*EMERGENCY* Dying, but not dead hard drive!.. What is the best recovery software?

[alien3dx]

Just a reminder (for those who need to know): a backup is TWO copies, preferably in different locations/on different media.

mostly backup one or more depend . Normal user don't archive their backup to tape.

The most issue is what critical level the backup 1 TB . It might be a lot of raw big file image or video which TS don't answer. If he try to copy the large one without batch by batch it will troublesome and the disk will totally slow .

The most important is to first aid first , then copy manually one by one important first. Before that , need to prepare larger then 1 TB space, it will long day since sata 3 not as fast you think.

 

[artfossil]

mostly backup one or more depend . Normal user don't archive their backup to tape.

The most issue is what critical level the backup 1 TB . It might be a lot of raw big file image or video which TS don't answer. If he try to copy the large one without batch by batch it will troublesome and the disk will totally slow .

The most important is to first aid first , then copy manually one by one important first. Before that , need to prepare larger then 1 TB space, it will long day since sata 3 not as fast you think.

You’ve missed my point, which is a simple one but it bears repeating. If you only have one backup if it fails (or when it fails) then you have NO backup. That’s why it’s prudent to have two backups.

(Critical, irreplaceable data should have multiple back ups.)

 

[Realityck]

You’ve missed my point, which is a simple one but it bears repeating. If you only have one backup if it fails (or when it fails) then you have NO backup. That’s why it’s prudent to have two backups.

(Critical, irreplaceable data should have multiple back ups.)

Most only need one backup for a existing Mac. You already have the data in two places with that scenario. A business can choose to use 2 backup copies in two different locations for maximum data security. If you had to you could buy iCloud storage easily enough if need to decrease risk. That certainly qualifies as two backups in two different places.

 

[alien3dx]

You’ve missed my point, which is a simple one but it bears repeating. If you only have one backup if it fails (or when it fails) then you have NO backup. That’s why it’s prudent to have two backups.

(Critical, irreplaceable data should have multiple back ups.)

as i mention how critical is the backup ? Yeah for me , i do normally in the web , external drive or maybe can consider icloud as backup.But how critical it is . That's the main important.

When disk failure , some tiny bad block will slowdown copy one big video by example. Backup the smaller size reduce the possible tiny bad block disk and copying much faster.

In the future , maybe TS can learn must have two backup or more .But now the main problem how to copy to another hard drive.

** we do before got issue on failure normal sata , ssd also after 5 years. So this part maybe people rare think ssd can also failure. so the best need to keep in mind 5 years copy to other medium which uptodate.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Hard lesson to learn. Use 3-2-1

 

[BrianBaughn]

"Backup" is a relative term. For example, a Time Machine "backup" keeps a backup of your current state but it also keeps a version of previous states. The previous states really aren't duplicated anywhere else and if TM is your only backup system then the TM is the only place you'll have these previous states. Thus, they aren't really "backed up".

Does the OP know what the result of a recovery service is going to look like? It seems not…and it can be ugly.

 

[Fishrrman]

A recovery service is also going to be VERY expensive.
I don't believe the OP has any idea of what this may cost him... YET.

OP:
The problem drive is a backup drive?
That is, the copies of data that are on it, exist in other places as well?
At least some of it?

If so...
You need to get pencil and paper, and start figuring out WHICH data exists elsewhere.
Then, you need to copy only the data that is "unique" to the problem drive somewhere else.

 

[aaron321]

I apologize for not getting the proper specs of the drive last time, but I was afraid of actually picking up the drive while it was copying valuable files.

It's a WD brand 8TB MyBook, more than likely this one:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1273853-REG/wd_wdbbgb0080hbk_nesn_8tb_my_boo.html/specs

The copy speed has decreased by about 1000 percent. I took two of my most recent folders (most important ones) and successfully copied them, but the copying process actually took about 4-5 five days to complete. Right before I made the effort to copy, there was a day when the hard drive icon actually disappeared from the desktop and the Disk Utility app. Scary.

By the way, I am on Mac, Mojave 10.14.4. Tons of people were asking me questions about processor type, etc, but this is an older Intel Mac. it doesn't have any newer features added since the last decade. Maxed out Mac Pro 1.1 or something.

Since this has happened, I realized that now is the time to go to a specialist, since the drive has not completely died. However, I am posting this because I still have a lot of questions. Here they are:

1) People have suggested that I just buy a hard drive enclosure/ drive caddy. Take the defective drive out of the WD external case, then transfer it to the enclosure, and see if the defective drive reacts well to being copied onto another 8TB drive (which I have purchased and it's ready to go) To me, this sounds like the safest option, although it still requires me to unplug the defective drive, which might mess it up, in my opinion.

2) People have suggested that I use HDDSuperclone, but honestly, I feel like this thing is so complex that I don't know where to start. I wish I knew someone who would attempt to use this software on my drive.

3) People have suggested that I avoid using basic software or drag and drop cloning as this may kill the drive sooner than later (using my SuperDuper software, for example)

4) People have suggested that I try something called Live CD, however, this is probably *also* way out of my league.

