Has anyone else had their IBM Deskstar just... die? Mine started making this rhythmic clicking sound last week and now it won't even boot. I've lost years of data. No backup because I'm an idiot.

The internet is calling them 'Deathstars' and apparently the failure rate is astronomical. Any chance of data recovery?

RIP to another Deathstar. Mine died 4 months ago. Same clicking sound. Data recovery places quoted me $800+. I just ate the loss.

This is a known issue — IBM has a warranty replacement program but good luck actually getting it done quickly. Took me 6 weeks.

Always. Back. Up. I know it doesn't help now but please everyone reading this, buy a CD-RW and back up your important stuff. Hard drives fail.

I switched to Western Digital after my Deathstar died. The Caviar series is bulletproof. Never looking back.