Damaged 1TB WD External

[Quantum Theory]

There is probably countless threads like this, but I'll start another one...

I was busy doing a file transfer from my laptop to a 1TB external. Moved my laptop and the external fell about 30cm to the floor. The transfer stalled, so I disconnected the USB cable. When I connect the USB now, it picks up the USB device. However the directory doesn't pop up in explorer, so I cannot access any data on the disk.

What can I do to access my data?? Is there anything I can try, or do I need to get someone to do data recovery?

 

[bradlesliect]

There is probably countless threads like this, but I'll start another one...

I was busy doing a file transfer from my laptop to a 1TB external. Moved my laptop and the external fell about 30cm to the floor. The transfer stalled, so I disconnected the USB cable. When I connect the USB now, it picks up the USB device. However the directory doesn't pop up in explorer, so I cannot access any data on the disk.

What can I do to access my data?? Is there anything I can try, or do I need to get someone to do data recovery?

- Does the drive appear or is it intermittent?
- Does it power up and then down again constantly?
- Can you access any other data on the drive?
- What happens when you run a scan on the drive?
- By directory do you mean the drive itself or the directory copied?

Perhaps use data recovery software. Something like Easy Recovery. Has all returned a 100% success rate for me.

 

[ponder]

Moved my laptop and the external fell about 30cm to the floor.

What can I do to access my data?? Is there anything I can try, or do I need to get someone to do data recovery?

I'm willing to bet top dolla that the drive is fooked! They don't handle that abuse well and you more than likely suffered physical damage. That jolt is enough for the heads to contact the platters and the results are not pretty.

My suggestion is to get hold of South_Bit, http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/member.php/110079-South_Bit or http://www.southbit.co.za/

Oh, and stop trying to use the drive as you can make it worse.

 

[Quantum Theory]

- Does the drive appear or is it intermittent?
- Does it power up and then down again constantly?
- Can you access any other data on the drive?
- What happens when you run a scan on the drive?
- By directory do you mean the drive itself or the directory copied?

Perhaps use data recovery software. Something like Easy Recovery. Has all returned a 100% success rate for me.

I mean when I go to Devices and Printers, the device is being seen. If I however go to My Computer to access the data on the drive, it is not visible there. I can't access any the 900 GB of data on the disk.

 

[SouthBit]

What sort of noises are you getting form the drive? Put your ear to it when you power it up, do you hear:

- Normal spin up and nothing irregular
- Faint 'beeping' noises repeated every second or so
- Spin up and faint clicking/ticking

A few things could have happened. You most likely have damaged one or more of the heads, as well as some part/parts of the platters. Is this a 2.5" or 3.5" ? If 2.5" then it is unfortunately not a pretty picture.

The reason you are seeing the USB device is because it is seeing the USB controller attached to the drive. It does not indicate anything about the actual drive itself.

 

[Quantum Theory]

I'm willing to bet top dolla that the drive is fooked! They don't handle that abuse well and you more than likely suffered physical damage.

My suggestion is to get hold of South_Bit, http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/member.php/110079-South_Bit or http://www.southbit.co.za/

Oh, and stop trying to use the drive as you can make it worse.

That what I'm thinking. @#$%! I did stop trying after about 5 attempts...

Saw you guys recommend South_Bit in another thread. Leaving on a trip in the morning. Will get in touch with him next week.

 

[Quantum Theory]

What sort of noises are you getting form the drive? Put your ear to it when you power it up, do you hear:

- Normal spin up and nothing irregular
- Faint 'beeping' noises repeated every second or so
- Spin up and faint clicking/ticking

A few things could have happened. You most likely have damaged one or more of the heads, as well as some part/parts of the platters. Is this a 2.5" or 3.5" ? If 2.5" then it is unfortunately not a pretty picture.

The reason you are seeing the USB device is because it is seeing the USB controller attached to the drive. It does not indicate anything about the actual drive itself.

Thanks for the reply. Looks like I will need to use your services. Hope I can salvage some of it. Will get in touch next week.

 

[Quantum Theory]

- Spin up and faint clicking/ticking

This. Starts spinning. Few faint clicks (5 or 6). Then just keeps spinning quietly.

 

[TheMightyP]

I just lost one of these. I didn't drop mine, and this is not the first WD drive I've had trouble with (probably the 3rd or 4th). I won't be buying WD again. I replaced the drive in the enclosure with a Seagate drive. The enclosure is great!

 

[SouthBit]

This. Starts spinning. Few faint clicks (5 or 6). Then just keeps spinning quietly.

The fact that it keeps spinning and does not spin down does gives some hope. If it were to spin down then it's even worse news.
Book it in when you have time and we'll give you an assessment.