Blue screen of death

purplecow1977

I use my WD passport a lot. I plugged it in this morning as usual. The file i wanted was open since Friday, but wasn't updated version so attempted to open the new one from my external. It disappeared when I clicked on it! Resulting in blue screen of death. Computer started fine afterwards without external plugged in.

I came home. Same thing on my personal laptop. I'll attach a pic of the blue screen. I can't get it loaded up in order to do a virus scan.

What can I do? What are the chances my files will be recovered?



I'd be really grateful if you could help me out. Thanks in advance.

degsie

If it's killing Windows, try a Linux Live CD and see if you can access your external drive.

ED E

USB mas storage really shouldn't be able to BSOD a machine, it doesn't have DMA like TB/FW.

If you connect it doesn't it instantly crash or only if you try to open it? Given that its two windows systems its nuking Id try an ubuntu bootable to see if the linux drivers gracefully handle whatever bad data its throwing.

purplecow1977

degsie wrote: »

If it's killing Windows, try a Linux Live CD and see if you can access your external drive.

Is this an actual CD I'm supposed to borrow off someone? Afraid anyone I know is a Windows head - don't know anyone using Linux! :-( (My computer knowledge isn't too vast I'm afraid).

ED E

You can burn a cd yourself, or make a bootable USB key.

purplecow1977

ED E wrote: »

USB mas storage really shouldn't be able to BSOD a machine, it doesn't have DMA like TB/FW.

If you connect it doesn't it instantly crash or only if you try to open it? Given that its two windows systems its nuking Id try an ubuntu bootable to see if the linux drivers gracefully handle whatever bad data its throwing.

When I connect it, it does instantly crash, but it didn't this morning when I opened it first. It was only when I went to open the file I was working on yesterday (which was just a flipchart on ActivInspire) that it went wrong.

What's an ubuntu bootable? Is it something I download? I'm sorry, you'll have to be blunt!

purplecow1977

ED E wrote: »

You can burn a cd yourself, or make a bootable USB key.

Is it downloadable? (At the risk of sounding extremely stupid)

ED E

100%, the Irish educational network (HEANET) even host it.

https://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ubuntu-cdimage/ubuntu/releases/14.04/release/ubuntu-14.04.3-desktop-amd64+mac.iso

purplecow1977

Thank you Ed. So, I download it, put it on a USB (a different one!!) , then do what?

PeterTheEighth

If it did caused the same blue screen of death on both laptop and desktop, then I wouldnt think that it will work in Linux. Still no harm in trying. Seems like it might be a hardware fault.

Is it possible that you damaged it the drive or the USB cable?
Does the USB port feel loose - this happens quite a bit?
Can you try another USB cable?

purplecow1977

PeterTheEighth wrote: »

If it did caused the same blue screen of death on both laptop and desktop, then I wouldnt think that it will work in Linux. Still no harm in trying. Seems like it might be a hardware fault.

Is it possible that you damaged it the drive or the USB cable?
Does the USB port feel loose - this happens quite a bit?
Can you try another USB cable?

I was using the drive yesterday and it worked fine. When I plugged it in this morning, it didn't cause any error until I tried to open the flipchart.

I tried another cable, but the laptop didn't recognise it at all so I'm not sure if the cable was faulty or not. I could try a 3rd cable.

And yes, it caused the same screen on both laptop and desktop.

How likely is it that a computer shop could recover the data? It's just word documents/powerpoints/flipcharts but it's data that I spent time on over the last wihle (I know I should have backed it up, but it's too late for hindsight now) :-(

Keplar240B

purplecow1977 wrote: »

Thank you Ed. So, I download it, put it on a USB (a different one!!) , then do what?

Linux is a open source Operating system like MS windows and Apple MacOS
There are many different types, called distros, someone recommend the distro Ubuntu go with that
You can download most for free and create a bootable CD or USB drive
UNetbootin software See here
UNetbootin allows you to create bootable Live USB drives for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions without burning a CD.
https://unetbootin.github.io/

Download a Linux distro ISO
Download Unetbootin software
create your bootable USB with Unetbootin
change your bIOS to boot from USB
Your computer will now start in a Linux environment

The idea here is the problem that is crashing windows may not crash Linux as it is a different/better operating system , it may see the drive fine and you can copy your files off.

