- jonathan_dyane
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- Location: Liverpool
Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
My hard drive died last month, and of course there was stuff on there which I hadn't bothered to back up, and was rather important. Today I came across a computer forum with a posting that suggested that you can often get a fucked hard drive to work for long enough to rescue data by giving it a session in the freezer
Despite being somewhat skeptical, I thought what have I got to lose (aside from frying a board in my computer anyway...) and having wrapped the drive in clingfilm I nestled it between some frozen peas and some chips.
Retrieved it after a few hours, plugged in my IDE - USB cable, and lo and behold the drive mounted and I was able to rescue what I needed
Sounded like a bag of hammers but...
Despite being somewhat skeptical, I thought what have I got to lose (aside from frying a board in my computer anyway...) and having wrapped the drive in clingfilm I nestled it between some frozen peas and some chips.
Retrieved it after a few hours, plugged in my IDE - USB cable, and lo and behold the drive mounted and I was able to rescue what I needed
Sounded like a bag of hammers but...
Jonathan.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
- mat_the_cat
- Centenial time waster
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- Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
What was the problem with the hard drive - if it cures the 'click of death' I'd be very interested! I.e. the head moving over the platter and continually crashing into the stops.
Last edited by mat_the_cat on 21 Jul 2009, edited 1 time in total.
- jonathan_dyane
- New Member
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- Joined: 07 Apr 2008
- Location: Liverpool
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Yep, that was indeed the symptom when I tried to mount the drive before the freezer treatment, constant click and no whirr...
Jonathan.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
- Bx Bandit
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Does it have to be peas and chips? Does cod and lasagne work too?
....There he goes, one of God's own prototypes, a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production......too weird too live.....and too rare to die
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
its not a cure, its a temp bodge, one that has been in existence for me since around 1996! Used it many times, even on an XBOX hard drive! Now all you need is a risc PC and you can fix broken sector permanantly, though no cure for the click of death yet!:(
- jonathan_dyane
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- Location: Liverpool
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Well, I have to say I have only tested it with chips and peas, and should you wish to risk substituting ingredients, do so with the knowledge that it is entirely at your own risk...
Jonathan.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
- Bx Bandit
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Ok, I think I'll risk cod and lasagne, but for some reason I wouldn't trust ice cream and definitely not sweet corn this needs thorough investigation.................
....There he goes, one of God's own prototypes, a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production......too weird too live.....and too rare to die
- jonathan_dyane
- New Member
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- Joined: 07 Apr 2008
- Location: Liverpool
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Might be best avoiding 'sweet' foods altogether, a hard drive is (correct me if I'm wrong) an intrinsically savoury item...
Jonathan.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
I think I need to stick the Picasso's computer in the freezer!!! It's started fooking about.
Telling me it's overheating when I just started from cold, fan cutting in and out. digital fuel gauge not going to full. cruise control ceased working. read out for fuel consumption freezes
Radio works fine but it keeps saying insert disc when it's already in and won't play.
Finally drivers door mirror folds outwards (instead of inwards) when switching on ignition about 1 in 10 starts, completely unbidden.
I fucking hate electrickery
Telling me it's overheating when I just started from cold, fan cutting in and out. digital fuel gauge not going to full. cruise control ceased working. read out for fuel consumption freezes
Radio works fine but it keeps saying insert disc when it's already in and won't play.
Finally drivers door mirror folds outwards (instead of inwards) when switching on ignition about 1 in 10 starts, completely unbidden.
I fucking hate electrickery
72... AND STILL ROCKIN..........around the world...... NOT in a chair yet
Now XBX And into HDI.....as well as other ...err.... things.
Now XBX And into HDI.....as well as other ...err.... things.
- Bx Bandit
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
haven't the french learnt by now that camembert is not a good conductor and brie is not 'la resistance'? It seems that lektrickery is not their strongest point!
I'd seriously take on board Mr Dyane's suggestion about avoiding sweet frozen foods though when placing your picarseole into cryogenic storage.......
I'd seriously take on board Mr Dyane's suggestion about avoiding sweet frozen foods though when placing your picarseole into cryogenic storage.......
....There he goes, one of God's own prototypes, a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production......too weird too live.....and too rare to die
- jonathan_dyane
- New Member
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- Joined: 07 Apr 2008
- Location: Liverpool
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Oh God, I feel for you, I really do. I really hope I never end up with a motor car with a computer, give me good old single-plexed non-intergrated wiring and things I can understand for the smoke to escape from any day, but not that...
