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Urgent - Stolen laptop

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24

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    #32
    Cuddlesworth
    Registered Users Posts: 13,981 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    @Capt Midnight: I can only tell you again - the disk is PHYSICALLY damaged and experts have insisted (after billing to do so) that no data can be retrieved from it.

    I have sent the guts of twenty disks off to be repaired. one was run over by a a car twice and was physically bent. At least 90% of the data was recovered every time. In general the full 100% was recovered and this is with base hard-drive encryption. There are no companies in Ireland that can do this properly or have the correct equipment, most just do a quick check to see if the heads are gone then fire it off to places like on-track recovery.

    I think what Captain Midnight was saying and I agree, is you should ship the drive off to the UK and be prepared to pay 1K plus for recovery. And ignore being told the data is unrecoverable by a Irish company.


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    #33
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    Okay, for the last time - the firm in Phibsboro, who apparently have a clean room of their own, examined the harddrive and it was their opinion that the platter was so badly physically damaged that they did not believe anywhere would be able to retrieve data from it.
    That was their expressed opinion. They have referred customers to Britain, America and Switzerland in the past, apparently. They didn't on this occasion because they did not believe it would be worth it.
    I know people are only trying to suggest solutions, but trust me, they've all been explored at this point and the missing thesis exists only on that laptop. If anyone hears anything, please let the Gardai know, or you could PM me here. There is a reward for any information leading to its return.


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    #34
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    Something I just read made me think of this thread - Google just announced that nearly 1% of Gmail account holders just had all their data wiped.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12600179
    Something to think about in relation to backing up crucial data. Don't rely on the cloud to do it for you. Back up physically too.
    Anyhow, update on the computer issue is no update. Sadly, it hasn't emerged as yet. I hope ye all will keep an eye out for it.


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    #35
    Cuddlesworth
    Registered Users Posts: 13,981 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    Something I just read made me think of this thread - Google just announced that nearly 1% of Gmail account holders just had all their data wiped.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12600179
    Something to think about in relation to backing up crucial data. Don't rely on the cloud to do it for you. Back up physically too.
    Anyhow, update on the computer issue is no update. Sadly, it hasn't emerged as yet. I hope ye all will keep an eye out for it.

    How is .08% nearly 1%? Do you write for the daily mail by any chance?

    @OP. Nobody in Ireland has a clean room and the tools needed for Platter removal and recovery, there isn't enough business here to justify the absolutely huge setup and maintenance cost involved.

    Its next to impossible to damage the platters on a disk turned off. The heads are parked and the platters firmly in place. You could drop it off a three story building and get the data back. From experience. Drop the company in Ireland, deal with the 200 quid assessment from ON-track and get a actual specialist to look at it.


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    #36
    drBill
    Closed Accounts Posts: 329 ✭✭drBill


    Cuddlesworth wrote: »
    @OP. Nobody in Ireland has a clean room and the tools needed for Platter removal and recovery, there isn't enough business here to justify the absolutely huge setup and maintenance cost involved.

    Its next to impossible to damage the platters on a disk turned off. The heads are parked and the platters firmly in place. You could drop it off a three story building and get the data back. From experience. Drop the company in Ireland, deal with the 200 quid assessment from ON-track and get a actual specialist to look at it.

    +1 to all of that. And even if the platters are gouged, it should still be possible to retrieve some data from the undamaged parts. I've also dealt with On-track and found them good. Not cheap, but if the data is that important then it may be justified.

    Sorry to be labouring the point like this but I think the chances of retrieving the laptop complete with its data are pretty slim at this stage and that damaged disk is probably the last remaining hope.


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    #37
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    I'd just like to repeat - this thread is about a stolen laptop. It would be great if people could keep an eye out for it. Description as in OP. Thanks again.


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    #38
    Nothingbetter2d
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,038 ✭✭✭Nothingbetter2d


    did the guy who was writing the thesis ever email a draft to anyone? it might not be the full thesis but even an earlier draft could still save him alot of work redoing his thesis.


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    #39
    Cuddlesworth
    Registered Users Posts: 13,981 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    I'd just like to repeat - this thread is about a stolen laptop. It would be great if people could keep an eye out for it. Description as in OP. Thanks again.

    Your choice to ignore good advice. 22 Laptops stolen in four years, asset Tagged with reporting number, monitoring on both Dell and HP side for serial entry in drivers/support pages. Amount recovered.

    0


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    #40
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    I'm going to start reporting posts that don't relate to the stolen laptop mentioned in the OP.
    This thread is an appeal for people to keep their eyes out for that laptop.
    It's not a free-for-all for people to debate data retrieval services or discuss cloud computing back up methods.
    It's about a stolen laptop, that's all. Please keep an eye out for it if you can. If you don't have anything to say about this laptop, don't feel the need to post, thanks.


