Hard drive magnetics

[Jeff Johnson]

I had a lot of data backed up on an external hard drive and I recently tried
to access it and it was all gone(OS couldn't access HD). Seems the MBR got
corrupt or possibly the partition table. It got me questioning why it went
bad. It was not used or abused in the time it was working and
wasn't(probably 3-5 months).


Only thing google turned up was

http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/lj_hard_disk_warning.html

It mentions that HD's automatically refresh(I guess sorta like dram?) the
magnetics when they are plugged in. Is this true? It could explain why the
external drive went bad and will help keep it from happening in the future.

So I'll I have to do is power it up and the drive's internal mechanics will
refresh all the data with any need for me to initiate it? (e.g., copy the
files, view them, etc...)

 

[Uwe Hercksen]

It mentions that HD's automatically refresh(I guess sorta like dram?)
the magnetics when they are plugged in. Is this true? It could explain
why the external drive went bad and will help keep it from happening in
the future.

Hello,

think about the nowadays HD's with their large capacity. To refresh the
complete data stored on a half filled HD would take hours. It couldn't
be true.

Bye

 

[Lab1]

http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/lj_hard_disk_warning.html

It mentions that HD's automatically refresh(I guess sorta like dram?)
the magnetics when they are plugged in. Is this true? It could explain
why the external drive went bad and will help keep it from happening in
the future.

"Evaporating magnetism"?? This guy must be a Mormon! (inside joke,
either you get it or you don't)

 

[Kevin McMurtrie]

I had a lot of data backed up on an external hard drive and I recently tried
to access it and it was all gone(OS couldn't access HD). Seems the MBR got
corrupt or possibly the partition table. It got me questioning why it went
bad. It was not used or abused in the time it was working and
wasn't(probably 3-5 months).


Only thing google turned up was

http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/lj_hard_disk_warning.html

It mentions that HD's automatically refresh(I guess sorta like dram?) the
magnetics when they are plugged in. Is this true? It could explain why the
external drive went bad and will help keep it from happening in the future.

So I'll I have to do is power it up and the drive's internal mechanics will
refresh all the data with any need for me to initiate it? (e.g., copy the
files, view them, etc...)

Hard drives do refresh and relocate data as they age, but a destroyed
MBR is often a software problem.

Does the drive click loudly? Many hard drives will try to shake the
heads clean when they're not getting a good signal. It's a very bad
sign.

 

[Martin Brown]

I had a lot of data backed up on an external hard drive and I recently
tried to access it and it was all gone(OS couldn't access HD). Seems the
MBR got corrupt or possibly the partition table. It got me questioning
why it went bad. It was not used or abused in the time it was working
and wasn't(probably 3-5 months).

How do you know it is any of these? Does the drive spin up? Various
mechanical things can prevent the read heads lifting - a fault which can
often be fixed by giving the drive a quick jolt or sending it back to
the manufacturer via post where it will arrive working and be put in the
no fault found bin. Even if the OS doesn't recognise the drive as
formatted it should recognise the USB connection and drivers.

There are DIY recovery programs that will sort out most faults on a
physical drive provided that the control electronics are still working.
And there are expensive services that will recover stuff for you at a price.

Only thing google turned up was

http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/lj_hard_disk_warning.html

It mentions that HD's automatically refresh(I guess sorta like dram?)
the magnetics when they are plugged in. Is this true? It could explain
why the external drive went bad and will help keep it from happening in
the future.

Not on that time scale and losing a few bits would normally be
correctable allowing diagnostics to warn you. You get silly access times
when drive media is borderline functional. My neighbour had one where
Windows took 15mins to boot and XL half an hour to load. Some helpful
person had turned off SMART error detection for him so he didn't see the
enormous number of warnings of read errors!

Sticktion is a much more likely cause of failure. It was very common at
one time just after CFCs were banned.

So I'll I have to do is power it up and the drive's internal mechanics
will refresh all the data with any need for me to initiate it? (e.g.,
copy the files, view them, etc...)

I think you are barking up the wrong tree here. Much more likely that
something trashed the MBR if it is in fact missing. If you know the
drive model you should be able to find one on th emakers support site to
refresh from - I have never used harddrive diagnostics on USB/Firewire
connected drive so I don't know how well they work like that. You might
need to put the drive inside a PC to work on it.

