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Web site Tech Republic presents a failed hard drive challenge to its tech support readers. One way to resuscitate the busted drive long enough to get a backup? Stick it in the freezer.

One of the methods I have used before is to actually remove the drive from the PC, place it in the freezer for a day, then quickly put it back in the machine and try to access it. Why does this work? Who knows, but I heard about this tactic years ago, and it has saved my behind on a couple of occasions.


Any lifehackers ever freeze a hard drive back to life? Let us know in the comments or to tips at lifehacker.com.

Get IT Done: 200 ways to revive a hard drive (Freeze It) [Tech Republic via Googler Operatiing System]


UPDATE: Looks like someone's got a case of the Fridays. Sorry for the duplicate post, folks!