Right, as an update to this and really just because I want to stick a bit of fear into all those that don't back their data up. I know everyone knows its a good idea, but like me, most of us don't do it, let's be honest.

So, as I said in the original post. This 500gb drive is probably about 70% full, at a guess. It contains alot of stuff, but mainly a folder I call 'Archive', which although not that big in terms of physical size, it is where I dump all my stuff. So, when I have a folder of pics that I have sorted out, they go in there. All my music is in there (OK, most I have the CD's for in the loft), setup files for programs that I don't have the disc for are in there. Every document I have ever written is in there, so CV's, letters, articles I've written etc etc.

To elaborate more on the pictures. I have a folder of several hundred pictures in date-named folders that we took as we renovated our Bungalow. Right from the derelict beginning, practically to the finished article. There are lots of photos of our pet's (all were dear to us and have now passed, so not nice to lose).

Every holiday we have ever had has a folder in there. Every car show I have attended has a folder. Every family event that I took my camera to has a folder. Our recent Honeymoon has a folder, consisting of several hundred pics and about 60-70 HD videos from Dubai and the Maldives.

I'm sure this is just scratching the surface, but what comes to mind instantly. So, I know that not backing it up was beyond stupid.

I've been trying for about a week now to access this drive. I've tried so many different bits of software and have managed to retrieve about a dozen usable files, but nothing of any worth. I've lost count of the amount of times this drive has been in and out of the freezer. Right now I can no longer access it, so that looks to be pretty much it.

On the plus side, I've found a DVD from 2006 which had the folder backed up that far, but of course only really contains the pictures from up to that time. So, all is not lost, although I reckon I've taken alot more photo's in recent years, possibly 2 or 3 times as many as I did in this early period. I have also found one of the two SD cards that I took on our Honeymoon, so have the first few days worth of pics and videos, the other card has since been reformatted. Luckily I have these all hosted on an online facility too, so thats not so bad. However, holidays from the last 5 or so years are gone, along with a whole load of other stuff too.

Remaining options as I see it.

1. Say fuck it and move on.

2. Send it to a specialist company, but I already have an idea of the sorts of numbers they'll be talking about (thousands I don't doubt for a drive of that size, unless anyone else knows different?)

3. Attempt to rebuild the platters into another drive (I've begun reading about this and it really isn't very straight forward or successful and is certainly a very last resort).

This morning I removed the cover, just for a peek inside, incase it had anything obvious wrong that I could easily sort and without getting really involved, I can see a reasonably hefty scratch in the top platter. Fuck knows how that happened, but it looks to have been the cause.

So, bottom line folks, don't just TALK about backing your shit up. Actually do it. NOW. It WILL happen to you one day, don't go thinking it won't. So be prepared.