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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Fidning a new location and a little secret (Viewed 4996 times)
FreeLee 


Gender: Male
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Fidning a new location and a little secret
< on 5/27/2020 8:38 PM >
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This is not a spectacular find by any means but I thought I would share the process anyways. I see people seeking new adventures, this was mine today.


I was off from work today and had some chores to do, afterwards I wanted to do something fun so i put myself in UER mode. One of my favorite ways to find new places it to just drive parts of the city I live in (Raleigh NC USA). Keep you eyes open for buildings or roads that look, interesting. No cars in parking lot, overgrown access roads, chained off areas, that kind of stuff.

I was on a highway when I noticed this road. I got this image from google maps after the fact. It did not look well maintained and the parked trailers was curious.

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I took the next exit and checked out google maps satellite overlay. I checked out the length of the road and looked for anything that stood out.

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Those buildings look very interesting.....

Phone almost dead and I wanted to check out google earth view, I can get historical satellite telemetry. This is what I found,



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Access to this road seemed simple, there was a sign saying the road was under video surveillance but I could not see any cameras. Again this pic is from google maps,


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I parked at the end of the road, walked a few hundred feet and was greeted by this



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This would usually be the end of the story but its not. This is where I break one of our rules so turn away if you are squeamish.


This place was clearly burned down at some point over the the last 10 years or so


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While I was kicking around in the detritus I noticed something angular under the vines


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And here is where I could not help myself. I left the laptop in place but I took something from it, can you guess what?
















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Yes it been through a fire, but drives are hardy and although the laptop was a crisp, the drive was not.



This site had not finished with me yet. With the rain starting it was time to clear out. As I went back to my car I noticed something else close to where I parked but hidden by trees and vines.

I love tunnels and such,

This will be another day...


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Dee Ashley 


Location: DFW, Texas
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Write something and wait expectantly.

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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 1 on 5/27/2020 9:47 PM >
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I love what you did here.

The step-by-step (with pictures!) is something I find useful and engaging - especially for people that haven’t been doing this very long.

I must admit, your narrative definitely piqued my curiosity. There appeared to be several more buildings in those satellite images, did you check out any of the others? I’m also curious if you were able to see what was on that hard drive?

And lastly..., I sure hope that you plan on exploring what’s underneath that hatch and sharing the results with the rest of us!

Awesome post!




I wandered till the stars went dim.
Explorer Zero 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 2 on 5/27/2020 11:16 PM >
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The "shock absorbers" on those doors suggest it might have been something to be used not just closed shut for years like a utility vault.

Looks like hydraulic assist Gotta go in man. Cool stone house too good job on the find.




FreeLee 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 3 on 5/27/2020 11:36 PM >
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Posted by Explorer Zero
The "shock absorbers" on those doors suggest it might have been something to be used not just closed shut for years like a utility vault.

Looks like hydraulic assist Gotta go in man. Cool stone house too good job on the find.


Today i found out what hydraulic assist is. Yea, they where heavy steal doors and they opened like you would your car door. Small initial effort and they just swung up.

That's cool. EDIT: They also made that heavenly sigh, its like a shooooosh but with more base. I opened and closed them twice just to hear it.

As for the drive, I am reluctant to place it in my gaming rig. I know people with laptops. I just need to find someone stuipd kind enough to let me use there computer for a few min.

B



[last edit 5/27/2020 11:45 PM by FreeLee - edited 1 times]

DescentOnARope 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 4 on 5/28/2020 12:18 AM >
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I really don't think it could damage anything if you hook it up to your machine, but if you really don't want to, you can get a SATA -> USB adapter pretty cheap. Just get one that's powered so you don't have to use a cable from your PSU.




FreeLee 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 5 on 5/28/2020 12:26 AM >
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Posted by DescentOnARope
I really don't think it could damage anything if you hook it up to your machine, but if you really don't want to, you can get a SATA -> USB adapter pretty cheap. Just get one that's powered so you don't have to use a cable from your PSU.


Amazon. $7.99 and free shipping. I don't know why i don't already have one of these. Good idea.

B




stealthwraith 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 6 on 5/28/2020 12:49 AM >
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Very fun find! I like the way you e written up and presented this one




Stealth: adj. designed in accordance with technology that makes detection difficult. Wraith: n. A wisp or faint trace of something
DescentOnARope 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 7 on 5/28/2020 1:08 AM >
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Posted by FreeLee


Amazon. $7.99 and free shipping. I don't know why i don't already have one of these. Good idea.

B


At that price be sure to check that it's powered, otherwise you'll have to plug your own power supply into it.




abyssK20 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 8 on 5/28/2020 1:24 PM >
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Very cool to see the story of how you found it, and a great find! +1 on the HDD and the hatch, on the edge of my seat over here!




"ghost" 


Location: Colorado
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I climb. I jump. I explore.