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    #41
    smokiebeverage
    Registered Users Posts: 255 ✭✭smokiebeverage


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    I'm going to start reporting posts that don't relate to the stolen laptop mentioned in the OP.
    This thread is an appeal for people to keep their eyes out for that laptop.
    It's not a free-for-all for people to debate data retrieval services or discuss cloud computing back up methods.
    It's about a stolen laptop, that's all. Please keep an eye out for it if you can. If you don't have anything to say about this laptop, don't feel the need to post, thanks.

    Couple of points

    1. You mentioned the damaged external drive which had the backup so you should have expected comments

    2. Without the discussion you wouldn't have 2000 ongoing views about the laptop, which must help in spreading the word.

    3. The majority of the posts were very valid posts from people genuinely trying to help your mate. I don't think you could call it a free for all.

    4. Aside from your mates laptop this could be a helpful tread to many people with damaged backups, which is another good thing about boards, it brings a lot of useful information together from some very talented people.

    I think you are being unfair to a lot of people who only tried to help and if I was you I'd be encouraging it to keep the laptop profile high.

    Cheers

    SB


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    #42
    twowheelsonly
    Registered Users Posts: 2,268 ✭✭✭twowheelsonly


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    I'm going to start reporting posts that don't relate to the stolen laptop mentioned in the OP.
    This thread is an appeal for people to keep their eyes out for that laptop.
    It's not a free-for-all for people to debate data retrieval services or discuss cloud computing back up methods.
    It's about a stolen laptop, that's all. Please keep an eye out for it if you can. If you don't have anything to say about this laptop, don't feel the need to post, thanks.

    That's absolutely shocking Cavehill.

    Practically every post here is in relation to helping your buddy to retrieve his data - the chances of retrieving the laptop are most likely quite slim but there is/was an outside chance of retrieving the data.
    The value to your buddy is in the data that the laptop contains - the laptop itself is probably only worth a pittance. The information given by some of the more knowledgeable posters here could be invaluable to yourself, your buddy and loads of others.

    Very poor form.

    Report me if you want.


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    #43
    Khannie
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 37,485 Mod ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    I'm going to start reporting posts that don't relate to the stolen laptop mentioned in the OP.

    Please don't. Threads are organic. They sometimes move on to discuss things other than the original post. People are just trying to help your friend recover his data (as was pointed out, the laptop itself is not important in the slightest). The fact that this thread is busy makes it more likely that the OP gets read.

    I'll certainly keep an eye out. Good luck with it.


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    #44
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    I would like to repeat - anyone wanting to talk about anything other than this laptop and its retrieval is invited to go and open a thread on it elsewhere.
    If you want to discuss data retrieval methods or anything else, this isn't the thread for it.
    People don't seem to be reading what I've written - there is a large bunch of us assisting this poor lad, and we have explored all the other options.
    I appreciate that boards attracts a higher than usual proportion of IT heads, some of whom might like to show off their knowledge. Again I ask that you refrain from that in this thread.
    I have to say that I'm very disappointed that the moderator is refusing to keep this thread on-topic. I know that the laptop's owner has accessed this thread from my computer and from net cafes in the hope of discovering some information that would lead to its recovery, and I can't express how downhearted he becomes when instead he reads a load of stuff that isn't relevant to that subject.


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    #45
    Khannie
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 37,485 Mod ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    People don't seem to be reading what I've written - there is a large bunch of us assisting this poor lad, and we have explored all the other options.

    People on here want to help and they want to be sure that you've properly explored all the available options. People who are posting on here have experience with data retrieval which is, by a stretch, currently your mostly likely option for retrieval of your friends data. Everyone is trying to help you.
    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    I appreciate that boards attracts a higher than usual proportion of IT heads, some of whom might like to show off their knowledge.

    That is condescending in the extreme. Everyone who has posted on here has been trying to help your friend in his hour of need. While I appreciate that you want the physical laptop back, the thread is partly about retrieval of his data and partly about retrieval of the laptop. You're the one who brought up the existence of the broken backup drive. People looked on it as the most likely way to retrieve the data and have tried to help you out there. I don't think you fully understand the level of damage that has to happen to a hard drive for data to be entirely unrecoverable. You're looking to retrieve what makes up probably less than a fraction of 1% of the drives data. It seems incomprehensible to me that you would tell people to stop telling you that this is a possibility given the importance of the data.

    Also, nobody has said that they will not help with the recovery of the actual laptop.
    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    I have to say that I'm very disappointed that the moderator is refusing to keep this thread on-topic. I know that the laptop's owner has accessed this thread from my computer and from net cafes in the hope of discovering some information that would lead to its recovery, and I can't express how downhearted he becomes when instead he reads a load of stuff that isn't relevant to that subject.

