Does anyone know how to remove data from a

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/15/2009 04:12:31 PM · #1

harddrive that gives the error "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error" when you try to copy files from it?

I haven't been able to access this drive for 2 days and finally I just got it to come back up. I can see the files I need but I can not read or write to the drive. Is there a way to get this info off the drive without destroying it?

Any suggestions may help.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

01/15/2009 04:20:37 PM · #2

The expensive but secure way is to send it to some place like DriveSavers, or you can try data recovery software like PC Inspector (check at Download.com for other programs. If it's making any unusual noises you run the risk of damaging the platter surface (bad!) -- hopefully it's a problem with the controller card and the drive mechanism is intact.

Don't forget to try different cables if you have any spares -- it could always be a bad connection ...

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

01/15/2009 05:21:22 PM · #3

Actually here's what has happened so far.

4 days ago I lost my internal E: drive. E: drive is a 250Gb extra storage drive that I used for all my music and misc. files that if I lost it wouldn't be a huge deal.
G: drive is my other extra storage external drive that holds all my dpc images, client images, family photos, and all my backup files from C: and E: drives.
When I lost E: drive I used a program called Get Data Back to recover the information that was lost on the drive. I had to use my G: drive to hold the files as you can not recover files to the same drive you are recovering.
I called this file "Recovered Files".

2 days ago I was cleaning out the "recovered files" folder and was deleting .dll, .exe, and a ton of other files on the drive that pretty much at this point useless because everything has been renamed Alpha-numerically from the recovery. For example dpc.exe and all the .dll files that are associated with it are now called A0123.dll, A0124.dll, A0125.exe, A0126.exe. Because all the files have been renamed I no longer know what goes with what.

One night I was saving what I could from the recovered files folder and deleting what I didn't need. The next morning I went to continue what I was doing but I noticed that the drive was missing from the my computer window. After a day of thinking, contacting western digital, trying hooking the drive up to 2 other machines both xp and vista, and contemplating on my next move I finally decided to void the warranty and crack open the external G: drive. I removed my now working E: drive from inside the case and hooked it up the same way the external was hooked up. What I was doing was trying to find out if it was the drive itself or the board inside the external drive case. I booted up and sure enough E: drive showed up. So I turned the computer back off, put E: drive back in the computer, hooked up G: drive and turn the system back on. Some how G: drive showed back up after not being able to see it for 2 days I tried to save some files off it but I'm getting stuck with "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error".

Here's the down side to doing a recovery on the drive. When I recovered E: drive some of the files names were changed and some were not. However all image files were corrupt, on top of that I have a client that ordered some photos the day I started having problems, I have another client that has called me every day for the last 4 days wanting to know where his pictures are and everything I need is on this drive.

I can not afford to pay a company to recover the files on this drive and if it comes down to that I will just have to save up for it I guess. However I could visit download.com like you suggested (BTW I am on there almost every day and that is how I find a lot of programs) but 99% of the programs don't guarantee a successful data recovery. I will more than likely need to here it from someone that has already bought the program and used it for this situation.

Again any suggestions will be helpful...

BTW if some of the sentences don't make sense sorry, just try to fill in the blanks. hahaha I have a lot going on right now..

Also the DPCO files are on this G: drive...

Message edited by author 2009-01-15 17:22:53.

Apple iPhone 5

01/15/2009 05:57:36 PM · #4

Have you tried reading the drive by booting a knoppix live cd to eliminate os/drivers as the issue?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

01/15/2009 06:29:32 PM · #5

Originally posted by JH:

Have you tried reading the drive by booting a knoppix live cd to eliminate os/drivers as the issue?

I have not, I don't even know how that would work. Can you explain?

Apple iPhone 5

01/15/2009 06:42:08 PM · #6

Knoppix is a version of linux you can boot and run directly from a CD. It doesn't touch the hard drives in the pc.

It's often used to rescue crashed PCs as you can boot it (it has an interface similar to windows) and then it will see any hard drives, giving you the opportunity to copy the files. Of course, if the issue is definitely hardware related, then linux will have as much luck as windows in reading the drive.

If you want to try this, go to distrowatch.com, download the Knoppix iso, burn the image to a cd, and boot from it.

If you've never tried anything like that before then perhaps another approach would be better. But it's a step I always try for hardware problems.

Adamsw216

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/15/2009 06:44:12 PM · #7

To be perfectly honest, despite your in-depth description, I would probably have to take a look at it to figure out what's wrong. But if you really do need a program to remove data from a drive, I have a program that sets up a temporary file system infrastructure before Windows loads and allows the retrieval of data through the DOS prompt/software UI. I don't have it with me, but if I can get you the name, you should be able to download it for free. The code to use it, however, costs $100. But I can share it with you if you are in dire need.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/15/2009 06:54:34 PM · #8

Do you have this hard drive connected to the usb on the front of the computer or hooked up to a hub?

Message edited by author 2009-01-15 18:56:30.

01/15/2009 09:08:58 PM · #9

Originally posted by JH:

I will try this tomorrow, thanks for the info.

01/15/2009 09:12:04 PM · #10

Originally posted by Adamsw216:

I will look into this and let you know something. I have a large amount of bills coming up this and next month to include my two new 74GB 10k RPM drives that I am getting next week. So it will be some time before I can even have enough money for even a happy meal at McDonald's but I will let you know when we can do this.