2.5" Western Digital WD HDD has problems!!! Freezing ... help please

HulaHula · Mar 5, 2017

Hi, so possibly a very basic problem but I looking for some suggestions please ...

My laptop (median 4yrs+ old) starting having problems when I did a load of windows updates to get some software on it. It got slower and then just kept freezing after starting.

I tried removing the HDD for an ext usb to see if I could copy over some files just in case. It would be recognized in the other PC but wasn't coping over and seemed to have issues.

My question is what should I do to save the HDD data?

I don't hear clicking and hope that it may be a software issue on the HDD which could possibly be repaired but is there any software anyone can suggest.

I decided to just stop trying to start my old median laptop, and then decided to stop trying to use the usb until I can ge some advise.

Btw not everything is backed up ... hence the problem, I know it has to happen one day!!

Ralston18 · Mar 5, 2017

How full is the current HDD? My rule is to have at least 1/3 to 1/4 of the available drive space unused.

Has any maintenance or cleaning been done on the HDD?

You state that you tried to remove the HDD - appears that you actually did so and installed the HDD in some USB case. Is that correct?

Have you noted any error messages from the laptop?

HulaHula · Mar 6, 2017

Thanks for the reply

It is a 500GB (WD Scorpio Blue) and I would think it's less than half full because I haven't dumped many large files on that one.

I'm not completely sure of the name but I seem to think the windows did run the course of Checkdisk??. That was one thing I wondered if I should try and run again, either via Safe Mode or a boot disk as windows was to slow and freezing to get access to the Checkdisk option via Run ...

Yes I have used an ext caddy and it wasn't always appearing and wouldn't let me fully search and copy over files. I stopped to avoid any further damage.

I don't remember any error messages at that point. I did have issues after the Win7 32bit updates I did, but found the files. I'm sorry I didn't do a copy of everything and do the 64bit update I need!!!

I've been wondering if there are any good repair options and I did find Spinrite 6 which seems interesting (albeit complex looking) but don't feel inclined to spend the $89 to try it.

Ralston18 · Mar 6, 2017

Download and run the WD Diagnostic software for your Scorpio Blue.

There may be some risk involved as any additional disk activity could cause a final HDD failure.

However, there are some WD techs who monitor this forum. If you can wait for a day or so, one of the WD techs may offer further suggestions.

HulaHula · Mar 6, 2017

Oh thanks didn't think of that WD software.

Should add I've just tried via the ext caddy again and it causes my other (soon to be backed up within an inch of it's life) laptop to freeze after it has slowly found the drive.

Then I'm forced to hard reboot which I don't like doing.

This is why I'm thinking I need a DOS tool to help, if any!!

Ralston18 · Mar 6, 2017

A DOS tool (or any other tool for that matter) is unlikely to resolve some physical problem.

May even make things worse.

See what the WD software finds and post the results.

But remember that any little thing (hardware or software) could push the drive over the edge to uselessness. And lost data.

HulaHula · Mar 7, 2017

Ok so I tried the DOS WD DOSDLG 5.27 Data Lifeguard Diagnostics as the windows ones didn't seem to respond.
I used a bootable usb as suggested on the WD site.

The Quick Test was -

'complete without errors'
error/status code: 0000

Next I did the Extended Test. Result was less good -

'Too many errors found - please contact technical support'
error/status code: 0225

I did take some screen shots if that helps.

Any suggestions? I was considering HDD Regenerator which is on Hirens Boot CD and seems to have good reports.
I just want to have a chance at getting as many files off this as I can, I say 'just' !!.

Ralston18 · Mar 8, 2017

Anything you do risks loss of data (or further loss perhaps).

I would hold on doing anything pending some input via WD or other source.

If waiting is not viable then contact WD support directly and give them the error code information.

Then you can decide what level of risk you wish to take.

HulaHula · Mar 8, 2017

Thanks I'm not in any mad rush for anything on that laptop(HDD) at the moment anyway. I do back things up in a haphazard unorganized way so hopefully I have copies of photos and important work but I really need to check, what you don't have you don't miss ... when I think of something I may have more problems.

I hope a WD person can add some input into this, but as you say I should just contact them directly too. Either way I think any results will be of interest to others. On the SW HDD Regenerator I had a search on these forums and found some much less encouraging comments about its usefulness.

The WD 'Ext. Test' got about 2/3 the way through before it stopped which suggests to me that there could be a way of getting access to this earlier part (optimist!). If in the process of getting access to this any bad sectors are wiped/skipped, that doesn't matter. Chances are I''ll get enough access. Maybe??

HulaHula · Mar 13, 2017

So I've contacted WD with the details of the problem and test results but no reply. Not sure how long it normally takes but if any WD techs read this please could you give me some input.

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