Data recovery from notebook’s hard disk with USB hard disk

When you cannot boot normally into Windows, try:

1. press F8 continuously during boot up (when you see the progress bar)
2. then, select 1 of the options

According to Windows Help:

Safe Mode option - you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services, and no network connections).

Safe Mode with Networking option - loads all of the above files and drivers and the essential services and drivers to start networking

Safe Mode with Command Prompt option - exactly the same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the graphical user interface. For DOS / MS-DOS pro only.

Last Known Good Configuration option - starts your computer using the registry information that was saved at the last shutdown. Very much like Inoue’s (of Bleach) talent Santen Kesshun in reversing the (sad and bad) state of a person to heal. Unfortunately, if your saved registry during the last shutdown is corrupted/missing, this wouldn’t work.

Safe mode helps you to diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can detect the possible causes via elimination process. If a newly added device or a changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the device or reverse the change.

Unfortunately, this does not guarantee as it could still failed either by freezing (hang, deadman) or auto restart when loading in Safe Mode. Contrarily to most beliefs, blue screen during loading doesn’t always mean there’s memory (software) problem. For all you know, it could be the hard disk (hardware) itself.

You can check the error messages in blue screen (or otherwise) for Windows at Search the Knowledge Base. If it’s other OS (Operating System), just go to your OS’s official website to search the “error code”. I searched in Google (yeah, not intended to give free advertisement) to get tweaks from techies as well as official websites.

If you have or not sure if you have warranty, please check with your dealer (where you bought the unit from). Software problems are generally not supported by hardware - if you have Microsoft XP loading error, Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony would not support you without charging $. Even if they charge you, there’ll be delay because these companies need to generate a quotation to you and then your signature for approval. I’m not sure if they require payment first if it’s online assistance. You may need to send the notebook in or pay extra to get their technicians to fix software problems. This may take a few minutes to days. Most companies take back your faulty hdd even if you have to pay for a new hdd. Check this before you agree anything. Although it’s ethical for companies to ask first before they do anything, sometimes there can be miscommunication.

I had customers who exclaimed, “I want to get back my data! And my hard disk. I don’t care what you do, just give me back my data. If cannot, then give me back the hard disk.”

Data recovery (considered software support) is usually not supported by manufacturer of the hdd.

Another thing is, all data is lost if the hdd is reformatted (when the hdd can still be used - the problem was with software, not hardware). Reinstalling the OS only would not erase other softwares but OS reinstallation is under software and usually chargeable to the customer. Unless the customer has software + hardware support. Of course customer him/herself could contact the OS company and ask for troubleshooting again but that’s out the manufacturer’s support.

If you are sure that the warranty is out and you really want to recover data from the hard disk by yourself, read on. Again, if the warranty is still valid, DO NOT attempt this!

Make sure you have plenty of space to place the hard disk from notebook which you’ll take out later. Have a tray/area to keep the screws in order. No water nearby! You’ll need:

1. Screwdrivers in different sizes - depending on your notebook and USB hard disk.
2. a USB hard disk (for the casing)
3. a USB cable

Steps to Data recovery from notebook’s hard disk with USB hard disk

1 Make sure all power sources are off. Switch off power supply and take out the battery.

2 Take out the screws and then take out hard disk (hdd) from USB hard disk (also known as portable hard disk). You need the circuit board (the green thing with maps). The metallic casing (aka enclosure) is not essential but it’ll protect your hdd later..

Screwdriver, screws, USB casing (metallic), hdd attached to circuit board:

3 Take out the hdd from the dead notebook (nb). Usually it’s located at the side and it’s much thinner than PC’s hdd.

Most manufacturers have images and guide on where the hard disk is located in their websites. Search for the guide if you are not sure.

CMS Products - how to remove the internal hard drive from various notebook computers

How a nb hdd looks like:

You need the gold pins (IDE) unobstructed to slot them into the USB board:

You DON’T have to open till it shows the spinning disk:

4 If the IDE gold-silver pins are protected by a cover, try using flat screwdriver to create a bit space. Pull the hdd out by hand slowly to avoid hitting the other end.

5 Slot your nb’s hdd into the USB’s board - make sure the gold pins meet the holes correctly. Now you have nb’s hdd on USB’s board.

Clearer pictures in All Cam - How to assemble a USB portable hard drive?

