Suspected dead HDD

paging @jumanji: what do you think? Seems like a dead disk to me, but maybe you have some ideas?

Hello scopio, jumanji will respond when he sees my message.

Hello @scopio,

Try this as an outside chance that you might be able to access the HDD and retrieve the data . . .

 Linux Live USB / DVD

A Linux Live USB / DVD is a good emergency method of retrieving data from an otherwise UN-bootable drive or if you are having other drive difficulties.

Basically . . .

[1] Download the Linux ISO - I always use Linux Mint although there are others available.
[2] Create a Bootable USB/DVD [ media ] using Rufus for example => Rufus.
[3] Boot the media.
[4] Copy the files from the OS to an external HDD/SSD or USB.

> Download Linux Mint 20 Ulyana

---

I hope this helps.

@scopio,
You will get better use out of a USB made for Linux by using Ventoy instead of Rufus:
Ventoy iso bootloader EASY installs from usb for any iso os file

Watch the video in the above link, then see:
livecd . Ventoy

Hello @scopio,

As mentioned above . . .

You might find this interesting and useful . . .

 Ventoy

About Ventoy:

Ventoy is an open source tool to create a bootable USB drive for ISO/WIM/IMG/VHD(x)/EFI files.

With Ventoy, you don't need to format the disk over and over, you just need to copy the ISO/WIM/IMG/VHD(x)/EFI files to the USB drive and boot them directly. You can copy many files at a time and Ventoy will give you a boot menu to select them.

Most types of OS are supported [ Windows/WinPE/Linux/Unix/VMware/Xen... ], including, x86 Legacy BIOS, IA32 UEFI, x86_64 UEFI, ARM64 UEFI and MIPS64EL UEFI.

Basically, depending on the size of the USB, you can have ALL your Bootable ISO's on the USB. Additionally, you can also have Portable Apps, Tools, Utilities, Folders, and Files, ALL on the Non-Bootable Partition of the USB.

> Ventoy - Main Page
> Ventoy - Screenshots
> Ventoy - Download Page
> Ventoy - The ULTIMATE USB Boot Drive [ Video ]

Also, @EdTittel, a Windows Insider MVP member, wrote this in his blog . . .

> TOP 3 2020 WINDOWS 10 UTILITIES

I have created a USB using Ventoy and find it an invaluable resource. It is probably the best thing that has ever happened to Bootable Media!

---

I hope this helps.

Hello @scopio,

scopio said:

I can understand steps 1 to 3 above but don't understand step 4.
Which OS files do I copy to USB and what do I do after that?

I assume that you are trying to recover your friends data?

Once you have Booted into Linux on the USB, go to the locations of their personal folders and files and COPY them to an eternal USB or HDD/SSD.

This is an excellent method of retrieving any folders or files because the HDD has hardly ANY load on it, as it would do if you were booted into the OS and running it online so to speak.

Once you have completed the transfer, just exit out of Linux and remove the USB.

I hope this helps.

Hello @scopio,

Try the Linux Live USB / DVD as per my post first using Rufus.