Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yes, especially the ones circa 2000.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Basic quick question...Mac or Windows operating system? If it’s Windows..is it Windows 10...There are a few steps I’ve used in the past to to recover data files & images...let me know...really simple...BTW, my background was a domain admin in IT for 30 + years...

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I went thru that 10+ years ago. Lost them. I now have 2 separate 8TB drives by date(all pictures as taken) and 2 8TB drives that I store my final work. About 3 months ago on drive seemed problematic and I replaced it with all the back storage.
I can't help you now but this will keep you from it happening again.

11bravo

Any lights on the external case? What make and model?

It is possible to crack the case and remove the drive; of course, this voids any warranty. AND certain Toshiba models (perhaps others) have a proprietary connection rather than the standard SATA data/power connectors on the HDD. It really depends on what has failed: the internal drive itself, or the external case/power supply, etc. Do you know WHY they said they couldn't recover?

I've used GetDataBack Pro several times to recover data from a drive, but the drive was able to spin. Paid, but free to try, but you do need a functioning HDD. It sounds cartoonish, but a mechanic's stethoscope (Harbor Freight) does work to hear if a drive is spinning.

For the future, I don't like the general type of external HDD's as most don't come with an internal fan. HEAT is the enemy. I prefer to buy an external "shell" case, such as the Rosewill RX-358 from Newegg, that has a small internal fan that works wonders keeping the drive cool, along with HardDisk Sentinel (https://www.hdsentinel.com) paid, to keep an eye on drive temps (both HDD and SDD). You simply buy an internal HDD and insert it in the case. Yes, it is 10 screws, but if you can use a screwdriver, not all that hard

Good luck on recovery.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

True. NAND flash storage needs to be powered up occasionally. I too have old thumb drives and the data is still readable, but I wouldn’t count on it for long term storage. To archive, I’d choose MDisks or cloud from a major provider.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

After you get past this, let me suggest that you:

a) assemble your own HD as has been suggested. Use an enterprise class drive and an enclosure with a fan
b) mirror this to a local backup - can be another HD, SSD or optical disk
c) then keep a 3rd off-site disaster recovery copy, such as cloud storage from a major cloud provider.

Then, you will never be in this position again.

Let us know if the drive spins up after you access it - you can feel the vibration or the gyroscopic effect by picking up the drive (while running) and turn it. Then we can discuss other steps for recovery based on what you find out.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Last week I purchased another WD Gold (enterprise) drive (one is in the desktop already) and will be cloning the desktop hard drive every so often (depends on system changes/software installations, not data as data is backed up regularly). The Gold drive is rated at a 2 million hour MTBF.

11bravo

Please advise: I'm always careful NOT to move an HDD while it's running, fearful of a head crash. Is that wrong? I always wait a minute after power off just to let the platters stop and the heads park. It's why I suggested a stethoscope. Is this unneeded carefulness? Thanks.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Waiting for the drive to spin down before moving it is VERY prudent.
There is a thing called the gyroscopic effect that could possibly cause problems when moving a drive when running. I ALWAYS wait!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

No, I get your concern and appreciate the caution. I wouldn’t provide any shocks or quick movements, I just turn it GENTLY 90 degrees or so while spinning AND idle and see if it resists the motion. Actually, I generally can feel if a drive is spinning, but a stethoscope will work fine too. If concerned, you can always unhook the data cable and just leave the power attached (assuming the drive doesn’t need a start command to spin up).

Caution is always a good thing where spinning disk is involved. The key here is finding out if the drive is spinning. The stethoscope is also good to hear if the head actuator is moving - easy to hear (and feel).

11bravo

Thanks for the response.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The heads float on an air bearing which is microns thick and the heads are under a bit of pressure to keep the bearing thickness consistent. You DON'T want to take a chance on screwing up that air bearing from any gyroscopic effect caused by case movement. GENTLE, SLOW movement should be okay.

How do I know this? I used to evaluate disk recording heads for Sperry Univac In the R&D (Research and Development) lab in the mid 70's...
I've seen quite s few head crashes also.

11bravo

Understand about air bearings... and why I am always careful. BTW: what's a safe time to allow for spin down and park?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The heads <normally> park before the spin down commences to ensure the bearing integrity while parking.
I've never really listened intently, just by normal hearing the drive in my desktop and when I have one in the external dock, it SOUNDS like usually less than 15 seconds, but I wait a minute anyway. I'm usually not THAT much in a hurry. My pocket drives are the ones that have the highest propensity to get moved, not so much the one(s) in the dock.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

It's easy. Just get another drive (preferably solid state), and copy the files to it from your other storage for those photos. Then dump the old drive. Wait --- you say you don't have a second copy of all the photos? Just shoot yourself.