6 Slot the USB board into the USB casing if you want to. This is just to protect your hdd from external environment.

7 Connect USB cable onto USB and PC or another nb’s USB port on each end.

8 Your computer (PC or another nb) would detect additional hardware (icon on taskbar). You can also view it in My Computer - there’s additional icon for USB.

If however, the notebook gives a message that the power is not enough and you need to disconnect the USB to the notebook - follow the advice immediately to avoid damage!

When I tried to connect the USB hdd (now with the dead nb’s hdd) to another nb, I got that message. So I had to connect it to desktop PC instead.

9 Open it as how you would open your files and folders, start transferring your data from the USB into PC/nb. I would create another folder just for this backup to avoid confusion later.

DO NOT COPY OS and Program Files folder! If you do, it could create confusion or error in your PC/nb.

Just grab the important stuff, chat history, installation files for other applications/games (in *.exe) and Favorites/bookmarks.

10 After backup, click on the additional hardware icon to remove it safely from the PC/nb. Select the item and click STOP.

Your original hdd from the notebook? You can send it to check or repair/replacement. You can reformat it while it’s still connected via USB and reuse, donate it to charity or recycle. Check the manufacturer’s website for environmental programs. Most charity organizations collect hardwares to recycle - look for 1 nearby your area to save petrol. You can also sell it off at online auction (lelong, ebay, tumpang) and forums with warning of the problems you had encounter.

All the pictures are taken from their own sites, just click on the image to go to the original webpage which would contain more info.

More links:

• Apex Technology - Common hard drive error in notebook
• Tech Republic - Extracting data from a dead laptop with a laptop hard drive adapter
• About / PC World - How to Troubleshoot the Worst PC Disasters

Reason #1 interviewers ask for your salary

Most of the interviewers that I had been to asked me about past salaries and expected salary. Now, Why should I reveal my past salaries? The only interviewer that didn’t ask me these 2 questions was the Sales Manager for a top IT company which I blogged about because it was the most Interrupted, interview I ever had.

P&C 

In another interview with a fashion company, the interviewers asked, “You didn’t put your past salaries?”

“It’s P&C between my company and I.”

“P&C?”

“Yes.”

“Why is it P&C?”

“It’s included in my agreement with my previous companies. I’m sure your agreement has the same thing. Confidentiality.”

They shook their head. 1 of them asked, “But can you tell us?”

“We want to estimate.”

[pause] “It’s really P&C. Estimate what? How much to give me? Isn’t this job based on work performance quality? Not what I was paid in another job under another position?”

“We estimate - we don’t estimate based on your previous position - but - we have to know how much you were getting so that we can estimate how much to give you.”

That was really contradictory.

“Let’s say an employee from LV applies for this job and they earn 2K plus. Are you going to give over 2K for the same position just because his past salary was high?” I asked them.

By the way, the interviewer had informed me that this job was in the range of RM1500 - RM1800 only. For a “very important, detailed job. Your job has very high responsibility of [job desc].” Whoa. Such high responsibilities, such low salary :D

“No.”

“Then?”

“OK, can you give me your salary expectation then?”

“I had informed #1Interviewer (which was there too) about my range - from $$$$ to $$$$.”

“Yes,” #1Interviewer confirmed it with a nod.

Salary range disclosure is always better than revealing your past salaries. You’d be lucky if the person who interviewed you or decide your salary actually calculated inflation into the decision making. RM800 may seem very little now but it was ok 10 years ago for a SPM graduate. RM10 000 may look a lot but if you are a CEO to a successful company, that’s not much.

In the real world 

The thing is to you don’t want to give a range that’s lower than the company’s budget. If the company is honest and ethical, it would offer a salary based on the position, not your (lower) expectation. However, the company could discard you if you expected higher than the budget. In the end, ask yourself do you want to settle for lower salary (or maybe other perks) if you are select.

Just becareful and do your research - what is the salary range for the position and company that you are applying for. You can find more about salary report from:

• Job Street
• Kelly Services 2006
• Salary.com (US)
• Salary Expert (US, Canada, UK, and Europe)

Joseph Murphy - The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Revised Edition

The version that I read was revised by Ian McMahan, year 2000. There’s another 2007 publication (link @ bottom of this post).

It’s plain blue cover with yellow and white fonts do not impress me. Looks like those get rich scheme and cannot be trusted authors promoting their books online.

But once I read the first few chapters, I was hooked. Instead of finishing it ASAP, I took my time reading and writing my own notes.