Regards,
Martin Brown

 

[Jasen Betts]

You could use 'fdisk /mbr' to repair the boot sector on older
versions of Windows.

that won't fix the partition table,
the master boot record is only useful for booting from the drive.
(and even then only works if attached to a valid partition table)

To fix the partition table you need either a fdisk that doesn't trash the
partition (not the MS product) and a memory of what it contained,
a copy of the partition table, a partition table guessing tool like
gpart, or an expert with a hex editor.



--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

 

[Tauno Voipio]

I had a lot of data backed up on an external hard drive and I recently
tried to access it and it was all gone(OS couldn't access HD). Seems the
MBR got corrupt or possibly the partition table. It got me questioning
why it went bad. It was not used or abused in the time it was working
and wasn't(probably 3-5 months).


Only thing google turned up was

http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/lj_hard_disk_warning.html

It mentions that HD's automatically refresh(I guess sorta like dram?)
the magnetics when they are plugged in. Is this true? It could explain
why the external drive went bad and will help keep it from happening in
the future.

So I'll I have to do is power it up and the drive's internal mechanics
will refresh all the data with any need for me to initiate it? (e.g.,
copy the files, view them, etc...)

For fixing the partition table(s), Google for gpart.

 

[TheGlimmerMan]

It seems Larry and Jordan are apple experts.This explains all you need
to know. ;-)

Finger pointing twits are fun to watch too. They typically have no
fucking clue what they expound upon.

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.

A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

We could learn a lot from that NSA MAID (massive array of idle drives)
regarding data retention.

More bullshit. You're a real MAHN (Massive Array of Horseshit Neurons)

Or perhaps NARA or LOC has tips. Most of
what I see on the internet regarding data retention tends to be old
geek's tales.

I think you are a candidate for Alzhiemer's.

Hard drives and magnetic storage mediums are the most reliable data
storage device on the planet and have been for decades, and will be for
decades to come. You can scribe the Library of Congress within a hard
drive. You can only inscribe a page or so onto a gold clad ceramic plate
that would last for thousands of years. What you have to measure is how
much storage in how much space, written to or read from AQAP.

The hard drive wins every time.

 

[JW]

]

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.

A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

Chkdsk still exists in Windows XP for NTFS volumes. (And likely Windows 7
as well.)

Who is the idiot now? Rhetorical question of course, no need to follow up.

 

[TheGlimmerMan]

Not against EMP...

Perhaps not, but you could not place hundreds of GB of data anywhere
without great difficulty. I do not know of any massive flash arrays
being relied upon for mission critical data storage anywhere.

And they are also vulnerable to more than just EMP.
Pretty sure at today's densities that a cosmic ray could flip a bit on
a platter as well.

I would still trust them for my needs. And stop the source of the EMP
(Iran) before it happens.

 

[JW]

]

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.
A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

Chkdsk still exists in Windows XP for NTFS volumes. (And likely Windows 7
as well.)

Who is the idiot now? Rhetorical question of course, no need to follow up.

Just got Win7 and did some fiddling.
Most definitely has CHKDSK.

Figured as much. When the OS detects that there may be volume corruption,
a chkdsk is scheduled automatically on the next boot. Oh well, at least
Glimmermoan has dropped the thread now that he's realized he was wrong
(yet) again.

 

[TheGlimmerMan]

On Wed, 2 Feb 2011 22:54:20 -0800 (PST), "[email protected]"

[...]

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.
A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

Chkdsk still exists in Windows XP for NTFS volumes. (And likely Windows 7
as well.)

Who is the idiot now? Rhetorical question of course, no need to follow up.

Just got Win7 and did some fiddling.
Most definitely has CHKDSK.

Figured as much. When the OS detects that there may be volume corruption,
a chkdsk is scheduled automatically on the next boot. Oh well, at least
Glimmermoan has dropped the thread now that he's realized he was wrong
(yet) again.

Funny... I have not used it in years, and NONE of my drives have EVER
had a lost sector, and I have twenty of them laying about here.

Hell, even my MFM drives ran fine.

You "defrag daily" retarded pussies deserve every damaged drive *that
you create* that comes down your pike.

Bwuahahahahahahahaha! You're an idiot.

The modern Windows desktop has drive error detection and repair tools,
and it is NOT "chkdsk", you fucking RETARD! That goes without mentioning
that the drives themselves have error detection AND correction built into
them as well. D'oh!

