Recover Win98 HDD

So there, there is really important data on this fat partition that contains Win98. I tried taking out the hdd to put it in my machine to do a backup, once the backup done, i reconnected the hdd in the original machine. Now i get a "disk error replace the disk and press any key" message. I tried in different computers, different hdd but still the same error. When i try to read what's on the drive i see files but with weird characters like this:


I believe my hdd is dead, any way i can get my stuff back or fix the hardrive?

PS. Any help is appreciated... it's really important data

[Moderator]

http://www.dtidata.com/resourcecenter/2007/04/23/how-to-slave-hard-drive/

the hdd is set as MASTER and it's the only one in the machine. Why would i want to put it as SLAVE?

[Moderator]

Why not read the tutorial and find that out ? ?

I think i forgot to say that i plugged the hdd in my xp machine with an usb-to-ide adapter and already ran a recovery tool. It recovered random files like the windows directory and dos apps. Nothing of the important stuff i need though.

I need a way to make  the disk bootable again..if possible

[Moderator]

Read/watch the tutorial again.....then you can get all the data...

This tutorial shows how to slave a drive. I need the drive to be able to boot when it's the only one plugged in. Like i said in a previous post, i was able to SEE what's on the drive but it's all weird characters and inaccessible. I did read the tutorial and it's telling stuff that i already know about. Anyone can actually HELP me?

thanks.

Any recovery tool you suggest? Xp has a repair option, any chance that win98 had one?

The USB thing is not the best way to go. USB interfaces can scramble data. Not recommended unless it is the last resort.

You need to slave the hard drive in a working machine. The working machine will see it as the second drive and you can look at the data.

If this is too much for  you,  find somebody in your area that will do it.

No, i'm a new graduated IT Tech and i know what i'm doing when it comes to lots of things. I didn't know that USB devices could scramble data though lol. Thanks.

[Moderator]

USB devices do not "scramble data" - whatever that means.

And it's the same thing when i boot with 2 hdds, the files on the second hdd are inaccessible and all renamed with weird characters. Any recovery tools for win98?

USB devices do not "scramble data" - whatever that means.

Many USB devices sold are out of specification. The don't work right. Error recovery is very poor.

What about putting the original drive back in the machine and booting with a Linux live cd. You'll be running everything off of the cd and maybe the files will be able to be accessed. If so, then just plug in another usb drive and move them off.

Won't know if it works until you try.

Anyone can actually HELP me?

Mr newly graduated expert, the data on that disk has died and gone to heaven. Accept it. You aren't going to get it back. It is gone.

Never said i was an expert dumbass.

Thanks to patio, kando and Geek. I gave up lol