File Recovery

[Correction]

The situation: My 1TB drive just took a shit, and roughly half of it was filled with data. Data I'd like to get back. CHKDSK is failing even after attempting to restore from an MFT mirror (according to its own error messages). I can see the hardware but the volume information is garbled.

I can't fully diagnose the problem and a full reformat is unappealing because yes, I do actually want as much of that data back as possible. However, I don't want to blindly buy software thinking it'll help when all it's going to do is check for an MFT mirror, turn around and tell me 'sorry, you're fucked.'

It's almost all binary data.

Any recommendations? I am willing to pay for software, I just need the confidence that it can recover data without a viable MFT in place.

[Shuemue]

If it's not a physical hardware error, source a copy of R-Studio. I'd offer to send it to you, but my goodwill only extends so far.

[Correction]

Ok, fuck Seagate. I found the problem:

Seagate Knowledge Base

Info varies, but my odds of being completely fucked have dropped a little.

I'd offer to send it to you, but my goodwill only extends so far.

How big of you.

[Shuemue]

You're welcome, you fucking cunt.

[Kriz]

If this is one of the 1GB Seagate failures (omg, I had one in my machine, I dodged a bullet with getting the FW update), then you are in for a world of hurt I'm sure you already know.

Normally I'd recommend SpinRite, like for the other post, but yeah you know you are in trouble with these Seagates.

Here is the closest thing I have seen about this issue and fixing it post-issue. It's hardcore, maybe get a super nerdy friend to do it.

The Solution for Seagate 7200.11 HDDs - MSFN Forums

I hope all you had was a normal sector error SR can fix, and not the Seagate doom-error.