Sony Vaio laptops have been widely used for personal and professional computing, relying on 2.5″ IDE hard drives for data storage. However, when a hard drive makes a whirring sound but is not detected, it often indicates a motor that is spinning but read/write heads that have failed, making stored data inaccessible.
This case study details how we successfully recovered critical files for a client in Guildford from a Sony Vaio laptop with a WD 2.5″ IDE hard drive, after the drive spun up but was not recognized by the system.
As Guildford Data Recovery, Surrey’s oldest and best data recovery company, we have 25 years of experience using cleanroom head replacement, deep sector scanning, and forensic data extraction techniques to restore lost files securely.
Sony Vaio Laptop Hard Drive Whirring but Not Detected
A Guildford-based client contacted us after their Sony Vaio laptop hard drive failed, with the following issues:
- The drive made a whirring sound when powered on.
- The laptop and external adapters did not detect the hard drive.
- BIOS failed to recognise the drive, preventing data access.
- The drive contained essential work documents, personal files, and family photos.
Since continued power cycles on a failing drive can worsen internal damage, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Sony Vaio laptop’s WD 2.5″ IDE hard drive arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and disk diagnostic. Our findings:
- Motor was running, but read/write heads were damaged, preventing data retrieval.
- Platter surfaces showed no major damage, increasing the likelihood of full data recovery.
- No mechanical failure in the spindle motor, meaning a cleanroom head replacement was required.
Since a failed read/write head prevents data from being accessed, we prioritized cleanroom head replacement and non-intrusive data extraction.
The Recovery Process
1. Cleanroom Hard Drive Disassembly & Read/Write Head Replacement
To restore access to the drive, we:
- Opened the WD 2.5″ IDE hard drive in a dust-free cleanroom.
- Removed the faulty read/write heads and replaced them with donor heads from a matching model.
- Reassembled the drive and recalibrated it for data extraction.
2. Imaging & Cloning the Repaired Hard Drive
Once the read/write heads were replaced, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector forensic clone of the Sony Vaio hard drive.
- Used specialised recovery tools to extract all readable data while bypassing any bad sectors.
3. Extracting & Verifying Critical Data
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Recovered all work documents, photos, and videos.
- Rebuilt file structures to restore lost directories.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external backup device.
The Results: 95% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our cleanroom head replacement and forensic imaging techniques, we successfully recovered 95% of the client’s lost files, including:
✅ Work documents, spreadsheets, and reports
✅ Personal photos, videos, and digital archives
✅ Organized file structures restored for easy access
The client was able to retrieve all essential files, preventing personal and professional data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful hard drive recoveries, we are England’s leading Sony Vaio data recovery specialists. Our expertise includes:
✔ Read/write head replacement & motor diagnostics
✔ Cleanroom mechanical hard drive recovery
✔ Deep forensic imaging & data extraction
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery services
If your laptop hard drive is spinning but not being detected, making a whirring sound, or preventing access to critical files, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.