HDD Failure video included

isaachulse · 22 May 2013 at 22:08

So one day my computer decides to just freeze up (crappy old laptop, but got lots of important files on) - the hdd is making a sound as on the video - and does not show up on windows or mac - I have swapped out the controller board and that part is working - but don't know what the issue is:/
(hdd is Samsung HM250HI 250gb 2.5" in a working NAS Bay via USB to a mac
hope someone can help! Thanks!

video link:

if video doesn't work, it is a constant beeping sound for 3-4 second - then silence

darael · 23 May 2013 at 11:47

Sounds like a mechanical failure to me, but I have to admit I've never heard those noises from a harddrive before!

ZXSpectrum · 23 May 2013 at 12:12

Maybe not getting enough power to spin up? Do you have a separate psu or is it just being powered by usb? By the sounds of that drive though I hope you have a backup.

isaachulse · 23 May 2013 at 16:00

Thanks for the responses, It's powered by a mains adaptor, but another identical drive works perfectly in the cradle

and what would the mechanical failure be?

thanks again!

Hyburnate · 23 May 2013 at 16:03

Sounds like something out of a film o.O

isaachulse · 23 May 2013 at 16:23

Hyburnate said:
Sounds like something out of a film o.O

that's the scary part!

it sounds like a controller board but that works fine so could it be the head stuck or stiction?

darael · 23 May 2013 at 17:11

If in doubt, put it in a sealed bag and place in a freezer for 2 hours. Immediately after removing from freezer, plug in the harddrive and try to get what you need from the harddrive.

After that, it's hammer time for that harddrive.

isaachulse · 24 May 2013 at 08:04

well i've already tried the freezer - isn't there a method of taking off the cover in a clean room and manually moving the head if this is sticktion?

darael · 24 May 2013 at 09:14

isaachulse said:
well i've already tried the freezer - isn't there a method of taking off the cover in a clean room and manually moving the head if this is sticktion?

If you take the cover off, you'll probably find the head is actually moving going from the sounds in your video.

bledd · 24 May 2013 at 09:15

This doesn't help at all, but this is why taking backups are vital!

My last ditch attempt which has worked twice in the past (twice from about twenty attempts) is hit the edge of the drive with considerable force.*

*I've only done this when the person who's hard drive it is doesn't want to spend money in sending the drive away to be fixed.

HDD Failure *video included*

HDD Failure video included