access a HP desktop storage HDD that has bad sectors

[PhilBall1954]

How can I access a HP desktop storage HDD that has bad sectors ?  It has been successfully replaced and data has been restored from a recent backup. There are some photos that were not yet backed up. I've tried replacing it back in the computer to try to recover them but the computer no longer recognises the original HDD. When the original HDD is connected via a usb caddy it shows as a disk that needs reformatting. I've tried unsuccessfully using  Aomei to try to recover the GPT partition which was not recognised.

Any Ideas would be appreciated.

Model No. HP Pavilion 570-p018na Win 10 home

[TheOldMan]

Sounds as though you have started down the correct path.  Since a regular Windows PC did not work, then the next step that I take is making a Live CD/USB of a Linux OS, boot a hosting PC to the Live Linux and then connect the failed HDD, using the USB to HDD adapter.  Linux is much better at seeking the data than Windows.  I typically use Ubuntu but Knoppix usually works, too.  I have those on bootable DVD/CD and then use Linux to have a look.  If you are leery about booting to a Live Linux, never fear as it does not change anything on the hosting PC, it just loads a Linux OS on the hosting PC.  If you have not done that before, look up making a Live Linux on a DVD/CD or USB stick.  As I said, I typically use Ubuntu.

Assuming it can open the disk, it should be easy to copy and paste the photos to a USB stick to the transfer them to the PC.

[PhilBall1954]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I did try to view the disk using a Ubuntu boot from DVD setup. I'm not particularly familiar with Ubuntu and didn't have much time experiment as the GPT partition showed up as empty. I'll try this again with a different Linux system to see if I was just a little too rushed ( or impatient ). What really surprised me was that when the original Data HDD was replaced in the computer it was not recognised. When it was first removed  and wouldn't allow access via the usb caddy I examined it in Disk Manager and tried to convert it to MBR but that didn't seem to work.

Thanks for your help, I'll let you know how I get on,

Phil

[TheOldMan]

Just a caution, do not try to do anything other than read what it might find on the disk.  Trying to do anything - like converting to MBR might cause you to lose the data.

Also, I have not tried the method I am promoting on a GPT partition before.  That was not a popular thing when I was doing disk data rescue, but as long as the Linux distro is new enough to read GPT, then it should still be useful information.

[PhilBall1954]

Hi, thanks for the warning, I haven't had another chance to try to recover files yet. I'll let you know what happens.