I have to forensically image a Seagate Baracuda 7200.10 serial ata drive from a Linux-based CCTV system. The drive is functioning and I saw it working before being removed from the CCTV unit.
When I connect it to my windows PC via either my Tableau or my Weibetech write blockers, neither write blocker can see the drive. I have changed pc also, along with cables, but still to no avail.
Am I missing something obvious here as I have had drives previously that the computer can't see, but never before that my write blockers can't see……?
Any help will be graciously acknowledged and thanking you in advance.
Can you reconnect it back to the CCTV system to confirm it wasn't broken during transport?
A small risk, but can you directly connect it to Windows PC motherboard and see if it appears in BIOS, without booting from the drive.
Have you tried to use a linux system? SIFT toolkit the linux version?
Linux has an ext2 -ext4 filesystem, thats absolutely fine your windows machine is unable to read the hard drive. however if you try a linux operating system, you can use mmls command to view the volumes and mount-ewf to mount the drive.
Tell me what happens?
Thai you. I will give it a try and will let you know.
David
Passmark, thanks. I am hoping to avoid doing that if possible. I removed, packed and transported it myself, so it hasn't been damaged as far as I know. I will try connecting to my Linux machine first and see what happens.
Cheers,
David
Even though the Filesystem may be an EXT2-4 filesystem, this shouldn't be an issue for imaging a whole disk (physical device), as I'm assuming you are trying to do?
Do you have another method of imaging other than through your writeblocker? I take it the disk is spinning up when connected. Have you tried something like disk duplicator (if you have access to it)?
Is the drive still spinning?
Can you feel the heads moving when you power up.
Does the tableau SATA Detect light come on?
From what you say, it does sound like a physical failure. Until physically recognised, no software (PC or Linux) will see anything.
FYI, I have found my Tableau T35 very good at reading marginal drives.
Hi Michael,
The sata detect light isn't coming on. Yes, spinning. I will power it up again tonight as out today and let you know about the heads.
Cheers,
David