HD problems

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
I got a new 60GB internal hard drive about 3 months ago, and it was running perfectly until suddenly, it came up with an error. After I restarted, the hard drive started to make a clicking sound, and quiet squeak. The OS started up okay, but when it came to load up the files from the 2nd (slave) HD, it would just squeak and click. (Reminded me of a scratched CD chugging).

I left it a couple of hours, and it did manage to load a few icons, but nothing else.



Does this problem sound familiar to anyone?



I emailed a data recovery firm on the internet, who claimed that the squeak and click problem sounded like a common problem, which is 90% fixable, however it would cost me the best part of $1000, which I cannot afford!!



If anyone has any clues to what could be wrong, or any ideas of how I could fix it, please help =)
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 23
    randycat99randycat99 Posts: 1,919member
    It definitely doesn't sound good. Have you accumulated a lot of stuff on it over the 3 months you had it? I'd start moving everything off of it as soon as possible.
  • Reply 2 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member
    Randycat,

    I basically moved everything from my 10GB HD I had for years and years onto it, and also lots of video files from the months I had it.

    My problem is that I can?t move anything from the drive, or even do a disc repair with Norton utilities. When I try to start up the computer with the HD in, it doesn?t seem to respond to anything. It?s like it?s gone from 7200 RPM to 5 RPM!!!



    If I could just access the files, and move them onto a CD, then I would just exchange the drive for a new one.
  • Reply 3 of 23
    torifiletorifile Posts: 4,024member
    What model is it? A lot of people have been having problems with the IBM Deskstar. I can't remember the model number exactly. But if yours is one, you can join the class action suit against IBM. I'm not sure of the details. Leonis is intimately familar with them, though. Sorry I can't help.
  • Reply 4 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member
    Thanks for the info, torifile.

    My drive is an IBM Deskstar...(ATA/IDE 60GB, 7200 drive).

    I got this drive because the drive that came with my G4 was an IBM Deskstar...

    I don't suppose anyone managed to recover any files?...
  • Reply 5 of 23
    torifiletorifile Posts: 4,024member
    [quote]Originally posted by Buff:

    <strong>Thanks for the info, torifile.

    My drive is an IBM Deskstar...(ATA/IDE 60GB, 7200 drive).

    I got this drive because the drive that came with my G4 was an IBM Deskstar...

    I don't suppose anyone managed to recover any files?...</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Is it the 75GXP? That's the one that's been causing problems. See <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=001076"; target="_blank">this thread</a> for more info about it. Maybe someone's been able to get stuff off it. Good luck.
  • Reply 6 of 23
    sounds like your hd has failed mechanism probably. in some cases (depending how severe) you can try mounting the hd and then copying the files over to a new hd. if you can do this make sure you do use the hd until that point as it can break down completely.

    if that is not the case and you can not mount the drive at all. the only way that you can recover your files (to my limited knowledge) is a data recovery expert company who will of course charge you through the nose.
  • Reply 7 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member
    Thanks again Torifile, it is a 75GXP. I can't believe I did not hear anything about it's problems prior to me purchasing it. I did some research, but it was all positive.



    apocalypse, I thought it might be a mechanism problem. I think I'm past the point of mounting it though... I tried again a couple of times today, and got nowhere. I'll ring my apple dealer next week and order a new drive, I'll make sure it's not by IBM this time..I am really pissed off at IBM for this.



    My other deskstar that came with my computer has seemed to work fine. it's been in the computer since I bought it about 2 years ago. However, I am hearing this quiet sqeak now when I start up the Mac...I hope this isn't the start of something....



    ****We all hear of these problems happen to other people, and it's always a shock when it happens to yourself, so I recommend everyone backs up all important files, while you can****
  • Reply 8 of 23
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    freeze it.



    if it's a physical problem, freezing a hard drive can often shrink the mechanical pieces enough that they'll fall into place again.



    put it in your freezer for a day or so, then start it up.



    i know it sounds crazy, but i know people who work at professional data recovery centers. this is one of the first things they try, and works most of the time.



