Hard Drive Failure, is most likely.
try any of:
Check HDD health with
http://www.hdsentinel.com/dl.php (trial version has restricted features, but you dont need them) standard version runs in windows and will test any HDD via ATA or SATA connection or SATA via USB, or you could download free dos version to make bootable floppy or CD & test HDD in dos as could you go to HDD makers site for makers dos version test. (for dos testing the HDD must be the "master HDD", so you could put it in desktop comp. for testing)
If HDD is making clicking or strange noise, it;s on death row so don't overstress it.
Is the data worth the effort? Even the worst HDD data can be somewhat recovered by pro. service (the disc itself is usually readable if disassembled and repairs made) but it will cost.
There are many data recovery programs out there, but if you must recover data then the less time stessing HDD will give best results. If you choose to try the free software you may be lucky or you may just overstress HDD and reduce you chances. (best, do it once, do it right)
(Compessed zip,rar,(MP3,AVI) files may never be recoverable.)
1/ Use a disc tool such as "Paragon Partition Manager"
http://www.paragon-software.com/business/hdm-server/ this is 30 day free trial (after that it's $599) to set drive as "inactive primary partition". ( this will stop your drive trying to read any corrupted system files giving you better access to your data)
2/ Use "Get Data Back"
http://www.getbackdata.net/recover-data.html choose FAT or NTFS depending on HDD file system (demo will let you see if your data can be recovered but you will have to buy it to do recovery) to recover and copy any readable data to good HDD.
3/ If the HDD is showing imminent failure it's a matter of luck (don't over-stress a dying HDD, let it rest then 4/).
4/ try again( I recovered a rasping and clicking HDD's data 100% after 4 day's of trying again and again.)
5/ Running "HDD Regenerator" first may help if HDD is not failing, but this extra stress may kill a failing HDD.
Here a link to HDD makers Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287#samsungOr
Download free and burn a boot CD on a computer with a CD burner.
Diagnotic tests for your computer.
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/and/or
http://www.ubcd4win.com/Hit "c" (+"Alt") during power on to boot from CD, then run in DOS.
6/ Install and run HDD health on all your computers to warn you before HDD fails
http://www.hdsentinel.com/dl.php (trial version has restricted features, but you dont need them)
Happy Computing