The book has some quotes from the Bible. If you are like me, a non-Christian, you can skip those parts or read it to understand more about Christianity/the philosophy behind it.

It’s not totally on religion but also science - The Laws of Attraction concept (though I think the words “laws of attraction” wasn’t used widely in the book) and Positive Visualization.

There are 20 chapters on how your mind and body works, mental healings in ancient & modern times and best of all - techniques on how to get what you want - health, wealth, success, relationship, happiness, remove fear and negative blocks. For the ageing baby boomers, the last chapter is on how to remain young in spirit.

Once you’ve read a few chapters on how to pray and visualize, you can guess how to deal with other areas in the book.

1 of the things that he touched was faith healing - blind or not, as long as the person believes it (the good luck charm, chanting of prayers, specific ways of doing things), it will come true. (page 67-70)

Healing does not need physical touch although we may think it’s faster to heal with the healer (doctor, surgeon, maybe you) prodding and cutting up the ‘faulty’ body part. Joseph teaches how to heal from afar - as long as the person is open to healing and want to be healed.

As much as it surprises you, some people do not want to be healed for their own reasons. Some manipulate it to get attention they would never get if they were healthy. That’s why some people threaten to commit suicide when their partner do not agree to get back together. Others think they are not worth to heal for they have sinned. Gosh, I sound so Christiansy!

The timing we should do this positive thinking/praying/visualization is before we sleep and after we wake up when our mind is still blur (I think that’s when you can barely open your eyes and keep yawning) because that’s when our subconscious mind dominate. The other is whenever you think negative - you counter it with positive affirmation.

Chapter 6 Practical Techniques in Mental Healings contains guide on “true” prayer, visualization, mental-movie (you can say it’s the same as visualization!), The Baudoin Technique (interesting!), sleeping technique (same as Baudoin!) and “Thank You”. Here, I think there’s repetition but named with different words.

Each chapters end with a list of summary.

“Change your thoughts, and you change your destiny.”

- Summary 10 in Chapter 1 The Treasure House Within You.

All these about improving your life.. when you really want to improve yourself, you would find this book (or any book for that matter) beneficial. It’s really depending on you. The book and ideas are just tools for you to achieve what you want in life.

Just thinking and no action would not do either. You have to believe and do what is right to get it. Say, if you just pray everynight to strike lottery but you don’t buy the lottery ticket, how are you going to win? Let’s hope someone gives you the winning lottery ticket then?

“You were born to be rich. You grow rich by the use of your God-given faculties, by tuning in with the Infinite, and as your mind becomes productive and full of good ideas, your labor will become more productive and will bring you all kinds of material riches.”

“There is no virtue whatsoever in poverty, which in actual fact is a mental disease, and it should be abolished from the face of the earth. You are here to find your true place in life, and to give of your talents to the world. You are here to expand and unfold in a wonderful way, according to a God-given potential, and to bring forth spiritual, mental, and material riches, which will bless humanity in countless ways. Learn how to surround yourself always with beauty, and luxury, and realize your inalienable right to live, liberty, freedom and peace of mind.”

Joseph Murphy (1898-1981)

- Corner Stone - Joseph Murphy

He had passed away already!

Excerpts from The Power of Your Subconscious Mind (The original unabridged version) by Joseph Murphy

Not everyone is born with optimism. Lucky you if you are such person :D

Everytime I read Virgo horoscope, it only confirms pessimsitic thinking. Ugh! I had enough! Being miserable and always wallowing in the gray are so not healthy. I choose happiness, health, abundance, success and peace!

Several times, while doing the exercises, I got too excited and happy over my visualization and I couldn’t sleep till 5am! Still, it’s not easy to change thinking in just a snap. But it can be done! :D This book has steered me faster towards more positive thinking and I’m going to reread it next time.

Click here for Joseph Murphy - The Power of Your Subconscious Mind @ Amazon.com

Now I must practice thinking “I accept it in my mind” whenever I see something that I want is out of my reach.

How to get abundance

Sam always ask, “What are the things that you want in life?”

“Mmm.. I want happiness, health, wealth.. success.”

Secretly, I wanted beauty too. Now I want peace and freedom too.

“So.. which one do you want - love or career?” she asked several times before.

“I want both! If possible.”

“Cannot. You can only have one.”

“Why must I choose only one and why can’t I have both?”

“You cannot be so greedy.”

