Putting Hard Disk in Freezer?

Daveyboy

Daveyboy

Daveyboy

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My hard disk recently got the "clicking of death"

Pulled it out of the laptop and tried accessing the data from my PC using a borrowed cable

~Drive spins up but still has the clicking

Now I've read about this freezer trick.... does it actually work or is a "spread mustard on it" myth??!!

Dave
 
We've done it at work a few times (as a last resort) 2 out of 4 have worked long enough for us to pull the data off with an external reader.

But once tried the drive WILL be dead as the ice melts and water gets into the drive :)
 
Its so the data stored on it can be used past the use by date. typicaly if the data has a use by date of say 10 years if u put it in the freezer it will last up to 30 years but once u defrost it u have to use it within 3 days amd cannot be refrozen. Also using this method the data is not as gd a quality when defrosted as it was when first purchased. lmao :D. Sorry could not resist always worth knowing for future reference though. Thanks steve
 
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Digipro said:
using this method the data is not as gd a quality when defrosted as it was when first purchased
Click to expand...

Very good!

shadowake said:
But once tried the drive WILL be dead as the ice melts and water gets into the drive
Click to expand...

So should I put the HDD in a freezer/ziplock bag to stop any condensation getting in there?

This is a last ditch effort, knocking the drive has at least made it spin again, but the arm is just clicking back and forth
 
Done it a few times and it does indeed work.
The trick of it is, if you have a stuck head the cold will cause the metal to contract there by freeing the head :D

Daveyboy said:
Very good!
So should I put the HDD in a freezer/ziplock bag to stop any condensation getting in there?
This is a last ditch effort, knocking the drive has at least made it spin again, but the arm is just clicking back and forth
Click to expand...

Yeh Davey, stick it in a zip lock and bung it in the freezer for 10-15 mins, whip it out and plug it it.
Worst thing thats gonna happen is it knackers the drive, and seeing as how its probbly pretty knackered anyway, what you gotta lose.
 
Yep, i've done this once - it lasted long enough for me to get my most important files before it seized up again.

So if it does let you gain access - be sure to have a plan of which files you want to copy first as you may have a finite amount of time before it seizes up again.
 
shadowake said:
lol no you leave it in there for a couple of hours (the metal contracts in the cold) then quickly hook it up to a reader and hope for the best (it's a last resort trick before it goes in the bin). :D
Click to expand...

I did wonder for a second! Just imagine PC setups in the kitchen with a power cable and long SATA/IDE cable coming from the freezer :D :eek:
 
it's worked once from three tries for me, for idiots who didn't back their stuff up

had a drive in work that failed on me, the only thing I needed from it was one text file (a bat file), the thing that finally 'fixed' it was kicking it really hard into a desk, then plugging it back in
 
meh didn't work

worth a try though... seems the heads just aren't reading anything as i've taken the lid off and there aren't any scratches or anysuch

might just destroy it with a hammer for fun instead
 
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Unlucky Daveyboy - hope there wasn't anything too important on it.

bledd. said:
the thing that finally 'fixed' it was kicking it really hard into a desk, then plugging it back in
Click to expand...

I really enjoy this particular method as a last resort, when it works, not only do you get the desired result but you also get to relieve some of the stress it’s caused through a bit of mindless violence.

I used the same method on my first car – until the starter motor casing finally broke (I may have hit it a bit too hard with the hammer that particular day – but it had it coming!).
 
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Plec said:
Unlucky Daveyboy - hope there wasn't anything too important on it.
Click to expand...

Well only about 1000 rare dance mp3's and smut involving my missus

oh and all the family pictures from the last 2 years

I guess I finally got taught the hard way to back up regularly!
 
Daveyboy said:
oh and all the family pictures from the last 2 years
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Sorry to hear that.

Have you considered using a specialist company?

If i had 2 years worth of my kids photos on a HDD that wasn't backed up i would consider a third party company. I would do research first and make sure they were reputable - as they tend to have tiered costs – dependent on how easy or not it is to get the data.

I looked into it a few years ago and the whole process was very vague – especially the pricing - but the market may be more competitive now and may be worth a look? (someone on this forum may be able to recommend a reputable one)

Or, you could give bledd’s method a go - ask what type of desk he used it may be crucial to his technique... ;)
 
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I agree with Plec, give it a good hard whack on the side of a desk or somthing.
Lets face it, it cant get any more stuffed than it already is.
 
Daveyboy said:
meh didn't work

worth a try though... seems the heads just aren't reading anything as i've taken the lid off and there aren't any scratches or anysuch

might just destroy it with a hammer for fun instead
Click to expand...

you could try spreading mustard on it first ...............................;)
 
Daveyboy said:
meh didn't work

worth a try though... seems the heads just aren't reading anything as i've taken the lid off and there aren't any scratches or anysuch

might just destroy it with a hammer for fun instead
Click to expand...

I personally part out everything for what I can get. On somthing like this, I'd at least take out and save every last little screw. You never know when you will need a little screw. :D

Could not resist sorry.
 
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