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Can you see the device icon before it crashes?
You might be able to scan it for errors on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ACiT3GMcNs

purplecow1977

Keplar240B wrote: »

Linux is a open source Operating system like MS windows and Apple MacOS
There are many different types, called distros, someone recommend the distro Ubuntu go with that
You can download most for free and create a bootable CD or USB drive
UNetbootin software See here
UNetbootin allows you to create bootable Live USB drives for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions without burning a CD.
https://unetbootin.github.io/

Download a Linux distro ISO
Download Unetbootin software
create your bootable USB with Unetbootin
change your bIOS to boot from USB
Your computer will now start in a Linux environment

The idea here is the problem that is crashing windows may not crash Linux as it is a different/better operating system , it may see the drive fine and you can copy your files off.

---

---

Can you see the device icon before it crashes?
You might be able to scan it for errors on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ACiT3GMcNs

I can't see the device at all. If the computer is on, and I plug the external in, then it crashes immediately. I don't have an opportunity to scan it unfortunately.

Even if I can't remove the files I need, what are the chances a computer shop can? I didn't sleep last night because I could really do with those files and I'm kicking myself over stupidity of not having them backed up.

degsie

Initially you stated you got the BSOD when attempting to open a file which resided on an external drive. Now you say that your comp crashes immediatly when you attach the same external drive, so has the situation changed?

purplecow1977

degsie wrote: »

Initially you stated you got the BSOD when attempting to open a file which resided on an external drive. Now you say that your comp crashes immediatly when you attach the same external drive, so has the situation changed?

No, the situation has not changed.

Initially, before any BSOD, I connected the hard drive, as I do every morning.
IT was only when I went to open a file, that I got the BSOD.
Since then, the minute I connect the external, I get the BSOD.
Had I known yesterday there was a possible issue with the hard drive, I would have scanned first yesterday morning.
I didn't drop it, yank the cable, move it to cause this reaction. It just seemed to occur after I opened a file.

Sorry for any confusion.

PeterTheEighth

Take your time with this. think it through and dont do anything rash. Unfortunately your window for getting data from that drive may be limited.

It seems to me like there is a hardware failure. This normally breaks down to an error with:
- The enclosure, USB port, accompanying circuitry, and hard disk interface.
- The physical disk itself.

I would first look online and see if there is a disk in the enclosure with a "regular" hard disk, with regular SATA power/data connectors. This may allow you to take the disk from the enclosure and plug straight in to a regular PC.

maybe post the full model number of it here.

purplecow1977

I don't know what that entails so I think I'll just leave it. Time for the experts. Thought there'd be more traffic here!

degsie

It's a lesson for everyone. Back up your stuff!

purplecow1977

Really tough lesson, I possibly may cry when the IT guy tells me the data is irrecoverable.

Keplar240B

are you using sonic dla software or Roxio CD burner software on your computers by any chance?

http://support.wdc.com/KnowledgeBase/answer.aspx?ID=3818
https://community.wd.com/t/my-passport-essential-se-blue-screen-of-death/6952

TallGlass

Try disabling any anti virus software on the machine and see if it runs then. Can you open the drive on any other computer or do you get the same problem?

purplecow1977

TallGlass wrote: »

Try disabling any anti virus software on the machine and see if it runs then. Can you open the drive on any other computer or do you get the same problem?

I have tried it on 2 other computers and it is the same. I expect I might be doing more damage than good by repeatedly connecting it and hoping for a miracle so today I don't think I'm going to try it. Mini dump files have been created but I can't open them. Don't know if they'd be helpful anyway. Two errors have shown depending on cables I think.
IRQL NOT EQUAL I think and another about NON PAGED something or other.

PeterTheEighth

purplecow1977 wrote: »

I don't know what that entails so I think I'll just leave it. Time for the experts. Thought there'd be more traffic here!