This is not greedy. We can have all that we want *arms stretch wide* if we really want them and if we are honest in our lives. Life’s not about limitation. It’s a thinking condition.

Consider these statements:

1. My parents had me before they were married and they are now divorced.
2. A lot of married couples I know are having marriage troubles and always argue.

Therefore,

1. I would divorce too if I get pregnant before marriage.
2. If I get pregnant after marriage, I would not end up in divorce.
3. Other people would get divorced if they get pregnant before marriage.
4. If I were married, I would have marriage troubles & argue.
5. All singles and unmarried couples do not have much argument.
6. All singles and unmarried couples are happy.

How true are they?

It’s how you think. You own mind set condition these “truths”. Just because you had such experiences, it doesn’t mean that you would experience the same result if you try to do the same thing again. A lot of successful, brilliant scientists go through trial and error. Some of them designed new technologies because they tested every possibilities to rule out the workable situation. Countless entrepreneurs rise up after falling down from failed ideas.

Just because others had experienced it, it doesn’t mean that you would too. So push the negative thinking away and think positive before you find out, make your decision and stand!

You know I’m looking for job - a daytime permanent one - now. I have online business selling handmade and imported jewelleries as well as fragrances - they are gaining momentum. Yet, when I got offers, I turned them down believing that I was worth more than offered. That action could be viewed as stupid or discriminating.

Everytime I searched for jobs, I thought, “There wouldn’t be any job for me.”

Bad thinking. What good did it do to me?

So I read more blogs, websites, books on self-improvement, finances, career, new age, etc. Some of the books are so so *shrug*, some offer new insight and way of thinking.

All my life, from young till recently, I was quite pessimistic. I liked to think it was a Virgo trait and felt proud to be certified as a pessimist Virgo. It’s like a smoker puffing chest out because of smoking. It didn’t help that I had an even more timid mother and a father who scold more than encourage me.

When friends have problems or doubts, I would encourage them to be braver, try it, try it! Yet, sometimes when my friends suggested radical ideas, I would ask questions that may seem potong steam because I was an intellectual who thought from all angles before doing something. I think I react the opposite way mmm…

But I’m an adult now. I could blame them for not giving me enough opportunities to sharpen my talents or further my studies but I stress this - I’m an adult now. I take responsibilities for my actions now. So I didn’t get to take piano and art lessons even though I could play by ear and write the notes, colour with shadow and light when I was in primary school. I could take piano lessons or buy a (kiddie) piano to play at home. I could draw and paint during my free time. Heh, I am trying scrapbooking now.

When I was really stressed out from work, I used to think, “How good it would be if I fall sick? Then I can claim MC and stay at home. Others would know how useful I am at work when I’m not around and they have to do my work. Hmph!”

Little did I know, I was probably poisoning myself than the bad colleagues (and rude, demanding customers), chemicals released from computers and badly circulated air in office!

Stop being the victim. I realized that if I weren’t satisfied with something, speaking out was the best closure. It may not be the best solution but at least the air is clearer after that. Sometimes we deliberately hold a grudge because we like to think we are right, the other person is wrong. We like to hold on to gossip without finding out the truth because we are too lazy and scared! We like to blame others for our misfortunes, we have nothing to do with our problems.

Whether we like it or not, the way we handle things coming our way - they are our issues. Someone maybe ordering you to get coffee for him/her but you don’t like it. Yet you still get the coffee for him/her. Sure, you may grumble a bit loudly or smile weakly. In the end, you still do it. You are confirming that it is OK for him/her to order you about. It’s like training dog. When Sparky barks loudly as you eat, if you give a bit of your food to Sparky just to shut him up, Sparky would bark again the next time you eat or not because Sparky thinks that barking would get reward.

I thought I would work my hardest when I hit rock bottom - before I hit rock bottom of course. Then I really hit rock bottom. No worries, as pessimistic as I was, I didn’t think of suicide. :D

So I had to find alternate ways to find abundance.

A lot of books offer thinking positive, visualizing the outcome and you’ll get the benefits. Hypnotize yourself before you sleep and after you wake up when you are relaxed. Your thoughts, prayers and dreams are absorbed into the subconscious.

If you have a problem, try asking this before you sleep, “Please show me the signs to help me with this (problem).”

Note any dreams or ideas that come out of nowhere.

When I was feeling restless, I so wanted to run 10 blocks and the blood in my legs were itching, I said to myself silently, “What should I do to help me with this?”