So, **** off and die, you whiney little bitch.

 

[JW]

JW wrote:
On Wed, 2 Feb 2011 22:54:20 -0800 (PST), "[email protected]"

[...]

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.
A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

Chkdsk still exists in Windows XP for NTFS volumes. (And likely Windows 7
as well.)

Who is the idiot now? Rhetorical question of course, no need to follow up.
Just got Win7 and did some fiddling.
Most definitely has CHKDSK.

Figured as much. When the OS detects that there may be volume corruption,
a chkdsk is scheduled automatically on the next boot. Oh well, at least
Glimmermoan has dropped the thread now that he's realized he was wrong
(yet) again.

Funny... I have not used it in years,

Probably because you don't know how. Why don't you just admit you were
wrong in that chkdsk is also exist for NTFS partitions?

and NONE of my drives have EVER
had a lost sector, and I have twenty of them laying about here.

Have a friend (if you even *have* any) take them all to the roof of a
twenty story office building. You stand below and have him drop them on
your head one-by-one. See if that knocks any sense into you.

[...] where dummy tries to change the subject.

 

[TheGlimmerMan]

<[email protected]>:

JW wrote:
On Wed, 2 Feb 2011 22:54:20 -0800 (PST), "[email protected]"

[...]

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.
A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

Chkdsk still exists in Windows XP for NTFS volumes. (And likely Windows 7
as well.)

Who is the idiot now? Rhetorical question of course, no need to follow up.
Just got Win7 and did some fiddling.
Most definitely has CHKDSK.

Figured as much. When the OS detects that there may be volume corruption,
a chkdsk is scheduled automatically on the next boot. Oh well, at least
Glimmermoan has dropped the thread now that he's realized he was wrong
(yet) again.

Funny... I have not used it in years,

Probably because you don't know how.

I was working with PCs before whatever incompetent twit that hired you
for a job ever got you started, fuckhead.

Why don't you just admit you were
wrong in that chkdsk is also exist for NTFS partitions?

It exists. Only idiots use it, however.

Have a friend (if you even *have* any) take them all to the roof of a
twenty story office building. You stand below and have him drop them on
your head one-by-one. See if that knocks any sense into you.

Do you even have any clue as to how immature that horseshit you spew
is?

[...] where dummy tries to change the subject.

You're an idiot. I know more about hard drives AND the systems that
operate them, than you ever will.

Currently on SATA3, SAS, and USB 3.0.

Yep... I'm up-to-date. You? (no need to answer, I am already laughing
about it). Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahaha!

 

[m II]

"TheGlimmerMan" wrote in message


You're an idiot. I know more about hard drives AND the systems that
operate them, than you ever will.

Currently on SATA3, SAS, and USB 3.0.

Yep... I'm up-to-date. You? (no need to answer, I am already laughing
about it). Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahaha!


------


Sounds more like you are on satellite loony bin 3.

Definitely full of SAS and a POS.

Have you been taking your medication this year?


mike

 

[TheGlimmerMan]

Have you

**** off, you little retarded bitch.

 

[JW]

<[email protected]>:

JW wrote:
On Wed, 2 Feb 2011 22:54:20 -0800 (PST), "[email protected]"

[...]

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.
A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

Chkdsk still exists in Windows XP for NTFS volumes. (And likely Windows 7
as well.)

Who is the idiot now? Rhetorical question of course, no need to follow up.
Just got Win7 and did some fiddling.
Most definitely has CHKDSK.

Figured as much. When the OS detects that there may be volume corruption,
a chkdsk is scheduled automatically on the next boot. Oh well, at least
Glimmermoan has dropped the thread now that he's realized he was wrong
(yet) again.

Funny... I have not used it in years,

Probably because you don't know how.

I was working with PCs before whatever incompetent twit that hired you
for a job ever got you started, fuckhead.

I doubt that. Proof please.

It exists. Only idiots use it, however.

Looks like I need to apply the ruler of reason to the knuckles of
stupidity again.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/831426

"Confirm that your hard disk or your file system is not damaged
To confirm that your hard disk or your file system is not damaged, start
your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, load Microsoft Recovery Console,
and then use the chkdsk command-line command."

It is the preferred method for repairing corrupted volumes as the program
will have an exclusive lock on the drive where the OS resides. (You really
like the taste of shoe leather, right?)

