has anyone ever sent a hard drive in for data recovery (looking for photos/music/Word files.) got a SHOCKING estimate (almost $1000.00!!!) today...need to look around. any ideas/recomendations? thanks.

Is it an external drive? Or are you handy with a screwdriver?

One trick is to seal the drive in a zip-lock bag and put it in the freezer overnight. Sometimes this can buy you enough extra minutes of life to transfer the data over to a new drive.

For future “lessons learned” reference: For off-line backup of all my files, I use ElephantDrive. So far it's been a happy waste of money... haven't had to use them to recover lost files. Yet. —Ted E.

I used GEEK Tek 877-433-5835 when our hard drive crashed. It cost 300+. I think I would try the freezer trick first.

I know this is hindsight, but get carbonite, mosey or even upload to kodak easy share. It works in the background and you can access it from any computer.

I second the freezer trick. In addition you may try to unplug the drives cables power and controller check the contacts/clean and try again. I had a drive that would "crap" out due to a lousy connection. If you have an extra cable, try switching it .

The sata power connection is not my favorite seems to get loose.

Good luck!

Easy share has an online backup program? I have all of the software on my desktop from an old Kodak cam, but I didn't know there was an online backup, too.

FWIW: I keep most of my files backed up on an extra hard drive, just in case.

I do the external HD thing too. I have a buffalo nas raid which also acts as a media server. Very reliable.

I still like the off site storage, just in case someone walks off with my drive or the place goes up in smoke.

There is a place in Downers Grove, or Lisle. I forgot the name but I can try to find it. Microcenter recommended it.

Howdy, is this the boot drive for the computer? or is it an extra drive you have? If this is the boot drive and windows will not start, in most cases only the boot portion of the disk is corrupt, in which case you can recover your data without a problem.

If this is the case, simply purchase an external hard drive enclosure that can accomodate your disk drive. These are usually no more than $20-$30 at Fry's and connect to another computer via the USB cable.

Here is a list of some from Amazon

no..it's a hard drive that's been removed from my kid's laptop (apple.) i got a staggering estimate (almost 1000.00) yesterday from an outfit in oakbrook. all i'm looking for are the photos and Word files.
also, the freezer won't work since it's not IN a laptop anymore.
and of course, she bought the external hard drive (and didnt use it) 3 days before the crash...of course.
lupechennel: if it's not too much trouble i'd appreciate the microcenter recommended place.

Howdy, can you start it up in Target mode? Then you could transfer the files to another mac?

the authorized mac repair store couldnt do anything, i guess. so, we replaced the hard drive so she had something to use (and it was covered by insurance. something like 35.00 a year to insure a laptop...BEST money i've ever spent. data recovery, though, is not included.)

The freezer trick works. Saved many a data with it.

If it is not in a computer, you can purchase a little item at Frys that will allow you to plug a drive into a device that plugs into a USB port. They run a couple dozen dollars and you can connect SATA, IDE, etc... just like you connect an external drive.

like this:

External drive connector

If your drive is actually damaged:

I have used 4-5 or so companies ranging from $200 to $13k.

local I used:

total access

not local I used:

Ontrack

Salvage

Don't pay more than $200 for a personal drive fix.

Sorry - spaced out there for a while...
Okay -they come highly recommended, however, I never got around to using them... -?? don't know why I didn't bother but I just didn't, but anyway - Datamedics -I had the town wrong - way off sorry about that- it's Countryside 24 E Plainfield Rd, maybe they moved and they were closer before,??? oh well,
(between 6th Ave & La Grange Rd)
Countryside, IL 60525

(708) 352-9336 It states most recoveries $160.00 or less... hmmmm
datamedics
Good luck, they may be able to crack the disk!!
If you Google them -they look pretty reputable.
Watch -it's the company that said they'd charge you $1,000.00!

(PS I love my Lacie drive)

so bry, if i try the thingamigig from frys do i freeze the hard drive first? when it's frozen do i then drizzle chocolate sauce on it? (ha ha)
yeah, the 1000 bucks IS nuts...i'll look into all of your suggestions!
thanks!

NOT the same company! thanks!

is the drive actually dead, or is the operating system dead on it? I bet if you plugged it into the thing I posted or connected internally into another machine, the data will be there.

not sure. but i took it to fry's, and for 34.00 they'll diagnose, and then data recovery is no more than 149.00
but, if they say that the OS is dead (vs. the drive, right? dead drive means no go, right?) i'll try to get that thing you suggested. best wishes to your friends who are near haiti and thanks!