After much mental anguish and anticipation, I decided to go through with a post to update those who care. Firstly, Jeremy had no luck getting anything to happen. His immediate theory is that the drive’s SMART chip turned everything off to protect the platter(s). So much for the free route.
I decided to eat it and called DriveSavers. Much has changed since I worked with them indirectly through Jeremy’s business. Their website had a form to submit a request for a quote; their competitor Total Recall was a bust because the site just sat in a frozen state. DS’s answer popped up in minutes with three different quotes. They were all based upon how quickly I wanted the data back. Econo class was the best shot given the circumstances: $700-$2700 but only if they’re able to get anything off it. I called to say, “go for it.” Now before you think I’m a Rockefeller or Vanderbilt (people with real money not moonbeams like Zuckerberg), I was able to go forward with the decision thanks to putting away a chunk of my inheritance for a rainy day. The news was somewhat better when I called my customer service representative. Everything is on DS’s dime until they tell me the results: the shipping and assessment. I had to provide a box and a replacement drive though. Better yet, as an Apple employee I receive 30 percent off on the final price. Hmm, $490 to $1890 feels less painful!
I rallied Thursday night to get the drive back from Jeremy. Then came the Container Store for a box meeting their directions along with packing material. Wrapping up the trilogy of errands was Fry’s to get the replacement hard drive. OK, I hit Taco Bell next to drown my misery in a number 10 meal while watching The Mysterious Cities of Gold on Netflix. My hopes went out Friday and as of now it’s in transit to California.
What are the odds? I think this recovery will be a walk in the park for them. These are the guys who are famous for saving data from portables found at the bottom of the Amazon. I remember they used to hand out a thank from The Simpsons‘ writers for rescuing half a season trapped on a computer Homer spilled beer on. Again, the key is rescuing the var directory. I’m hoping they get everything and I can reboot from where I left off. Jeremy states this rarely happens, allegedly the mach_kernel tends to kiss it. Either way I have to let them try, otherwise Picayune may have to take a radical departure.
Meanwhile…enjoy the current situation being represented by Bender’s “death” before he realizes he trapped in the wireless cloud.