It's just not one of those things that you can give simple advice on. I've had two of those come in to the office in a similar situation and I couldnt get anything back from them. And that's with them in my hand where I can actually work on them.

But check what I said about the hard drive, you might get lucky and find that it is an issue with the enclosure and not the hard drive.

purplecow1977

PeterTheEighth wrote: »

It's just not one of those things that you can give simple advice on. I've had two of those come in to the office in a similar situation and I couldnt get anything back from them. And that's with them in my hand where I can actually work on them.

But check what I said about the hard drive, you might get lucky and find that it is an issue with the enclosure and not the hard drive.

Thanks Peter, I wouldn't be confident checking anything internally and would be fearful I'd do more damage than good.

Getting someone to have a look at it tomorrow so pray for me! (Even if you're not the religious type!!!!!!!!)

Will disabling my antivirus & connecting the hard drive to experiment as suggested above do more damage overall?

degsie

purplecow1977 wrote: »

Will disabling my antivirus & connecting the hard drive to experiment as suggested above do more damage overall?

Like most things in life there is always a degree of uncertainty. I have come across many failure mechanisms on HDD (internal/external), you get a feel for it, sometimes by listening for clicks, feeling for vibrations etc. The very worse scenario is the head crash on the internal platters, rare enough these days.

Fingers crossed you get a good outcome. While waiting, set up an online storage account and make sure to engage a good backup strategy from here on in.

purplecow1977

degsie wrote: »

Like most things in life there is always a degree of uncertainty. I have come across many failure mechanisms on HDD (internal/external), you get a feel for it, sometimes by listening for clicks, feeling for vibrations etc. The very worse scenario is the head crash on the internal platters, rare enough these days.

Fingers crossed you get a good outcome. While waiting, set up an online storage account and make sure to engage a good backup strategy from here on in.

Haha thanks - I haven't been in the form to recreate anything this week so I'm keeping my fingers crossed but will definitely set up an online storage facility, and purchase another back up as a back up!

I tried to do the Linux thing but had no look creating a bootable USB. I'm clearly not intelligent enough for this sort of thing, but I'm hoping against hope that my data can be salvaged.

Thanks for the help.

(Tried a third cable, it doesn't seem to work ie. the light comes on the external, I can hear whirring, but there's no blue screen but neither does the computer seem to recognise the device at all..........)

purplecow1977

So I might need an enclosure thing or it might be the USB controller. (according to IT man)

Anyone have any recommendations on places in Maynooth or nearby before I try a data recovery place? How much do data recovery places charge (at most)?

purplecow1977

Serial number is WXB1A54LMRLP Peter, not sure if that helps.

Thanks for your help so far. Where are you based, perhaps I could just bring it to you & avail of your services?!

degsie

purplecow1977 wrote: »

Serial number is WXB1A54LMRLP Peter, not sure if that helps.

Thanks for your help so far. Where are you based, perhaps I could just bring it to you & avail of your services?!

You'd really have to open up the enclosure and get the make and model number of the drive for anyone here to make suggestions as to the type of new enclosure you may need.

PeterTheEighth

purplecow1977 wrote: »

Serial number is WXB1A54LMRLP Peter, not sure if that helps. Thanks for your help so far. Where are you based, perhaps I could just bring it to you & avail of your services?!

Hey, the product code/model number would be the number I would be looking for. I'm based in Kildare, but tbh where you are with it now I'm not sure I would be able to assist much. It may be a job for the hard drive experts at this point. But post the model number and we'll take it from there.

dubgurl

Get one of these: http://www.pcworld.ie/action/searchsite/enclosure-25 - a 2.5" hdd enclosure and hook it up to your laptop via USB. If it works then you will be able to get into Windows Explorer to access the folders.

PeterTheEighth

dubgurl wrote: »

Get one of these: http://www.pcworld.ie/action/searchsite/enclosure-25 - a 2.5" hdd enclosure and hook it up to your laptop via USB. If it works then you will be able to get into Windows Explorer to access the folders.

