Recovery methodology
OK, Laura. If the data can be recovered, it will be.
\r\nHere's the process. Details will follow later.
\r\n- We work out whether the computer can see the hard disk at all. We pop the lid on the computer, and we check that no cables have miraculously loosened themselves. If they have, we firmly reseat them and check again. Actually, we firmly reseat them anyway. \r\n
- If the computer cannot see the disk, and you don't have another computer to try the disk in, it's game over at this point. We meditate on the wisdom of regular backups, and buy another disk. Then we get to reinstall our OS. Blank disks are fun. We get to play with other operating systems. \r\n
- If the computer can see the disk, but the operating system refuses to start, what we want to do is use a "Live CD" operating system. These run entirely from the CD. This lets us connect to our dead or dying hard disk and copy the data to another medium, be that USB key or floppy disk or network or whatever. \r\n
- If the disk is genuinely faulty, the most important thing to remember is to do as little with it prior to data recovery. Many disk faults cause progressive data loss as time goes on, so early, decisive action is best. \r\n
- Once we've taken a backup of our important data, we can attempt a disk repair safe in the knowledge that a genuine drive fault won't cost us anything other than time. If it's just a few bad sectors, then we can use a disk utility to map them out and hopefully avoid the faff on of an OS reinstall. \r\n
- If the disk is less than 3 years old, we run the manufacturer's diagnostic utility, get the fault code, and RMA it. We then sell it on eBay.
Let us know when you're ready/willing to start. Don't power the machine up until then.