I dreamt I took pictures of my artwork - some droolings in blue.

At that time I didn’t own any digital camera but I started to sketch again. It was at the back of my mind - I knew and I wanted to restart my hobby in art yet I procastinated, thinking “Later lah. When I’m successful, rich and have lots of free time.”

Now, you may counter, “Think positive. You’ll be successful, rich and have lots of free time soon.”

Yes. But we also must take actions to make the “successful, rich and have lots of free time” come true. If you wished you would become a millionaire by striking lottery, you also must buy a lottery ticket in the first place!

I believe what we give out, we would get it back. It may not come in the same form or from the same person. It may in the next few minutes or a few years later. But there’s a circle. 1 day you maybe scorning the cleaner for being slow and dirty while 10 years down the road, you are opening the door to the cleaner who is now a hotel owner. You maybe thinking how hard it is to part with RM1 just to buy a small packet of tissue from the blind. 2 weeks later, you get the news that your father’s eye operation was a success.

If you have things that you do not need or use, it’s better to give them out - sell, donate, give as present or recycle them. Then you’ll have more space to bring in stuff that you need at the moment.

For years, I kept Vogue, Cosmopolitan and other fashion magazines - some dated back to 1980’s and 1990’s. I also had lots of NKOTB, ‘N Sync, Independence Day, Winona Ryder and other celebrities posters! I didn’t want to throw them away, I told my parents every year during Spring clean before CNY. “I want to open a bookshop next time! Then I can sell my old magazines!” I even had to buy a cupboard and several plastic boxes from Giant to store the magazines.

The bookshop would have all types of books and magazines of my interests. All my readers and customers from young to mature, rich and poor, abled and challenged would be wowed and they would bask in glow whenever they discover my merchandize!

I finally changed my mind. It just hit me. I have no idea when I would open a bookshop - it takes LOTS of $$$, time and resources to start a business. The books and magazines were gathering dust and occupying a lot of space.

So I checked my cupboard one fine day and took out story books and magazines. Besides, there’s bound to be someone who would enjoy reading them as much as I did. I cleaned up 1/3 for donation and a week later, SomeKindOfGrass called me, “Hey, I have some magazines don’t want. You want to read?”

“Sure! Do you want it after I read it?”

“Don’t want lar. You do whatever with it la.”

:D Those magazines were only a few months old.

When you think and view things positively, you’ll notice people’s actions towards you also change. Maybe it was because previously you were so occuppied with finding faults of others that you didn’t notice their virtues. Maybe both of you are being the best you can be.

Still, if a person abuses, uses, takes advantage of you - take NO for an answer. You must protect yourself, grow yourself into a healthy person. In mind, body and spirit.

You have all the abundance in the world. You just need to know how to access it and use it wisely. Who says you have to choose? Say you are shopping and you fall in love with a gadget. You test it and you really want it. Yet your mind think, “The money is better spent on monthly household expenses or charity.”

If you have more than enough (after expenses, a lot of savings and money coming in), you can have it! You can divide your $ for essentials and once in awhile, indulgences. You don’t have to be a millionaire to do this! It’s a matter of how much you save, what you spend on.

Try it. Believe wholeheartedly that you’ll get what you want sincerely. Pray for it when you are going to sleep and after you wake up. Tell yourself positive things specifically like “I am beautiful, successful (like Betty)” “I treat everyone with respect and love.”

Be grateful for what you already have and would be given.

You may get more than you ask for. Good or bad.

When job agencies charge job seekers

Position: General interview
Company: Recruit Express
Field: IT, Customer Support
Industry: IT
Location: Menara Standard Chartered

I’m posting this not because I want to lash at this job agency but to let whoever stumbles into this post know more about career searching and applying jobs via job agencies. Frankly, IMHO, employees shouldn’t charge job seekers when they are getting $ from employers.

Pre-interview 

Whoa, website uses XML! Back when I was studying for Degree, XML was among the latest language. It was 1 of the most useful language and would change the world! Still, a lot of websites now continue to stick to HTML. Wait. Copyright 2004/5?

I applied the job from another online job portal where this job agency advertised and was called by a staff from this job agency to come for interview.

“Do you have marketing experience?” she asked briskly.

“Err.. not for long,” I replied. I know, “err” should be bared from any professional sentence.

“Anyway- I want you to come for interview. Tomorrow, can?” It sounded more of an order than a question.