NOOOOO. not yet. You have to make sure that the disk has regular SATA connectors. A lot of those external USB drives have proprietary connectors.

purplecow1977

PeterTheEighth wrote:

NOOOOO. not yet. You have to make sure that the disk has regular SATA connectors. A lot of those external USB drives have proprietary connectors.

Don't worry, not buying one. Very expensive and then may not even work anyway!

Left it into a shop. Fingers crossed!

purplecow1977

For anyone who might be interested, it's not good news.
I was called today to say that they couldn't retrieve my data.
I haven't collected it yet so I don't know the exact problem (it was a voicemail).
To say I'm gutted is an understatement. A lot of time wasted. I've heard it could cost almost €1000 to retrieve data with a data recovery company (I assume that's not the price if it can't be retrieved!) but I'm not willing to spend that much on it! So, onwards and upwards. Is something like Google Drive my next best option in order to begin again?

degsie

Have a read here. Some swear by the 3-2-1 strategy.

dubgurl

purplecow1977 wrote: »

Don't worry, not buying one. Very expensive and then may not even work anyway!

Left it into a shop. Fingers crossed!

Sorry - I meant this link http://www.pcworld.ie/category/enclosures/403.4.5, not the other one.

Too bad it didn't work out with repair guys.

purplecow1977

So I picked up hard drive today. I was told that they were unable to hook it up to their machine at all as the USB connector is connected internally and can't be removed in order to be checked in their enclosure thingy. Does this make sense to anyone? He told me my only option may be data recovery and that they'll do an assessment for 40 euro or so. Does anyone have any experience with datarecovery.ie?

Keplar240B

purplecow1977 wrote: »

So I picked up hard drive today. I was told that they were unable to hook it up to their machine at all as the USB connector is connected internally and can't be removed in order to be checked in their enclosure thingy. Does this make sense to anyone? He told me my only option may be data recovery and that they'll do an assessment for 40 euro or so. Does anyone have any experience with datarecovery.ie?

This video might be relevant to you.
How to recover data from wd passport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsnS6N9veFg

purplecow1977

Keplar240B wrote: »

This video might be relevant to you.
How to recover data from wd passport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsnS6N9veFg

I see a screwdriver or some tool and bits of a drive..... I don't think I'm the best person to start attacking and ripping apart my HD as then all hope is definitely lost! But I'll watch the vid!

rucksack

purplecow1977 wrote: »

I see a screwdriver or some tool and bits of a drive..... I don't think I'm the best person to start attacking and ripping apart my HD as then all hope is definitely lost! But I'll watch the vid!

in your op you say "The file i wanted was open since Friday,"
Did you remove the external drive without closing the file?
So the currentsituation is your files are on the external and you cannot plug it in without BSOD?
Have you tried starting a pc in safe mode and connecting it? I am not even sure you can but if you removed it without closeing the file you may have damaged it and the damage may be conflicting with a driver that won't run in safe mode

If you stop it restarting when the bsod strikes, win 7 instructions here http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/automatic-restart-windows-7.htm would you be able to manually start with the disk plugged in? Or just turn off pc.plug in disk and start it

purplecow1977

rucksack wrote: »

in your op you say "The file i wanted was open since Friday,"
Did you remove the external drive without closing the file?
So the currentsituation is your files are on the external and you cannot plug it in without BSOD?
Have you tried starting a pc in safe mode and connecting it? I am not even sure you can but if you removed it without closeing the file you may have damaged it and the damage may be conflicting with a driver that won't run in safe mode

If you stop it restarting when the bsod strikes, win 7 instructions here http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/automatic-restart-windows-7.htm would you be able to manually start with the disk plugged in? Or just turn off pc.plug in disk and start it

I cannot connect it without the BSOD coming up, including in Safe Mode.

rucksack

purplecow1977 wrote: »

I cannot connect it without the BSOD coming up, including in Safe Mode.

Did you try turning off pc. connecting and turning on? If you did this try connecting the ext and booting with paragon bootable rescue media https://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/