HDD Failure: Freeze > Plug it in > Copy data? HELP!

[Endriuska]

I have a harddrive which is almost dead, and here is the situation:


- It's an external harddrive WD 120GB HHD(I took the cover off, and I will connect it using HDD > USB cable)
- Harddrive still spins(there is a clocking sound) when it's COLD, when it warms up it stops spinning(dies).
- I can trun it on while it's "cool"(room temperature) but i can't open it(windows does not see it). HOWEVER, today when I plugged it in, waited for 90 seconds, that thing when you plugg in new

hardware appeared by the clock(right botton corner), but then the harddrive stopped(most likely warmed up again).

It's almost full 100GB/120GB, and I need all data from it.

Here is what I'm going to do and questions I have:

1. Freeze the harddrive(put it in the freezer)
- What is the best way to seal it? Zip lock back is ok? or should I seal it using something else? Like wrap it to a paper towels, and put it into couple zip lock bags? By doing that I want to make

sure that when I turn it on that there would not be any water so it would not fail permenently due a water + eletricity. Does this sound right?
- Also do you know if i can repeat(the freezing processes) many times? for example: Freeze it, copy data of it, when it dies, freeze it again and so on? or it will die after the first time it melts

down?

2. Plug it in while it's in the freezer

3. Have my fingers crossed that windows will recognize it.
- What would be the best software/way to have it recognized?

This is my first time doing it and I'v read a little bit about it but still unsure.

Any help would be appreaciated.

Edited:

Also forgot to ask:
- How long should I keep it in the Freezer(I need all data, at least the most i can get)
- I have a SLOW laptop(512MB/1.6Ghz) and FAST DESKTOP(8GB/4x2.5Ghz), which one should I use for data transfer?

 

[GhOsT1321]

I would recommend against putting your hard drive in the freezer ever. Hard Drives are mechanical so they prefer to be warm (excluding SSDs) also their lubricant may not function properly at low temperatures.
Are you sure it is the fact that your hard drive gets warm that is causing it to stop spinning?

 

[MindoverMaster]

Actually, the freezer trick does work. I've heard it being done by other members here and elsewhere. Heat should not cause it to not spin up unless you melted it. Heat, however, would hurt the data inside. The platter.

 

[Slaymate]

I've used the freezer trick before

I would leave it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. If it gets to cold the platter might not spin. I've had to freeze it, copy data, re-freeze, copy more data, etc...

Good Luck

 

[MindoverMaster]

So that's who I was trying to think who had done it before. it was you I was thinking of, Slay No pun intended.