    It is entirely relevant to the retrieval of your friends data (which, unless I'm mistaken somehow, is the important thing). As I said, the thread being busy also helps ensure that more people read it and increases the likelyhood of retrieval of the laptop.

    Finally, you are back seat moderating. Do not do it again.


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    #46
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    Dear Moderator,
    This thread is about a stolen LAPTOP, not about data retrieval. It appears that I can't say that too many times.
    This thread is NOT about the retrieval of data. I can't say that too many times either.
    If people have any information to offer about retrieving the LAPTOP, I would be very interested in hearing it. There is a modest reward available for any information leading to its return.
    If people want to talk about some other topic, including that of data retrieval, I respectfully request that such posts are removed to a thread of their own.


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    #47
    Kinetic^
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,249 ✭✭✭✭Kinetic^


    Wow. You have 0.00001% chance of getting the laptop back. You have a broken HDD which can be sent to the UK to get the data recovered. That is your only option at this point in time. Advice on here is free and showing some respect to those providing that info doesn't cost anything either. Ingrate.


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    #48
    SickBoy
    Registered Users Posts: 3,526 ✭✭✭SickBoy


    I'm shocked at what I've read from the OP in the last few posts :eek:


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    #49
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    I sincerely hope that your friend has a better attitude than you.

    Pass on my best wishes to your friend, it's a terrible thing to happen. I will certainly keep an eye out and let your friend know if I find out any information but to be honest, I would rather deal with him directly (through the number that is on the poster near my house) than deal with you.

    Your attitude to people who are trying to help (or show off their IT skills as you would put it :rolleyes:) is disgraceful


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    #50
    mordeith
    Registered Users Posts: 5,278 ✭✭✭mordeith


    SickBoy wrote: »
    I'm shocked at what I've read from the OP in the last few posts :eek:

    Seconded. Its absolutely appalling really. As Khannie says the discussion keeps the post at top of the threads which means new viewers will see it. How he can honestly accuse people of 'hi-jacking' the thread is beyond me. Every poster has expressed genuine sympathy for the person who had the laptop stolen. If the thread was confined to information about the laptop there would be no replies and it would be buried about four pages down.


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    #51
    SteelyDanJalapeno
    Registered Users Posts: 14,240 ✭✭✭✭SteelyDanJalapeno


    :eek::eek::eek:

    How rude


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    #52
    JonathanAnon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,718 ✭✭✭✭JonathanAnon


    I'd agree with the above posters... the only realistic chance of getting the information back is using the backup.... You should be pursuing both paths anyway...


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    #53
    mach1982
    Registered Users Posts: 760 ✭✭✭mach1982


    If he gets the laptop back, which is very slim, how many sliver Dell laptops are there out there? Chances are that the hard drive will be removed or wiped.His best chance is the Removable Hrad drive .People here trying to help.What eles is on laptop that is so important ? The Thesis is on removable hardrive.


    To qoute Will Wheaton "Don't Be a Dick"


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    #54
    CiaranC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,300 ✭✭✭CiaranC


    Someone I know does a steady line in refurbed lappies from all kinds of sources. Ill pass the link to this thread. Although I dont think youve done your mate any favours OP.


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    #55
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    The thesis is NOT on the hard drive or any other back up format. This has been checked and checked again by professionals.
    I wish I hadn't mentioned the bloody hard drive. It's a dead end, a red herring, a McGuffin.
    The thesis is only on the laptop that was stolen, and as many of you have indicated, the chances of getting it returned are negligible, but nevertheless it is the only chance the lad has of retrieving many years of hard work.
    He's been stuck into trying to recreate it from scratch for the past few weeks, and while he's making progress it's nothing compared to the work that's been lost.
    Everyone appreciates that it's a long shot, but all that is being asked is that people keep an eye out for it. Thanks again.


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    #56
    GarRoIT
    Closed Accounts Posts: 76 ✭✭GarRoIT


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    This has been checked and checked again by professionals.
    I wish I hadn't mentioned the bloody hard drive. It's a dead end, a red herring, a McGuffin.

    No Hard Drive can be damaged so badly the data can't be recovered. In America the IT devision of the army, during testing has cut the physical disk in a drive into 4 peices, then burnt it and they were still able to recover data from it. So someone must have this technology somewhere.

    If you wanted to be big headed, ignorant, more knowledgeable then the IT people on boards and if your so sure it's broken, open the hard drive yourself, its only a few screws and unless the disc on the inside has suffered extreme physical damage the data CAN be recovered.

    You mentioned the hard drive, and the data that was needed in your OP so all of this is on topic. If you don't like it you dont belong on boards. I can't see why you dont like the extra publicity for the thread, as it is generating extra intrest in the laptop.