Do you even have any clue as to how immature that horseshit you spew
is?

Speaking of horseshit, what's that substance in the large gap between your
two front buck-teeth, scat-boy? Hmmm?

[...] where dummy tries to change the subject.

You're an idiot. I know more about hard drives AND the systems that
operate them, than you ever will.

Proof please.

Currently on SATA3, SAS, and USB 3.0.

Yep... I'm up-to-date. You? (no need to answer, I am already laughing
about it). Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahaha!

I'll email your handler and inform him you need some electro-shock therapy
again. No need to thank me.

 

[TheQuickBrownFox]

I doubt that.

Good for you, Johnny Wad. As if anything you ever felt ever had any
credence with anyone other than you.

Proof please.

You're an idiot. This is Usenet, you dumb fucktard.

I was laying out 4X and we had our own camera and delivered run ready
artwork films to our PCB house. We configured and used XTs and started
using Acad on a 286 to do 4X plots on Mylar.

I was using Lotus to plot IR thermal curves before you knew what a
fucking spreadsheet was.

I still have my 10MB Tandon 5.25" Full Height HD from my first XT.

I have probably 15 or so pre IDE drives of various hardware
architectures and interfaces.

I have about three or four different platforms as well. I have an
Alpha server and two Alpha SBCs. That will run a version of NT. I have
a 486 EISA box. You likely do not even know what that is/was. I have at
least two, if not three different Power PC platform based systems. You
probably have trouble simply keeping up with football.

I knew every piece of hardware that could go into a PC from even before
they came out.

Heathkit _could have_ set _you_ free.

The Tandon hard drive is a museum piece.

You are a toilet piece.

That is all the proof I need to offer. Any person like the guy in the
TV show "Lie To Me" could easily tell that my words here are truthful.
Only retarded fucks like you and a few other failed jock mentality
fucktards here think you bother me by claiming I am something else.

Yeah, fucker... I'm something else alright. A damn sight better than
you too.

 

[josephkk]

]

It wouldn't hurt to run chkdsk once in a while.
A perfect example. You're an idiot. DOS volumes are practically
non-existent these days. So are write errors for that matter.

Chkdsk still exists in Windows XP for NTFS volumes. (And likely Windows 7
as well.)

Who is the idiot now? Rhetorical question of course, no need to followup.

Just got Win7 and did some fiddling.
Most definitely has CHKDSK.

And the MS tools still can't fix a damaged partition table and usually
wants to clobber the partition table to fix the MBR.

sysresccd.

 

[JW]

Good for you, Johnny Wad. As if anything you ever felt ever had any
credence with anyone other than you.

Uh huh. And who puts stock in anything you say? You're AlwayWrong, after
all.

You're an idiot. This is Usenet, you dumb fucktard.

I was laying out 4X and we had our own camera and delivered run ready
artwork films to our PCB house. We configured and used XTs and started
using Acad on a 286 to do 4X plots on Mylar.

Wow. I'm impressed you had an XT! (Who didn't?)

I was using Lotus to plot IR thermal curves before you knew what a
fucking spreadsheet was.
Yawn.

I still have my 10MB Tandon 5.25" Full Height HD from my first XT.

So? WTF good is it? For Christ's sake my first XT had an ST-506 Rodime
20MB (neener! mine was bigger than yours!) full height drive. It's been in
a landfill for 20 years now.

I have probably 15 or so pre IDE drives of various hardware
architectures and interfaces.
*snore*

I have about three or four different platforms as well. I have an
Alpha server and two Alpha SBCs. That will run a version of NT. I have
a 486 EISA box. You likely do not even know what that is/was. I have at
least two, if not three different Power PC platform based systems. You
probably have trouble simply keeping up with football.

There's a name for people like you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding

Just another mental illness of yours.

I knew every piece of hardware that could go into a PC from even before
they came out.

The Amazing Kreskin!

Heathkit _could have_ set _you_ free.

The Tandon hard drive is a museum piece.

You are a toilet piece.

You just can't stop thinking about all thing fecal, can you?

That is all the proof I need to offer. Any person like the guy in the
TV show "Lie To Me" could easily tell that my words here are truthful.
Only retarded fucks like you and a few other failed jock mentality
fucktards here think you bother me by claiming I am something else.

Yeah, fucker... I'm something else alright. A damn sight better than
you too.

You're nuts. Get help.