    -alcimedes
  • Reply 9 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member
    <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> Haha thats mad!! Don't want to sound untrusting, but I'm going to need some proof of this freezing idea before I try it.

    Fair enough, i've got nothing to loose with the drive, but could it not damage the computer when It's ready to remount?
  • Reply 10 of 23
    torifiletorifile Posts: 4,024member
    [quote]Originally posted by Buff:

    <strong> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> Haha thats mad!! Don't want to sound untrusting, but I'm going to need some proof of this freezing idea before I try it.

    Fair enough, i've got nothing to loose with the drive, but could it not damage the computer when It's ready to remount?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    The computer will probably be ok, just take the drive out first Seriously, make sure that it stays dry, then give it a try. What could it hurt? At worst, your drive is dead, at best you save $1000 and get your data. And you'll have some VALUABLE info to pass along to others who will have this problem.
  • Reply 11 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member
    [quote]Originally posted by torifile:

    <strong>



    The computer will probably be ok, just take the drive out first Seriously, make sure that it stays dry, then give it a try. What could it hurt? At worst, your drive is dead, at best you save $1000 and get your data. And you'll have some VALUABLE info to pass along to others who will have this problem.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    I'm going to sleep on it first. (not the drive :eek: )

    ...it's getting late and the idea of freezing my data is making me sleepy...

    Thanks for all the help everyone, I'll let you know what happens with the HD....
  • Reply 12 of 23
    eskimoeskimo Posts: 474member
    It won't do anything to help your data recovery but since you purchased the drive only 3 months ago you should call up IBM and they will most certainly replace your drive for you. Like torifile mentioned they've heard enough horror stories about their products failing in the past year that they won't give you a hard time. For most people they have been express shipping out 60GXP models (which have had significantly less failure problems) in a capacity that either matches or exceeds your own.



    If you are interested here is the link to the class action law suit for 75GXP owners. <a href="http://www.sheller.com/ibmclassaction.htm"; target="_blank">http://www.sheller.com/ibmclassaction.htm</a>;



    I've been lucky so far and my 30GB 75GXP is still humming along.



    edit: and in the future a topic like this should go in the Genius Bar section, thanks.



    [ 03-16-2002: Message edited by: Eskimo ]</p>
  • Reply 13 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member




    [ 03-17-2002: Message edited by: Buff ]</p>
  • Reply 14 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member
    I've decided to give the freeze a go,(as the very last resort)... It's been in there for 2 hours, <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> so It'll be a day or so before I get any results.

    I'll ring IBM, and I will make sure I get a good drive. Thanks for the tip Eskimo.



    The law suit is only for US residents, but I'll mention it when I ring up IBM.
  • Reply 15 of 23
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    lol, i know it sounds nuts, but i've done it to drives in the past, and had it work when nothing else was going to. the guy i know said that if freezing doesn't work, you're pretty much hosed, and that the expensive ways are about the only way to get data off.



    not sure how bad your problem is, but it does sound like a physical problem with the disk.



    (i froze a deathstar that went belly up on me earlier this year after nothing would recognize it. it's humming along quite nicely now)



    -alcimedes
  • Reply 16 of 23
    stimulistimuli Posts: 564member
    [quote]deathstar<hr></blockquote>



    ROTFL!!!
  • Reply 17 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member




    i hope this isnt a wind-up!! <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
  • Reply 18 of 23
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />



    dude, that's a great picture! i'm serious though, no joking. i should get my cousin on here. he's got the deathstar i resurrected from the grave through cyrogenics.



    just so you know i'm not totally nuts.



    <a href="http://members.aol.com/DTyleer/HD.HTML"; target="_blank">ignore the AOL part</a>



    this one is a litte more hardcore.<a href="http://www.midwayisd.org/PDFs/help/200ways.pdf"; target="_blank">200 ways to revive a harddrive</a>
  • Reply 19 of 23
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    *bump*



    so did it work or not?
  • Reply 20 of 23
    buffbuff Posts: 55member
    [quote]Originally posted by alcimedes:

    <strong>*bump*



    so did it work or not?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    No, unfortunatley the freezing failed



    I'll try heating it up. and dropping it.
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