Cloning/Fixing Failed HDD

[Newcoppiceman]

The original Seagate Pipeline HD 500GB HDD in our venerable HDR-Fox T2 has finally failed. The PVR is now back in service with a drive from one of our two spare units pro tem to see us through the Christmas period (hopefully). I could install CF on one of the spare units, but I guess conventional tools for cloning, then fixing the clone (treating it as any other HDD) will suffice, the plan then being to fit the clone (with about 250GB of content) back in the PVR. The faulty drive did produce a "format" prompt at start-up a couple of times back in October 2019 (the first I took literally, the second I chased away) but had been fine ever since. In repeated testing since it failed, I did once get the HDD to pass start-up and could access the media menu. The first time it failed a SeaTools Short Drive Self Test - but subsequently passed; the Short Generic Test hung, apparently because the USB-Sata adapter was blocking commands. Similarly, CrystalDiskInfo didn't find the drive due to blocked SMART commands, it seems. Windows Disk Management finds three healthy primary partitions of (1.00, 454.75 and 10.00 GB) so the partition table is intact and the problem seems to be with the file system integrity within those EXT3 partitions. Should be an interesting journey for someone whose background is electronics, rather than IT; naturally, hummy.tv will be a great resource - as MS Copilot already has been. First step might be to find a way of connecting the drive to a laptop which doesn't block commands. Any thoughts?

 

[prpr]

The problem is probably fundamentally with the disk surface, so attempting to do anything with the filesystem is pointless until you have got a stable hardware platform. As you have already had SMART errors, then connect old and new drives to a PC, preferably by SATA, but failing that a decent dual SATA-USB adapter and clone sector by sector. You could look at the SMART on the old to confirm its demise, but it sounds mostly academic. Then find a bootable Linux for the PC and fix the filesystems on the new disk. I'd do the clone with Linux also, but have used AOMEI on Windows quite a bit over the years for similar tasks. Simples. Oh, and use the Return key a bit more.

 

[Newcoppiceman]

1. A stable hardware platform. 2. Connect old and new drives to a PC, preferably by SATA, but failing that a decent dual SATA-USB adapter. 3. I'd do the clone with Linux also, but have used AOMEI on Windows.

Thanks for the comments.

1. I take this to mean tackle the file system problems not on the failing HDD but on a properly functioning HDD which has been used to clone the faulty drive - MS Copilot advised the same.

2. Sadly, I don't have direct Sata connectivity. The cheapie no-name adapter I bought years ago uses the Moai MA6116A chip; MS Copilot recommended several converters using proven chips such as the ASMedia ASM1153E so I've just ordered a StarTech USB312SAT3 converter together with a Seagate Skyhawk ST1000VX013 1TB HDD as target for the cloning.

3. I've dabbled with Ubuntu previously but as well as ddrescue (Linux) it also suggests HDD Raw Copy Tool and Clonezilla (Windows options). I already use Macrium Reflect for laptop backups so will investigate its sector mode as this was mentioned in passing by MS Copilot. I'll also check out AOMEI.

MS Copilot thought it would be fine to use my existing USB-Sata converter to connect the target HDD while using the new fully-transparent converter for the fragile source HDD, allowing SMART visibility, etc.

I'm still digesting MS Copilot's outpourings - naturally, I did originally suggest hummy.tv as a source of info.

 

[prpr]

I take this to mean tackle the file system problems not on the failing HDD but on a properly functioning HDD which has been used to clone the faulty drive

Indeed. Don't write anything to the old drive, and don't power/read it until you're ready to clone it.

I've just ordered a StarTech USB312SAT3 converter

How does that power the drive? I've got an Akasa Duodock x2 and wouldn't be without it. Just one power cable and one USB cable and you can slot in one or two HDD or SSD as required. Startech do something similar.

a Seagate Skyhawk ST1000VX013 1TB HDD as target for the cloning.

Looks good.

I've dabbled with Ubuntu previously but as well as ddrescue (Linux) it also suggests HDD Raw Copy Tool and Clonezilla (Windows options). I already use Macrium Reflect for laptop backups so will investigate its sector mode as this was mentioned in passing by MS Copilot. I'll also check out AOMEI.

I just use dd on Linux, although ddrescue may be handy if you need it (I never have). No idea about any of those others.

use my existing USB-Sata converter to connect the target HDD while using the new fully-transparent converter for the fragile source HDD, allowing SMART visibility, etc.

I guess that must power the drive and as you have it it seems sensible to make use of it.

 

[Newcoppiceman]

The new adapter (about £30 on Amazon, arrives tomorrow) comes with its own power brick (12V only I presume) for plugging into the adapter. Likewise, the other adapter has a 12V in jack. The target drive arrives in a few days and I was going to investigate the failing drive with the new adapter in the meantime. Given your comments, however, I will extract the HDD from the our second spare unit and check with SeaTools, CrystalDiskInfo and maybe some of the other analysis tools suggested by MS Copilot. Thanks again for your interest and comments.