My hard drive is broken. HELP!?

Question

The laptop fell yesterday and then it froze. I turned off the charger so it would turn off by itself. I turned it on today but it kept saying something like "no hard drive detected, press f1 to reboot or f2 to blah blah blah." The information in my laptop is reaaallly important and I need to fix/regain this problem. PLEASE HELP! Thanks sooo much.

Answer 1

your hdd failed from my knowledge the only way to retrieve your info would be if have really really close connection with a FBI or your best friend is as hardcore hacked sorry once it fails it very unlikely to retrieve however it can be done...for a very expensive amount of money.....you see if its worth it...

Answer 2

From the error you are getting, it may be serious, or it may be nothing. Hopefully all that happened is that the hard disk and mounting tray came "unseated" from their connector on the motherboard, and you simply have to remove and re-insert the hard disk assembly and all will be OK.

Otherwise, the problem may be damage to the motherboard or to the hard disk. If the hard disk no longer spins up, and it doesn't show up in the BIOS setup even after being removed and re-inserted, you may have damaged the motherboard. If the hard disk does spin up--especially if it makes funny noises like clicking, grinding, or excessive seeking--but then fails to detect/load then you have damaged the hard disk.

The good news is that you will be able to keep using the computer--after you buy a new hard disk and re-install Windows. The bad news is that you've lost all your data unless you send it out for professional data recovery.

And contrary to what many people here have said, data recovery does NOT cost "thousands of dollars". It certainly isn't cheap, but most companies charge around $600 to $800 to disassemble your hard disk and read the data off the platters. It's really a moot point, because most people don't have data that's worth anywhere near that. At least for me, the cost of buying a new hard disk would exceed the value of any data that's on it.

In any case, there's a saying in my industry that there's two kinds of people: those who back up their data and those who wish they had. Hopefully next time you'll remember to take advantage of that CD burner and back up your important files periodically.

Answer 3

My hard drive decided to fry itself and it now does the same thing. Basically, your hard drive is fried and as everyone else has said, the only way to recover the information is to pay thousands of dollars for a recovery service. The only way to fix your laptop is to get a new hard drive, and reinstall windows.

Answer 4

Take it to a data recovery specialist. Most offer a free diagnostic. That way you will know what exactly the problem is. My company used these guys a few times and have no complaints.
http://www.cbltech.com

Answer 5

if in truth your hard drive is physically damaged internally, your only recourse is to send it to a data recovery specialist. unfortunately it will cost in the thousands of dollars to retrieve the data. take it to a computer repair shop, and see what they can do for you.

Answer 6

the hard drive is the most sensitive part of any computer, to much shock (like when it falls), almost always destroys it if not corrupting system files. have your manufacturer check on it and hopefully they can save the disk

Answer 7

Don't forget to check the obvious! Did the fall just knock the HDD out of place?

Answer 8

ok. you're able to be able to desire to place in an OS. maximum individuals deploy domicile windows and in case you do deploy domicile windows in case you have a decision bypass with domicile windows xp or domicile windows 7. you additionally can take it to a comp fix save and tell them to apply the cd key on the decrease back of your laptop and likewise tell them which you do not have the disk (till you have the restoration disk). you like a domicile windows disk or restoration disk to your laptop. you may get carry of the restoration disk each and every from time to time from the manufactures internet site to your laptop and likewise there must be a cd key on the backside of the laptop asserting the OS and the cd key for that OS and version. i might call the tech branch to your laptop for help, yet as i suggested you need to use that cd key and the two a restoration disk or a sparkling domicile windows disk. Say the label says domicile windows 7 32bit domicile version then you definately might could desire to arise with a domicile windows 7 domicile version disk and use that cd key. the alternative is only purchase yet another replica of domicile windows. tech branch ought to supply you some extra help with it. in case you get carry of the restoration disk however its going to be a picture report like .iso and your going to could desire to burn that to a dvd then placed it in the laptop and deploy the OS onto your laptop. different then that feel free to e mail me for extra precise training through fact i will't truly supply all of them to you at one time with out understanding in case you have a restoration disk or no longer.

Answer 9

Your data is probably safe, but your notebook is probably hosed. If you have accidental damage warranty, just pull your drive and call tech support. If not, pull your drive and take it to geek squad, data doctors, firedog, etc

Answer 10

Shut the laptop off. Remove the hard drive. Send the hard drive to somebody that specializes in data recovery. The service will be VERY expensive. As you're writing this check, cringing at the amount, allow it to teach you 2 lessons.
#1. Be careful with your laptop.
#2. BACK UP IMPORTANT DATA.
Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data. Back up important data.