What are everyone's thoughts? Should I continue to try and copy my most important files in small batches? Should I try to find a specialist who could possibly just use HDDSuperclone and be done with this? Should I try and get assistance with LiveCD? Should I just unplug the drive and go get some estimates? Should I try and learn the hard way by using a HD enclosure? Also, is there any kind of cloud backup service that is "smart" about copying files from a slow/ dying drive like this one?

 

[TiggrToo]

I apologize for not getting the proper specs of the drive last time, but I was afraid of actually picking up the drive while it was copying valuable files.

It's a WD brand 8TB MyBook, more than likely this one:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1273853-REG/wd_wdbbgb0080hbk_nesn_8tb_my_boo.html/specs

The copy speed has decreased by about 1000 percent. I took two of my most recent folders (most important ones) and successfully copied them, but the copying process actually took about 4-5 five days to complete. Right before I made the effort to copy, there was a day when the hard drive icon actually disappeared from the desktop and the Disk Utility app. Scary.

By the way, I am on Mac, Mojave 10.14.4. Tons of people were asking me questions about processor type, etc, but this is an older Intel Mac. it doesn't have any newer features added since the last decade. Maxed out Mac Pro 1.1 or something.

Since this has happened, I realized that now is the time to go to a specialist, since the drive has not completely died. However, I am posting this because I still have a lot of questions. Here they are:

1) People have suggested that I just buy a hard drive enclosure/ drive caddy. Take the defective drive out of the WD external case, then transfer it to the enclosure, and see if the defective drive reacts well to being copied onto another 8TB drive (which I have purchased and it's ready to go) To me, this sounds like the safest option, although it still requires me to unplug the defective drive, which might mess it up, in my opinion.

2) People have suggested that I use HDDSuperclone, but honestly, I feel like this thing is so complex that I don't know where to start. I wish I knew someone who would attempt to use this software on my drive.

3) People have suggested that I avoid using basic software or drag and drop cloning as this may kill the drive sooner than later (using my SuperDuper software, for example)

4) People have suggested that I try something called Live CD, however, this is probably *also* way out of my league.

What are everyone's thoughts? Should I continue to try and copy my most important files in small batches? Should I try to find a specialist who could possibly just use HDDSuperclone and be done with this? Should I try and get assistance with LiveCD? Should I just unplug the drive and go get some estimates? Should I try and learn the hard way by using a HD enclosure? Also, is there any kind of cloud backup service that is "smart" about copying files from a slow/ dying drive like this one?

If the drive is truely dying then you'll be looking at possibly $500 to $1500 for recovery: and there's no guarantee they'll be able to recover what you need.

In addition no matter what soneone may offer here, not one of us is you, therefore whatever "advice" someone here may offer is going to be 100% risk free for them.

TBH only you can choose what you want to do. Don't lean on us here because it's a given that you're possibly already out of luck. Its entirely possible that the moment you power down the drive, it'll never fire up again.

Equally it's entirely possible that powering it down and leaving it for a while would help it.

Or anything in between.

 

[aaron321]

If the drive is truely dying then you'll be looking at possibly $500 to $1500 for recovery: and there's no guarantee they'll be able to recover what you need.

In addition no matter what soneone may offer here, not one of us is you, therefore whatever "advice" someone here may offer is going to be 100% risk free for them.

TBH only you can choose what you want to do. Don't lean on us here because it's a given that you're possibly already out of luck. Its entirely possible that the moment you power down the drive, it'll never fire up again.

Equally it's entirely possible that powering it down and leaving it for a while would help it.

Or anything in between.

It's not about me needing to rely on others for decision making, it's about me not having proper technical knowledge. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[TiggrToo]

It's not about me needing to rely on others for decision making, it's about me not having proper technical knowledge. Sorry for the confusion.

Still applies.

This forum isn't the place to sort this issue out. For all you know, you're making things far far worse by keeping the drive spinning.

Or it could be the drive's fine and the issue lies elsewhere.

Without having a hands on experience any advice will be spotty at best.

You'd be served far better finding someone local who can help you out.

 

[aaron321]

Still applies.

This forum isn't the place to sort this issue out. For all you know, you're making things far far worse by keeping the drive spinning.

Or it could be the drive's fine and the issue lies elsewhere.

Without having a hands on experience any advice will be spotty at best.

You'd be served far better finding someone local who can help you out.

I was just trying to get answers to the specific questions I asked. If you do not want to answer any of them, that is perfectly fine with me, Thank you just the same.

 

[Rodan52]

I think Aaron321 may have found another source of information but going back to the original question either Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner will create Disk Images and that it a far faster way to copy an entire drive of that size.

 

[TiggrToo]

I was just trying to get answers to the specific questions I asked. If you do not want to answer any of them, that is perfectly fine with me, Thank you just the same.

HDDSuperClone is a Linux utility. You need a Linux based computer to run it.

Also see LiveCD.

Taking the drive out and putting it into another end lose may result in anything from no change, working drive or totally dead drive.

Performing a different method of file copy would probably involve the command line. How comfortable are you with that?