I gave myself 2 hrs for travelling. Who knows how sometimes public transport delays Better early than late. :) Glad I took the time to reach there because I thought there would be a bus stop very nearby the building. Nope. The bus didn’t stop until the rounded corner towards Star Hill and it was too dusty, narrow to walk back to Menara Stan Chart. So I followed the bus till it rounded near the building again.

I was 1/2 hr early.

Interview

Some buildings - especially those developed by or tenants catered mainly for Chinese, there would be no #4. *gasp*

Do Malays love #4 because they sit like #4 (1 leg twist over to the other leg at the knee) and can goyang kaki, become boss and supported by the government?

- a (racist?) joke I heard because a lot of Chinese and Indians also sit like this, especially at home and mamak stall

As I filled up the form, I noticed all the staffs were females. Except 1 guy with tag walking out of the building. High pitch banter. Lively.

Once we sat down, she told me, “This job actually require 2 years marketing.”

I didn’t work under marketing department yet I had touched marketing via liaising with marketing department, ideas, promotions, advertisements, psychology.

“So tell me about yourself,” she continued.

I started with after graduation and was cut off.

“You don’t have - marketing experience - but I still ask you come interview - This is for a fashion company but you don’t have- how many years you work - for fashion?”

The resume was right in front of her. She didn’t read it, she just looked at it without comprehending (or calculating) the duration.

I slided my index finger over the row of that job. I told her the duration.

“It’s only 1 year,” she said.

I held my index finger out, “I haven’t finished. I was going over to the fashion part after that.” I charged with the experiences and training I got from working 1 year in fashion. Really. It’s not about the duration. It’s about quality, compact experiences and knowledge gained.

A person can have 20 years in experience for a position or department but if all he/she does are dilly dallying, watering plants, playing golf, collecting plastic bags, without contributing but gets huge paycheck - what’s the point?

“I want to know why you quit your job.”

I thought she didn’t want to know the job specs and achievements?

I started off with the most recent one.

“Wo- Do you quit if I hire you? Say the same thing again?”

“Of course not.” I am not stupid.

“I am looking for a job that benefits myself and the company. For now, and before that,” I pointed to the previous previous job, “I was already interested in the fashion line.” This is the truth.

“Do you know how to speak Mandarin?” She then broke off in thick Mainland China Mandarin accent.

I replied her in Mandarin too. “Bu ke yi.” I already listed the language I speak and write in the application form. I supposed headhunters are supposed to double-check the info.

“You know your weakness? You don’t know Mandarin. And. This job - need Mandarin. “

“You should include the job language requirement in the advertisement.”

“I did.”

I shook my head firmly. “No.”

“Got. You be surprise. This job is very urgent. And this week, I interview all cannot speak Mandarin and don’t have experience in fashion or marketing. A lot of Malay apply.”

A person doesn’t know Mandarin just because he/she is a Malay? There are a lot of different races learning multiple languages.

“No, you can double check your ad. If not, I wouldn’t apply this position.”

“You read about the declaration part?” She pointed to the form that I had filled up.

“Yes..”

She underlined the Declaration in the application form. She explained, “Good, then - we charge RM50 for intro fee. And cut 80% off (I didn’t hear this part already because I moved the application form closer to read)- “

“I didn’t read this part, let me read again.”

The deal:

Successful job seeker must pay RM50 to Recruit Express for Letter of Appointment.

If a job seeker who has signed Letter of Appointment and do not turn up to work on time or leave within 90 days, salary would be cut 80%.

I asked her, “Why do you need job seeker to pay your company?”

“It’s liddat.” Meaning the job agency charges you for their effort in finding work for you.

“I thought you charge the employers?”

“We charge them at different rate,” she waved her hand dismissedly.

That means this company charges the employer and employee!

“And the 80% cut…”

“It’s reasonable what. You start a job also, you must come to work. Do you agree?”

“No (it’s not reasonable). I think you can cancel my application. Thanks.”

“Ok.”

“Thanks again for informing me (about the Declaration).”

I emailed JobStreet about this incident - Recruit Express has this clause where upon signing offer letter by the employee, the employee has to pay Recruit Express but I received no reply from JobStreet. I guess JobStreet is into making money than integrity.
JobStreet - Recruit Express profile

Now I’m losing my trust on JobStreet because I still see a lot of such jobs at JobStreet.