Problem with the Hard Drive

Hello everyone,

Yesterday my notebook received a pretty hard hit on the top right part of the keyboard and since then the Bios fails to recognize the hard drive. Furthermore, when the laptop starts there is a quiet beeping-like sound, coming from that part of the computer, which lasts around 20secs then stops.

I think that the hit either disconnected or damaged the hard drive and now the system cannot connect to it. I tried opening the computer straight away, I did not manage to disassemble it enough to reach the HDD. I am bringing it to a repair store today, but I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. In my opinion the hit was not hard enough to damage the disc, but on the other hard, I hardly believe a bang can disconnect the drive either. Which is more probable? Is the HDD of a notebook connected to the Mainboard in the same fashion as in PC (with a cable)? And last but not least, if the HDD is indeed damaged, what can I do apart from replacing it? Meaning, can I retrieve any of the data even from a damaged HDD?

Thanks to anyone who responds

P.S. I know you should not hit your computer, but when you are loosing a game of dota because of a noob teammate who, furthermore, is with you on skype, you get really frustrated .

 

Hard disk is one of the most easily accessible / replicable parts of a notebook. It shouldn’t be hard to take out, most of the time you only have to remove one or two screws and a single panel underneath the notebook. What is the exact model ? look at the user manual for instructions. Depending on the notebook the disk may be connected with a cable or a connector fixed on to the motherboard (but the disk itself is always removable)

Usually damaged hard disks make clicking/clanking sounds, not sure what you mean by a beep... anyways if the sound is coming from the hard disk, then a disk failure is more probable than a loose connection, but cant say anything for sure.

Even if there is a head crash or some sort of a physical damage, there is a good chance to recover most or some of the data, but it is going to be very expensive, and you'll have to send it to a professional data recovery company.

 

IMO, it sounds like one of the hard drive's heads is stuck to the platter and the drive's motor makes that sound when it tries to spin up..............(I've had some bad experiences).

Is the hard drive spinning up?

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I am not sure if the sound is "mechanical" (caused by parts trying to spin/do whatever), but it rather sounds from the device itself. Furthermore, the fact that it only lasts a while, means that it stops trying to do whatever it is trying.

The reason I failed to remove it is because there was a metal layer attached to the hard drive, below the plastic layer. Even tho I removed its screws too, it seemed attached in a way and I was afraid I will break it if I force it too much.

The model of the notebook is Compal HEL80, Barebone filled with custom parts. I dunno if it helps, but at least you can tell me if removing the HDD is as easy as normally.

Thanks for the info on data recovery as well, I rly hope it doesn't come to that, because although I have some important things, I don't know if I'd be willing to pay a high amount to retrieve, but rather spend the time to recreate them. I still hope the problem is external/connection based and not with the disc itself.

I would appreciate any other comments and suggestions.

 

Take a look at this video (from 4.40 to 6.20), it shows assembling instructions for a Compal HEL80. Looks like you just have to pull back the hard disk with the metal frame after removing the two screws securing it to the chassis.

 

The cover on the HDD is made to get the HDD to stick in one position, so it can't be disconnected from the motherboard.

And removing the HDD is very easy, just drag the HDD from the connection on the motherboard if you've loosened all the screws. Everyone should be able to change a HDD as it's easy as in a desktop, or even easier..

 

Based on the video I can conclude that the HDD wasn't disconnected from the motherboard (it is practically impossible unless you break the screws which hold it). Therefore the problem must be another.

I just left the notebook at the nearby repair store. Those hideskinning b**tards charge 30euro just for checking and if they can fix the problem they deduct them from the total price (which ofc is not known). Seems like i entered a deal which might cost more than a new HDD ... just hope it doesn't cost more than a new laptop :/.