[MsChessie]

Hi, this is my first post. Help! I will try to be as precise as I can with the problem.

My computer started acting up--ridiculously slow, I mean one problem was simply waiting minutes for the curser to move from one spot to another, etc. And when trying to download large files (movies), it would say "not enough memory" on the drive.  (I had been using up a lot of memory with pictures, music, movies, etc. but come on!) I also have had to restart the computer a few times manually due to freezing up, etc. and I had gotten a "black screen of death"? (never heard of a black screen of death) but also got a "blue screen of death", too.

I was also using a Seagate external hard drive mostly for saving music and pictures. My son had put a partition on it as a emergency recovery partition.  

When I started having problems, I did all the normal stuff like clearing out everything possible and getting rid of unnecessary programs, virus scanning (TrendMicro), defragmented, etc., etc., etc.

I was told I should do a total system recovery. So, I bought another  4T Hard Drive (a My Book) and started saving all my important files to it--Pics, music, movies, documents, Outlook Files incl. contacts, etc.-- everything I was afraid I might lose. Everything except what was on my Seagate External Hard Drive.

When I originally went to do the recovery, I  couldn't get to the partitioned emergency recovery, I didn't understand why, but I decided to do the

normal total system recovery and re-install windows. When I proceeded, it called for the recovery disc. I put the recovery disc I had in. It proceeded okay, then called for the second disc. What second disc? I couldn't find one.

I cannot remember exactly when this happened or what steps I took or when, but at one point, a screen came up that said "eminent hard drive failure".

Anyway, after it asked for a second disc, which I didn't have (not sure why), I tried to get the BIOS to go to the emergency partition on the Seagate External hard drive. It didn't work.

I had to wait for my son-in-law to come fix my mess. He reinstalled Windows and got my computer going, but now the Seagate won't boot up; it says there is nothing there?!?  I know (or rather hope desperately!) that it's still there, somewhere, somehow! But how do I get to it and save  all my music and pictures? My brother-in-law is some what of a computer geek, but he hasn't had any luck getting to it. 

Are there other programs or things that can be done to get to my stuff on that drive? Please help! I am desperate!

I do not know if I am suppose to do this, but you may email me at: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Edited by phillpower2, 24 June 2014 - 11:45 AM.
email address removed for security.

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  MsChessie

 

Can you tell us what type of steps and what programs have been used to try and recover your data.

 

Just a FYI, no assistance is offered or permitted outside of the open forums and that by including your email address in your post you are putting yourself at risk of undesirables such as spammers etc.

[phillpower2]

  MsChessie

 

Can you tell us what type of steps and what programs have been used to try and recover your data.

 

Just a FYI, no assistance is offered or permitted outside of the open forums and that by including your email address in your post you are putting yourself at risk of undesirables such as spammers etc.

[paws]

MsChessie,

 

Please note that GeekstoGo does not specifically recommend the application" Remo Recover" mentioned by beavon.

 

Larger quantities of data that need to be recovered can sometimes be accessed by free recovery tools, but others (like Remo Recover)  often place restrictions, or a fairly low limit, on the quantity of data that may be recovered without paying for a more comprehensive version.

 

phillpower2 is an experienced and well respected Tech Staff Technician, with over 13000 posts to his credit, who has regularly and consistently provided high quality, accurate guidance over the years to the many members here at GeekstoGo.

 

It might be wise for you to wait for a more detailed response from phillpower2, as this is likely to be the best way of you achieving a satisfactory outcome to your problem.

Regards

paws

[phillpower2]

Thank you for the additional guidance and kind words paws   

 

For the benefit of others that may read this thread, the reason that no initial data recovery suggestions were made was due to the OP stating the following "My brother-in-law is some what of a computer geek, but he hasn't had any luck getting to it" this suggests that data recovery software and/or methods have already been tried but without success, we need to know what has been tried already so that only potentially productive suggestions are made, one such suggestion could be the Puppy Linux method as detailed below;

 

 =================== 

***Required Hardware*** 

CD Burner (CDRW) Drive, 

Blank CD, 

Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)

=================== 

 

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

• Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso) 

   

  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software 

   

  There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivel...e-from-windows/ 

   

   

   

• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer 

   

   

• Extract All files to a location you can remember 

   

   

• Double Click BurnCDCC 

   

   

• Click Browse and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded 

   

   

• Open/Double Click that file 

   

  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x 

   

• Click Start  

   

   

• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically 

   

   

• Insert a blank CD and close the tray 

   

   

• Click OK 

   

   

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created

 

 

2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second 

 

•  

   

   

• Start the computer/press the power button 

   

   

• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup" 

   

  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen) 

   

• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to: 

   

  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd 

   

• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk 

   

   

• Press F10 to save and exit 

   

   

• Agree with "Y" to continue 

   

   

• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD 

   

   

   

   

 

 

 

 

3.  Recover Your Data 

 

• Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM).  You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer".  Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning.  Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy.  To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once.  Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to.  This is normal.  Ready?  Let's get started. 

   

   

  3a. Mount Drives 

   

• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.  

   

   

• A Window will open.  By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted.  Click on Mount for your hard drive. 

   

   

• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount. 

   

   

• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted. 

   

   

• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab.  Mount it now. 

   

   

 

 

3b. Transfer Files.

•  

   

   

• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon. 

   

   

• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1 

   

   

• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1 

   

   

• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows) 

   

   

• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window. 

   

   

 

 

For The Novice:  The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos. 

 

Remember to only click once!  No double clicking!  Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy.  Choose COPY each time you drag and drop. 

 

YOU ARE DONE!!!  Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer.  Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're doing this to recover from a virus or malware infection, (or even if you're not), DO NOT copy executable files (.exe, .scr. etc...) if any of these files are infected you could be copying the corruption over to any new device/computer. just copy documents, pictures, music, or videos.

[donetao]

Hello phillpower! I have a great walk through that explains how to burn the ISO and use Puppy Love to recover data.

Nothing wrong with your explanation but thought this might help!!

http://www.winhelp.u...uppy-linux.html

PS I agree with Paw 100% phillpower knows his stuff!

Edited by donetao, 28 June 2014 - 02:49 PM.

[phillpower2]

Thanks donetao 

[MsChessie]

As soon as a I have a chance to find out what he used, I will report back. It's been busy here and he's been out of town.

Thanks, MsChessie

[phillpower2]

No worries and thanks for the update