Seagate SSHD data recovery needed

[carmen617]

Had a client bring me an unbootable Dell AIO system with a 500GB Seagate SSHD (ugh) model #st500lm000 installed. From what I can see, drive is toast. Although it showed up on the boot options menu, it didn't appear in the BIOS, and Dell diagnostics reported no drive installed. I tried booting with Hirens and that didn't see the drive as well. After removing the drive I put it in a dock to see if it would appear - nothing. The drive tries to spin and emits a low pitched beep about 10 times, then dead silence.

The client has never backed up this drive, and tells me she has many gigs of pictures on there that she wants back. She thinks she can track down some of them as they are still on camera cards, etc, but she wants to know about data recovery. I told her i would look into data recovery options for her, thus this post. I know there are several data recovery pros who contribute to these forums - what do you think are the chances the photos can be recovered, and what's a reasonable estimate of the cost?

 

[Diggs]

I'll let the experts weigh in here -
@lcoughey
@labtech
@DataMedics

 

[lcoughey]

I just recovered a few of those drives over the past couple weeks. Frequently they are relatively simple cases for us with stuck heads and/or firmware issues or a corrupt NAND that we recover at our minor rate of $400 CAD (~ $240 USD after 20% discount and CAD to USD conversion).

The audio that you describe certainly points at stuck heads. What we don't know is how bad the surface damage is from the heads and if the heads are salvageable. If it is worth our minor rate, it is worth sending my way.

Edit: Please don't try any DIY ideas from the internet to free up the stuck heads. They will only make matters worse, the odds of success lower and the cost of recovery higher.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Send it to Recovery Force, Inc. @lcoughey. They will get you taken care of.

 

[carmen617]

Edit: Please don't try any DIY ideas from the internet to free up the stuck heads. They will only make matters worse, the odds of success lower and the cost of recovery higher.

Nope - drive is sitting with a name label on it waiting to be sent to a pro.

 

[Markverhyden]

@carmen617 give @labtech a jingle. He's just over in Dedham. https://www.datarecoveryguru.com/

Just trying to keep it local when possible.

 

[lcoughey]

@labtech is good, but I'm better looking.

 

[Larry Sabo]

@labtech is good, but I'm better looking.

Now that your face is covered with hair?

 

[labtech]

@carmen617 give @labtech a jingle. He's just over in Dedham. https://www.datarecoveryguru.com/

Just trying to keep it local when possible.

Mark & Luke: thanks for the endorsement. Much appreciated.
We have locations in Boston & Cambridge too.
We also pick up for free.
@carmen617, please, let us know if you would like a free diagnosis!
I am sure you will like the personalized service.

 

[lcoughey]

Now that your face is covered with hair?

Just trying to be more like my mentor in Ottawa. Working on the grey hair too.

 

[DataMedics]

Since you're in Boston anyway, I'm sure @labtech can help.

Or, you could send it down here to us in Providence and we could handle it for you.

Sending to @lcoughey in Canada is a good way to save on the exchange rate, but the shipping back and forth will probably negate the savings. For some reason, I can ship to Malaysia for half the price of shipping to Canada, despite the fact that I can drive there in a few hours.

 

[MudRock]

@lcoughey just did one for me. Fast, affordable and a good job.