)