(I'd check earths and connections on the Picasso, but would suspect the BSI could be up the swannee... If you're brave leaving it with the battery off overnight might help)
(I'd check earths and connections on the Picasso, but would suspect the BSI could be up the swannee... If you're brave leaving it with the battery off overnight might help)
Jonathan.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
- Bx Bandit
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Sounds familiar mate.............!!!!!jonathan_dyane wrote:Oh God, I feel for you, I really do. I really hope I never end up with a motor car with a computer, give me good old single-plexed non-intergrated wiring and things I can understand for the smoke to escape from any day, but not that...
Not being unkind to Jon here, but his 306 was/is a true bastion of French workhorse longevity...........it's the car that refuses to die, despite endless amounts of neglect and abuse (not perpetrated by Jon I might add...) A sturdy hand painted work horse....................
....There he goes, one of God's own prototypes, a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production......too weird too live.....and too rare to die
- jonathan_dyane
- New Member
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- Joined: 07 Apr 2008
- Location: Liverpool
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
And it did go on fire a bit last month, I have to admit... It has been a wonderful workhorse, however next week will be its last on the Queen's highway, and following me pulling the engine and box out (still fresh at 220 000+ miles, how many plus I don't know since the smoke escaped from the circuit that worked the speedometer amongst other things), it will head to the knackers yard. I may shed a tear...
Jonathan.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
Working vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 190D 2.5
Broken: GS 1220 Estate, Tomos Noped several MZ's, David Brown 30D.
- docchevron132
- Bus Warrior
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Poor little car...
Other good bodges..
Dead mobile phone battery?
Stick it in the oven for 20 mins on 200 deg C.
Dead car battery? Flash it across the mains (be prepared to run, very fast)
Dead car stereo? Hit it with a hammer.
Other good bodges..
Dead mobile phone battery?
Stick it in the oven for 20 mins on 200 deg C.
Dead car battery? Flash it across the mains (be prepared to run, very fast)
Dead car stereo? Hit it with a hammer.
1989 BX 17TD P2 Hybrid
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!
Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!
Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.
- Bx Bandit
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
I shan't be doing the mains thing for the car battery mate!
....There he goes, one of God's own prototypes, a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production......too weird too live.....and too rare to die
- Fish_Botherer
- New Member
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- Location: Sixty Feet up, wishing I still had a BX....but most likely bothering fish
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Another one: mobile (old-school Nokia) dropped into seawater while fishing, recovered after 2hrs immersion.
Remove battery (sure to be dead). Part-dismantle. Immerse in (tap) water. Flush under running tap, repeat, repeat repeatedly. Leave to dry near a gentle heat source for a few days. Reassemble. Fit new battery - bingo! The durn thing's still working two or three years later though it eats batteries somewhat faster than normal (£1.99 for replacements on ebay).
Remove battery (sure to be dead). Part-dismantle. Immerse in (tap) water. Flush under running tap, repeat, repeat repeatedly. Leave to dry near a gentle heat source for a few days. Reassemble. Fit new battery - bingo! The durn thing's still working two or three years later though it eats batteries somewhat faster than normal (£1.99 for replacements on ebay).
- docchevron132
- Bus Warrior
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
I dropped my old 3230 down the bog once.
Was having a piss, whilst chatting to dad on it. I was, er, seven sheets to the wind at this point.
Anyway, the phone fucked off into a sea of bog water and man piss.
Somewhat dead, I removed battery and mem card, threw it on the heater and left for 2 days.
Plugged back in, viola!
Although the keypad backlights were always on for ever from that point, even if you switched it off...
Was having a piss, whilst chatting to dad on it. I was, er, seven sheets to the wind at this point.
Anyway, the phone fucked off into a sea of bog water and man piss.
Somewhat dead, I removed battery and mem card, threw it on the heater and left for 2 days.
Plugged back in, viola!
Although the keypad backlights were always on for ever from that point, even if you switched it off...
1989 BX 17TD P2 Hybrid
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!
Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!
Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.
- Fish_Botherer
- New Member
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- Joined: 04 Apr 2009
- Location: Sixty Feet up, wishing I still had a BX....but most likely bothering fish
Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Rinsed and/or "flushed", hopefully.....
- docchevron132
- Bus Warrior
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Erm, well, at the time I was rather too drunk to worry about silly things like that, but I did run it under the tap for a while the following morning!
1989 BX 17TD P2 Hybrid
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!
Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!
Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.
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Re: Dead hard drive? Stick it in the freezer...
Well now everyone has had a laugh. Does anyone think it could be something to do with my altercation with that bollard, a couple of months back, It did do £2000 worth of damage.????????????????
72... AND STILL ROCKIN..........around the world...... NOT in a chair yet
Now XBX And into HDI.....as well as other ...err.... things.
Now XBX And into HDI.....as well as other ...err.... things.