problem with a Seagate 2 TB hard drive not initializing

Posted Jan 31st in the Quick facts about meltdown and Spectre forum

https://hardforum.com/threads/quick-facts-about-meltdown-and-spectre.1951795/page-5#post-1043478836


So have you noticed a difference since Microsoft and others have been trying to patch for spectra and meltdown. I don't know if it is the patches or something else, but my system which has ran flawlessly since building it 2 years ago is just slow now. Programs take longer to open. Programs are stalling and freezing now and even clicking the mouse is frustrating. Nothing happens, then it speeds through the action, but because my mouse is no longer where I clicked it the action cancels out. I have ran Malware Bytes and Webroot. Both say everything is fine. I am about to try the refresh Windows option or a new install.

Anyone else having problems?

Posted last night and to in the same forum

Well it wasn't windows patches slowing my system down - my data drive has quit working. I tried simple things like checking the sata and power cables. At times Windows sees the drive and i can access the info slowly. During one of these times I tried making a fresh backup of my data and ended up screwing up my old backup.

When I plug in and power up the disk sometimes nothing happens sometime the disk is visible and under disk management it says that I need to initialize the disk, but I can't. There are 2 partition types listed under the option MBP and GPT neither works. The drive spins and sounds ok. I am assuming from the info in disk management that the partition has been damaged somehow . But it is just a guess on my part..

I downloaded the free version Easeus data recovery, but it doesn't see the disk in its current state.
From what I can tell the free software didn't have the partition tools. Also tried the free copies of Mini Tool Partition Wizard, Data recovery Pro, R-Undelete. Many of these programs didn’t come with the partition tools in the free version. And the one or two that did. Couldn’t find the drive although it is showing in Win 10 disk management as not initialized

I do mind purchasing a copy? Any recommendations for a good program? Seem to be lots of programs out there but I don't know which one to purchase.

All suggestions and advice would be appreciated

did you try changing the cable and/or port its on?

Yes I did. It isn't the cable or port. both work with the DVD drive.

I'd hook it up with a USB -> SATA adapter (and if you don't have one, shame on you, they are $10). If disk management can see the disk but can't do anything with it, you might need to go into DISKPART and blow the existing partitions away. FYI - that will erase all data. Google DISKPART for more info, but be aware, it is a sharp tool and will hurt you if you are not very careful.

Also while hooked up via USB or whatever you should be able to run HD diags, I think for Seagate it's called Seatools. Google it. Run the diags and it will tell you if you have a bigger problem or not.


Also, please keep in mind that any drive is prone to failure at ANY point with NO warning... but for Seagate drives.... Not trying to start arguments, just sayin'

Ordered the adapter now and should be delivered tomorrow. Will look into the software nest. Thanks for the advice. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Got my adapter and fired up the drive and plugged it into a usb port. Seatools saw the drive but didn't recognize anything on it. Ran the quick scan and fix but it timed out than the drive wasn't seen. seems that once the drive warms up it disappears. Also downloaded Stellar Phoenix data recovery. but I think that I waited too long trying the Seatools. Will let the drive set for a while and try again with the data recovery program.

Not feeling too hopeful at this point any suggestions?

So I got a program (Active File Recovery) to find the drive. When it started searching the drive I could here a clicking sound. It found the data then the drive disappeared from the drive tree on the left. So the sound makes my think that there is physical damage to the disk.

Don't know what the next steps sound be.

Any help would be appreciated.

Imo at this point (witht the noise) I would say the drive is toast and you would need to go to a specialised company to get your data retrieved if there is some, if still under warranty try to get it replaced if there is nothing on there you want back.

Chances are that the more you keep trying to "fix" the problem it will only make the damage worse

Well unless your willing to pay for very expensive data recovery services the drive is likey toast.

People have mentioned freezing the drive (saying the thermal expansion/contraction can move the head or actuators)...
You can try swapping PCB's from similiar drives (but the clicking sound most likely means the heads are shot)...


I've heard other fairy tales for HDD failure...the only thing that's ever worked for me was the PCB swap on a drive which was simply not even spinning up, changed the PCB with the same model and everything worked great. But I've never recovered a drive that's made the click of death.

Hi LaAaZ,! Seagate here. We are sorry to hear you're experiencing some trouble with your drive. Definitely do not try to do too much with the drive yourself if it's making any sort of clicking noise. When when this happens, every time the drive is powered up, it could put any recoverable data at risk.


If you think the drive may be under warranty, you can check this using our Warranty Validation tool. If needed for any reason, you can also get in touch directly with Seagate Customer Support here.

Yep, clicking is bad. Check your warranty status and maybe you can get an RMA replacement like Seagate_Surfer said.

Oh, another utility to try is Spinrite.... but again if it's clicking you have bigger problems. Clicking is the sound of the "arm" banging against something it's not supposed to.

If it's NOT in warranty.... and you're super desperate to retrieve something super important.... try the freezer trick. Google it. But only if it's a lost cause. Short version is throw it in a baggie and stick in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then pull and plug into USB adapter, and try to get your data... QUICKLY. It won't last long. I've done this a couple times out of desperation way back in the day, I don't know if it's even viable on modern drives.

If all is lost... take it out to the range and use it for target practice.

Drive is out of warranty. Tried to access it a few more time. Active Undelete sees the drive. Sometimes, the clicking almost isn't there,. But once it is scanned it is like windows freezes for a second and kicks the drive off the system. Maybe it is desperation, but I think I will try some sort of boot disk.

Although I must admit the target practice option is starting to sound like a great idea

I presume this is a Seagate Baracuda? I had one in my brand-new Dell desktop last year. It died after 3 or 4 days. Dell sent the replacement, but I'm now leery of buying Baracudas. Maybe WD Black would be a better choice? Spend just a few bucks more.

It was, but the drive was used for many years. I had a WD die on me too about 15 years ago. This is the first time I've lost data though. And I can't blame that one on the drive.

Make a Backup WHILE you can !

#1 Rule

I've learn't to use a program called HD Sentinel, which gives a rough idea the life of the HD and how much life is left before it dies, seems to work ok, previously had a 2TB HD die on me, lost everything. Now when HD Sentinel states I have about 150 days left on the HD, I start to backup on a new HD, whether it's accurate or not, it's not important, the informations is approximate.

So I tried a few different kinds of software, but couldn't get any of them to work. With 1 or 2, I could see the files, but when I tried to access them , everything would disappear. Took the drive to a local computer shop and they had the same results. Their software could see the data, but couldn't access it. They shipped it to a company that specializes in data recovery. This place said that they could retrieve all my data for 1,150 dollars. I said that was way too much money.. They then said that they could take longer and do it in their spare time for 650 dollars. I asked them if they would do it for 400 and they sent my drive back.

So what do you think they would have done for 650 dollars to retrieve my data?

Did you try spinrite? https://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm

LaAaZ said:

So what do you think they would have done for 650 dollars to retrieve my data?

Click to expand...

I assume the platters would be removed and hooked up to another controller. Sometimes it can be done platter by platter but that takes a long time and you wind up with partial recover if a whole platter is damaged. If the controller is bad, or the heads / motor are bad, those can be replaced. It's not cost friendly, as you just discovered. And they do this stuff in a clean room, exposed platters don't take kindly to dust or fingerprints.