HDD problems

[Kira]

The other day, my computer (2 HDDs) wouldn't boot.  I tracked it to my backup drive, a 2TB Seagate Barracuda, with a platter.  Unplugged it, and the other drive booted fine, but found that the 2TB was rather hot to the touch.  Not good.  Did some research, found the dreaded "clicking", that is, the read arm skipping and resetting as it failed to read - and apparently grinding scratches across the 1s and 0s as it went.  Confirmed it on another computer (with a quieter fan, so that I could hear the clicking).  The drive (and all my backups!) are most likely gone, but the only possibility the internet gave me of even a hope of recovering anything was sending it to a specialist in data recovery, which the sources stated would NOT be cheap, and also not be guaranteed, bordering on not worth it based on the probability that the HDD platter was scratched from the read arm skipping on it, and that the data is destroyed.

Thoughts?  Other options?

Thanks, all.

[FoolTrottel]

Immediately start making new backups

As for that defective disk: I'd maybe try and put it in the fridge for a while, make it real cool. Then re-connect it, who knows it may fire up.

But that's just a last resort attempt, more for laughs and giggles - as well, what if that would work? Now that'd be so cool!

 

I'd just count that disk as a loss.

[Kira]

Hmmmm, yeah.  I might try that cooling possibly.  Hate that I lost stuff all the way back to 2014, though.  Eh, my own fault for not making multiple backups.

[Kira]

Let it sit for a few days, and plugged it in on a whim today... It worked!  Immediately bought the only 2 TB drive available, and am currently in the process of moving the files over to that one.  Have the window open and the door closed, and it's COLD in here!  But the files shall be saved!  (In whole, I hope.)

[FoolTrottel]

6 hours ago, Kira said:

Let it sit for a few days, and plugged it in on a whim today... It worked!  Immediately bought the only 2 TB drive available, and am currently in the process of moving the files over to that one.  Have the window open and the door closed, and it's COLD in here!  But the files shall be saved!  (In whole, I hope.)

Wow, good show!