You can save your lost data without a backup

Got a HDD (Hard-Disc-Drive)(AKA: Harddrive) with all of your important data that just crashed? Have you given up on your lost information? Did you forget to backup? Well don't give up just yet! I have a tip that may just get you data back.

This may not work in all cases, but in many it does. If your drive just died and you have not continuously tried to get it to boot over and over, even if its making the clicking noises, or if its making a lot of noises, but still runs, then there is hope.

The answer is simple. But first you will have to get a new HDD. After all, your current drive is either dead or really close to it, and you need somewhere put the data that you are about to retrieve from the old drive.

Remove the old drive from the computer/laptop. Install the new drive and get your OS (Windows/MAC/Linux...) installed and running. Then put old drive into a freezer bag and put it into the freezer for at least 12 hours. This is not a joke, it really works. Just remember that you must work quickly and get the files while the drive is still frozen, so make sure that you have the computer ready to transfer files. You may only get one chance at this. It does not always work a second time.

When you are ready, pull the drive out of the freezer and freezer bag and either install it as a slave drive in your tower or install it into a external USB HDD encloser while still frozen. boot up the computer/laptop and make sure that the OS can see the HDD and has assigned it a drive letter. If not, and you are sure everything is connected correctly and settings are correct, then you may be out of luck. If your computer does see it, then your good to get some files, maybe not all, depends on the drives condition. As quickly as possible, browse the drive and copy the needed files to your new drive. I would suggest getting the most important files first then on to the least important ones because your are running on borrowed time and who knows how long the drive will continue to run.

I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me out through the years.