 

[aaron321]

I think Aaron321 may have found another source of information but going back to the original question either Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner will create Disk Images and that it a far faster way to copy an entire drive of that size.

I do not have Time Machine, and I have been told several times by many experts that using basic software like SuperDuper or CCC is the surefire way of destroying my drive based on how things are looking at the moment.

 

[TiggrToo]

I think Aaron321 may have found another source of information but going back to the original question either Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner will create Disk Images and that it a far faster way to copy an entire drive of that size.

The issue is that it's not the system drive but their backup drive.

And initial Time Machine backups take a long time.

CarbonCopyCloner is a fast backup tool, it's not designed to handle failing drives. It's also very intensive on the source drive - as such could make this situation worse.

 

[HDFan]

I have been told several times by many experts that using basic software like SuperDuper or CCC is the surefire way of destroying my drive based on how things are looking at the moment.

Not sure I follow. Cloning software is just reading the drive which would be no different than copying using the finder. If there is a risk it would be that the copying pushes the drive over its EOL and it dies. Any solution is going to involve getting the data off the drive which will require reads.

And initial Time Machine backups take a long time.

I would avoid TM with a delicate drive due to its unreliability. Cloning software will likely have copied some data if the drive fails during the clone. Unpredictable what will happen with TM.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'm gonna ask this question again:

How much of the data on the problem drive ALSO EXISTS ON ANOTHER DRIVE?

And... how much of the data on the problem drive exists no where else?

Sort this information out.

Then... copy ONLY the data that exists no where else.

Do this, and the data will all be "secured elsewhere" and you do whatever you wish with the damaged drive.

 

[MarkC426]

By the way, I am on Mac, Mojave 10.14.4. Tons of people were asking me questions about processor type, etc, but this is an older Intel Mac. it doesn't have any newer features added since the last decade. Maxed out Mac Pro 1.1 or something.

If it's a Mac Pro, rather than getting a new enclosure, put the drive in the Mac sata bay, this is much faster than USB2.

 

[aaron321]

If it's a Mac Pro, rather than getting a new enclosure, put the drive in the Mac sata bay, this is much faster than USB2.

Thanks. Another guy on the phone got me interested in enclosures, and then I realized I was on the wrong track.

 

[aaron321]

I'm gonna ask this question again:

How much of the data on the problem drive ALSO EXISTS ON ANOTHER DRIVE?

And... how much of the data on the problem drive exists no where else?

Sort this information out.

Then... copy ONLY the data that exists no where else.

Do this, and the data will all be "secured elsewhere" and you do whatever you wish with the damaged drive.

Sorry for all the confusion. I assumed when I posted the first time, that people would recognize that I do not have all this data duplicated. If I DID have it duplicated somewhere else, I never would have needed to make this post in the first place.

 

[Macky-Mac]

Sorry for all the confusion. I assumed when I posted the first time, that people would recognize that I do not have all this data duplicated. If I DID have it duplicated somewhere else, I never would have needed to make this post in the first place.

I think most people did assume that this was about your only copy of the data....at first anyway....but unfortunately you confused the issue when you said in post #15;

I don't understand. This IS my backup.

And that lead people to think that you were actually talking about a "backup"......which means it's a copy of files you have elsewhere

But now that you've clarified, hopefully nobody will be confused.....and hopefully you'll find a way to salvage your data

 

[Honza1]

One option not mentioned by anyone yet is to find (borrow, buy) dual external HD docking station/duplicator and use that to duplicate the drive in there. That does 1:1 copy of the drive on block level and, if drive is failing but is still readable, would work. I like using this external duplicator in these cases since it also replaces enclosure hardware which may be what is failing, we do not know.
Now, I am sure this will be challenge to find, they are not that common... I bought one years ago since it was only slightly more expensive than dual usb dock itself.

 

[TiggrToo]

One option not mentioned by anyone yet is to find (borrow, buy) dual external HD docking station/duplicator and use that to duplicate the drive in there. That does 1:1 copy of the drive on block level and, if drive is failing but is still readable, would work. I like using this external duplicator in these cases since it also replaces enclosure hardware which may be what is failing, we do not know.
Now, I am sure this will be challenge to find, they are not that common... I bought one years ago since it was only slightly more expensive than dual usb dock itself.

I'd have thought if the drive is failing that even this may have issues and, at worst, copy corrupted blocks.

 

[aaron321]

One option not mentioned by anyone yet is to find (borrow, buy) dual external HD docking station/duplicator and use that to duplicate the drive in there. That does 1:1 copy of the drive on block level and, if drive is failing but is still readable, would work. I like using this external duplicator in these cases since it also replaces enclosure hardware which may be what is failing, we do not know.
Now, I am sure this will be challenge to find, they are not that common... I bought one years ago since it was only slightly more expensive than dual usb dock itself.

This is interesting, but doesn't it make more sense to use one the many SATA connection bays in my Mac Pro? The 8TB external drive that is dying has a USB connection. Also, wouldn't I run into problems attempting to an external drive to an external drive, especiall whn both are now running exclusively on a USB connection?