Hard Disk Fail - Maxtor 7Y250M0 - Return Code 7 - Recover data question

Question

Hi everyone   I am desperate to recover data from my old hard drive as appear to have lost some treasured photos and music :o(   I have a Dell Dimension 4700.  It came with a Maxtor 7Y250M0 250gb hard disk.   The disk still loads Windows XP.  Symptoms were: Disk ran very slowly I could not access all files on Explorer I could not load up an software Files seemed to be missing with *.dll errors Theer were 'cylical errors' when I tried to copy some files   I ran diagnostics that said 'Failed:  Return Code 7', which I take to mean hard disk error.   I have installed a new hard disk and computer working again but I am missing some files that I stupidly didnt back up very effectively.   Any advice in 'untechy' English would be greatly appreciated.

ejn63 · Answer

You can try a copy of Ontrack EasyRecovery (www.ontrack.com) - if it reads the data, you can buy it and recover (it costs about $250 for a single user license). Otherwise, data recovery is your only other option - that could cost about 10X that amount.

nhel · Answer

'I ran diagnostics that said 'Failed: Return Code 7'; Maxtor 7Y250M0 250gb hard disk'   I believe you only ran the hard drive diagnostics, I would recommend you run the 32-bit diagnostic so that you could thoroughly check HDD stability for a 250G HDD.   'Files seemed to be missing with *.dll errors'   Once 32-bit diagnostic told you that it passed your HDD and you think dll files were missing, you can run a recovery console using your OS CD. you can call tech support for assistance... good luck... Message Edited by nhel on 05-14-2007 11:11 PM

harrist1 · Answer

Thanks for the advice.  Fingers crossed I will get data back.  Anyone has any further advice it would be gratefully received.

dg1261 · Answer

'Return code 7' basically means the failure is in the hardware (the disk drive) rather than the software (Windows). Another option is to let Spinrite 6 have a go at it. I have actually seen it repair a hard disk that had that error. (Although keep in mind lots of problems are lumped under 'return code 7'.) $89, no free trial, but worthwhile software in any case.

nhel · Answer

'Return code 7' basically means the failure is in the hardware (the disk drive) rather than the software (Windows).   Correct, but the 90/90 or HDD diagnostic only reliable for HDDs 80GB and below. Above that, 32-bit diagnostic is more reliable. (Even if your going to call tech support, they will have you ran 32-bit diags for HDD this size).   Any way, correct me if am wrong here, you were able boot but some .dll files were missing and you opted to install a new HDD and your computer was able to boot to your windows.   Again, if 32-bit would say that your original HDD passed diags, you can configure that original HDD and make it as a slave so that you can drag your files to your new HDD.   Tech support can assist you in doing that...   good luck...

harrist1 · Answer

Hi nhel Thanks for these bits of advice (and others who have helped).   Current state is that I took out the old hard disk that was causing problems and added a new one.  I had to install XP OS and all other drivers etc.  Now working pretty well (but without my old data).   I have the former troublesome hard disk back in a box safely ready to do something with.   Are you saying I should put it back into computer alongside the new disk, run 32-bit diagnostics (do you run this from ResourceCD or from the boot menu?) and then, based on results (what might this diagnostics say?) I may be in a position to drag the files from the old one into the new one?  I would really appreciate it if you could spell it out a bit as, given a clear explanation, I am usually able to action these tasks!   Many thanks and regards

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Hard Disk Fail - Maxtor 7Y250M0 - Return Code 7 - Recover data question

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