    I am absolutely discusted with your lack of respect for the other members of boards. I work in an IT repair shop and we often have to wipe laptops and reinstall them. Usually if a repair looks dodgy (e.g. the owner donsn't know the password, the user name + owner name dont match) we will send the serial to the Gardai to see if anything comes up. If I come accross your friends laptop I will make sure it's not reported and I will make sure to wipe the data so many times it will be exteremly difficult to recover if you ever do get the laptop back.

    Your looking for help from an online community. I think the smart thing to do would be to be nice to them, show some respect and be greatful for their help.


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    #57
    AdrianII
    Registered Users Posts: 1,488 ✭✭✭AdrianII


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    The irony here is especially painful - he HAD the thing backed up on an external harddrive until last Saturday when the harddrive was dropped down a flight of stairs and completely destroyed (disk physically damaged - all data irretrievable.) He was only without back up for less than 48 hours..


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    The thesis is NOT on the hard drive or any other back up format.

    Hi OP,
    from working within the IT industry yu are getting alot of good advice here, my advise is to take some of it.

    Chances are the laptop is gone, not what you want to hear. Long gone infact.
    From your original post you said he was without a backup for 48 hours now there was never a copy on the HD???

    any way all the best finding it but the HD is your only hope. Sorry


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    #58
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    There was a back up on the hard drive. But the hard drive is destroyed. The platters are irretrievably shattered. This has been checked by two sets of professionals, in Dublin and in the UK.
    So let's all forget the hard drive. We're looking for the laptop. Every one knows the chances of retrieving it are slim, and the chances of retrieving it with data are even slimmer.
    But miracles sometimes happen. I'm just trying to get the word out among a cohort of knowledgeable people, who just might remember this thread when they next see a silver Dell laptop, and might be inspired to inquire about its origins. And maybe it'll be my mate's laptop. Anything's possible. Unlikely? Sure. But possible. So that's all I'm trying to achieve here.


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    #59
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    GarRoIT wrote: »
    N If I come accross your friends laptop I will make sure it's not reported and I will make sure to wipe the data so many times it will be exteremly difficult to recover if you ever do get the laptop back.

    I'd like to think you wouldn't do that, because not only would it be a despicable act, but it would also be harming the wrong target, assuming you mean to have a go at me and not the computer's owner, and in addition it would be entirely illegal.

    Hopefully the rest of the computer repair industry is not similarly inclined to illegality and outright, ill-aimed spite.

    Edit: I just noticed that you're actually a schoolkid, so I'm going to work on the assumption that either a) you're lying and don't work at all, b) you don't work in computer repairs, since you don't have a computer of your own yet or c) would not be permitted by any responsible boss to act as you describe. In short, grow up.


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    #60
    Shane St.
    Registered Users Posts: 2,797 ✭✭✭Shane St.


    any news cavehill? pure dry some scumbags out there


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    #61
    Cavehill Red
    Registered Users Posts: 6,109 ✭✭✭Cavehill Red


    Shane St. wrote: »
    any news cavehill? pure dry some scumbags out there

    Well, the laptop wasn't returned as of this evening anyhow. Gardai have a good idea which particular scummers may be responsible but as is so often the case, without hard evidence in the way of CCTV footage or the like, they can't get a warrant to raid their residence.

    They got cash and valuables too, and may be working through sticking that up their arms for a while until they need to sell the laptop. They may have seen the posters up in the area and decided to sit on it for a bit. Who knows? It's possible it might emerge yet.

    I was reading that article today about the poor Chinese violinist who sat down in London to have a sandwich and some pikeys stole her Stradivarius. They tried to pass it on the following day for £120, a violin worth millions. What's worse is even though they got busted eventually, the violin is gone. The pikeys say it was stolen from them (more like fenced on). That chick probably owes hundreds of thousands on that violin. All her wealth was in that instrument. She's no house, no car. Now she's likely got a debt multiple times bigger than a mortgage to repay, and lost all her accrued assets in one go.

    So, fair enough, my mate's not in that boat. Perspective is a great thing. He's sort of resigned to the loss now and is working like a Trojan to start over. Very admirable, and the correct response I suppose.

    But there's something in me wishes that the sort of filth who got banged up today for nicking that violin or the scum who stole my mate's laptop would face real consequences for their actions. Escalating sentences for multiple offences would be a good start. That scummer in England had 50 odd convictions. He should never have seen the light of day again after the tenth.

    I can sort of comprehend (without condoning) thieving from companies or desperate people stealing food. At a stretch I can even understand bank or post office robberies. But I cannot remotely conceive of the mentality of someone who considers it legitimate to take other individuals' property. It's one of those things I'll never understand.


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