freeze your haddrive

**Jason** · 04-07-2006, 01:46 PM

So do you think putting your hard drive in the freezer for a few hours helps recover data when the hard drive goes bad?

**40sondacurb** · 04-07-2006, 01:49 PM

It's not a battery what could that do?

yustr · 04-07-2006, 05:15 PM

I've been saying for years (not that anyone listens) that HD's are mechanical devices as much as they are electro-magnetic devices. If the problem is the spindle bearing or arm movement mechanism getting out of tollerance, then putting it in the freezer may (and I stress may) cause the whole thing to shrink enough to bring it back. This may (and I stress may) give you a couple of extra minutes of usable life.

So if you're doing this to recover data, do it fast.

04-07-2006, 05:23 PM

Yes it helps. Its always an option when you are trying to pull something not big. Especially laptop hard drives are pretty co-operative :)

Tumbleweed36 · 04-07-2006, 06:12 PM

Hi,

Yes, it helps in many cases, but we are not talking about hours here....put it in there for about a half hour and place it in a plastic bag to prevent frost (ie; moisure) build up inside), take it out, quickly put in in the computer and give it a try. If it is the mechanical problem that caused the problem (expanding or contracting metal parts), it may work for a bit. You can redo this procedure more than one time in some instances. Otherwise, have the XXclone program ready if you need everything off of it.

**Terrister** · 04-07-2006, 09:21 PM

I have only seen it work with Maxtor drives. Had others tell me it works on other makes also. I always tell people to try EVERYTHING else 1st. It must be in a baggie. When I have done it, I leave them in overnight. I have tried this 5 times and had it work once.

ebackhus · 04-10-2006, 02:59 PM

I'm tempted to put my server in the freezer to keep it cool. I've never heard of this little trick but now I'm curious.

**Glaswegian** · 04-10-2006, 04:27 PM

I've heard this before but never tried it. I've still got an old hard drive somewhere that went belly up and now I'm quite tempted to have a go..........

04-07-2006, 01:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,487 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	freeze your haddrive So do you think putting your hard drive in the freezer for a few hours helps recover data when the hard drive goes bad? __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh

04-07-2006, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
40sondacurb Don't be a menace Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,285 OS: Vista sp2	It's not a battery what could that do? __________________ Donate to keep the forum running

04-07-2006, 05:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,064 OS: XP Pro My System	I've been saying for years (not that anyone listens) that HD's are mechanical devices as much as they are electro-magnetic devices. If the problem is the spindle bearing or arm movement mechanism getting out of tollerance, then putting it in the freezer may (and I stress may) cause the whole thing to shrink enough to bring it back. This may (and I stress may) give you a couple of extra minutes of usable life. So if you're doing this to recover data, do it fast. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

04-07-2006, 06:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,691 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Yes, it helps in many cases, but we are not talking about hours here....put it in there for about a half hour and place it in a plastic bag to prevent frost (ie; moisure) build up inside), take it out, quickly put in in the computer and give it a try. If it is the mechanical problem that caused the problem (expanding or contracting metal parts), it may work for a bit. You can redo this procedure more than one time in some instances. Otherwise, have the XXclone program ready if you need everything off of it. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

04-07-2006, 09:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	I have only seen it work with Maxtor drives. Had others tell me it works on other makes also. I always tell people to try EVERYTHING else 1st. It must be in a baggie. When I have done it, I leave them in overnight. I have tried this 5 times and had it work once. __________________

04-07-2006, 05:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
PurpleSky Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Yes it helps. Its always an option when you are trying to pull something not big. Especially laptop hard drives are pretty co-operative :)

04-10-2006, 02:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,312 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	I'm tempted to put my server in the freezer to keep it cool. I've never heard of this little trick but now I'm curious. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

04-10-2006, 04:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Glaswegian Moderator/ Rangemaster TSF Academy; Analyst, Security Team; Oor Wullie; TSF Surgeon and Resident Comic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 25,559 OS: Win XP Pro SP3 / Win 7 Pro My System Blog Entries: 10	I've heard this before but never tried it. I've still got an old hard drive somewhere that went belly up and now I'm quite tempted to have a go.......... __________________ Iain - Defender of the Haggis and all things Scottish. I don't help by PM - post in the Forums. PC Safety & Security::PC running a bit slow?::Donate::Photographers Corner