How to recover data from a non-functional Hard Drive

A non-functional hard drive will not load the operating system, but you may still be able to recover data from it. If you already tried a re-installation in place of your operating system (which destroys the previous installation, but not your data files), you have several methods available to attempt data recovery. Things you need
computer hard drive failed
device or media containing "boot disk" software
work computer, it is recommended
Freezer, recommended


insert or attach a device (floppy disk, optical disk, USB flash drive or external hard drive) boot disk containing software. Some examples are Windows 98 boot files, Bart PE, the Ultimate Boot Disk or a small Linux distribution.


Start the computer and boot from the startup disk. Pay attention to prompts: You may be prompted to press a specific button to start from the boot device instead of the hard drive. If your computer does not try to boot from your boot device, enter the computer's BIOS and change the boot order so that it gives you that option. BIOS of the computer is different, depending on its creator: F1, F2 or Delete will usually take you to your BIOS. Browse menus to find the BIOS boot order. Place the device you want to start from the top of the list.


Run a tool that will show you the files on your computer's hard drive. If your tool boot is a boot disk Windows 98, the command to do this is typically "dir c:" (without the quotes), where c: is the drive letter assigned to your hard drive. Tools more sophisticated graphical tools for startup will allow you to search their files. If you see your files on the hard drive, your data is probably intact.


Copy your files to offline storage such as a USB flash drive or a second hard drive.

data recovery after removing the hard disk


With the computer off, remove the hard drive. Follow procedures for proper grounding and just deal with the drive by the sides so you do not damage it.


Mount the hard drive into a working computer. With the computer off, you can physically mount the drive in a computer with an extra connector type requires hard drive, or you can mount the hard drive on an external hard drive enclosure. Make sure to use a cabinet of the right size and the right to your hard drive connector. After you mount the drive in an external enclosure, connect the enclosure to computer.If work the computer does not detect the drive automatically, use the instructions that came with the cabinet to ensure that the cabinet is installed correctly. Re-start your computer. If the computer still does not detect the drive, the drive may be too damaged to data to be recovered in this way.


Click on "My Computer" (or Windows Explorer) to browse the non-functional hard drive. If your files are listed, copy them to the hard disk of the working computer or other storage. If your files are not listed, the unit may be too damaged to data to be recovered in this way.


Wrap seal the unit non-functional hard drive in a plastic bag and place it in your freezer. After 48 hours or more, remove the hard drive, unseal the bag and place it in a safe place to come to room temperature place. To be completely safe, let the car rest there for 24 hours before proceeding to make sure that there is no rest or hard disk condensation.


Replace the computer's hard disk or hard drive enclosure with the computer off. Turn on the computer and check to see if you can see your files. If so, try to copy them to a different device. If not, the services of professional data recovery can only be able to recover some or all of your data.