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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 9 on 5/28/2020 7:24 PM >
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Interesting to see that the drive is in decent shape, but it looks like it's pretty dirty. Heat like that shouldn't damage the storage disk, but it could mess up the circuitry inside. For instance, the fire may have melted all the soldered connections on the internal circuit board. Before powering it up, you may want to open up the case and see if anything appears out of order - powering it up may damage the internals beyond repair. This would also give you a chance to clean it up, and remove any debris from the plate before it starts spinning. If you see burn marks on the circuitry inside, have a go with some high percentage isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, which can clean up corrosion and doesn't leave a residue when it evaporates.

I'd be very impressed if that drive still works, but I'm also on the edge of my seat crossing my fingers....




abyssK20 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 10 on 5/28/2020 11:58 PM >
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Posted by "ghost"
Interesting to see that the drive is in decent shape, but it looks like it's pretty dirty. Heat like that shouldn't damage the storage disk, but it could mess up the circuitry inside. For instance, the fire may have melted all the soldered connections on the internal circuit board. Before powering it up, you may want to open up the case and see if anything appears out of order - powering it up may damage the internals beyond repair. This would also give you a chance to clean it up, and remove any debris from the plate before it starts spinning. If you see burn marks on the circuitry inside, have a go with some high percentage isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, which can clean up corrosion and doesn't leave a residue when it evaporates.

I'd be very impressed if that drive still works, but I'm also on the edge of my seat crossing my fingers....


Wouldn't opening also expose the disk platters to dust and potentially cause data corruption? IIRC they are only supposed to be opened in a clean room / container.




DescentOnARope 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 11 on 5/29/2020 12:25 AM >
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Yeah, I wouldn't open the drive itself. I wouldn't count on it working, but by opening it up you'll probably just damage it further.




"ghost" 


Location: Colorado
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I climb. I jump. I explore.

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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 12 on 5/29/2020 12:41 AM >
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Posted by abyssDC5
Wouldn't opening also expose the disk platters to dust and potentially cause data corruption? IIRC they are only supposed to be opened in a clean room / container.

True enough, but imo it's a drive that sat in a burning laptop, so I wouldn't bank too much on that seal being in tact. All it would take is for that hall effect sensor (I think that's what they use for platter sensing? been a while since I've dug through one) on the reader arm to be a little warped from the heat and it might start scratching up the platter. If it were me I think opening it up in a well ventilated room would do just fine, but I've only ever ripped apart dead drives so I can't say for sure ¯\_(ツ)_/¯




FreeLee 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 13 on 5/29/2020 2:10 AM >
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We will found out Monday when the usb/sata cable arrives, getting that was a good idea. It is powered, i made sure and rated for hdd not just ssd.

I am not super optimistic. In a fire plus maybe 8 years in the elements. Funny thing, the white dots that turn red for water exposure, they are not tripped. It took me 10 min of digging through meted plastic with a multi-tool.

Its been a fun experience regardless of the outcome.

It would not surprise me in the least if it works!

Also, a few days in a dry air conditioned environment is a good idea before I plug it in.

Pics



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[last edit 5/29/2020 2:12 AM by FreeLee - edited 1 times]

DescentOnARope 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 14 on 5/29/2020 2:58 AM >
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Hmm... could definitely be in much worse shape considering, but the look of that PCB does not inspire confidence. Maybe try cleaning it with some high-percentage isopropyl alcohol. The platter may still be fine, and it's possible to replace the electronics for data recovery if needed, but I don't really know how to do that. I think some businesses will do it, but that could get expensive and wouldn't guarantee results.

Whatever the outcome, certainly a very interesting find.



[last edit 5/29/2020 2:59 AM by DescentOnARope - edited 1 times]

FreeLee 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 15 on 5/29/2020 7:54 PM >
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Drive spun up but computer could not see it unfortunately. It did not sound all that good (like sand in it).

I am going to take it apart, clean, dust removal and try again. EDIT: i lost my Torx Bit set, frustrating.

I think its dead (sad face)

Still fun!

B



[last edit 5/29/2020 8:20 PM by FreeLee - edited 1 times]

DescentOnARope 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 16 on 5/30/2020 1:14 AM >
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Shame, but not unexpected. Oh well, it was worth a shot. Now you just have to check out that tunnel =p




theradioguy 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 17 on 5/30/2020 7:37 PM >
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Great write up! I love the step-by-step process of how you found this location.

Definitely curious about the drive. Please post an update if you do manage to get anything off it!




neiloffthegrid 


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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 18 on 6/23/2020 6:09 PM >
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Really great post!!! Wicked find!!




MysteriousExpedition  


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"Adventure is out there"- Charles Muntz

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Re: Fidning a new location and a little secret
< Reply # 19 on 6/27/2020 9:11 PM >
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Haven't been on the forums in a while but I absolutely love your guide! Please do more guides if you can! You have a concise way of portraying stuff




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Fidning a new location and a little secret (Viewed 4996 times)
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