Portable Hard Drive not working

[SK15]

Hi everyone

I have a portable LG 1TB hard drive. A while ago it wasn't being recognized by any devices, and I think this was a problem of the female USB 3 port (of the hard drive) as it worked again if I turned the cable slightly to the side or put mild pressure on the male USB 3 plug.

Lately, however, it's stopped working altogether. When I plug it in into my desktop computer, the computer crashes. When put into a tv, laptop or tablet, it just isn't recognized at all.

I'm hoping that this is just a cable or port fault, and that my data is still safe. What do any of you guys make of this and is it possible to get just the port replaced?

Thanks!

 

[AfricanTech]

Google your drive model to see how to take it apart ( I am presuming out of warranty) then plug the drive in directly. There is a helpful thread for this kind of problem somewhere - on mobile so a pain to look.

 

[bekdik]

Try a different usb cable.

 

[AfricanTech]

Try a different usb cable.

Lol, yeah, that first

 

[mr_norris]

If you can take it apart and it is the port at fault, try find another external casing.

I think it'll be difficult though, if it's one of those ones that get power via USB.

What is the drive model?

 

[AfricanTech]

I have a spare casing if it's the same model. How old is the drive?

 

[SouthBit]

If it's the LG model I'm thinking of, then it's very easy to crack open. Usually a WD drive inside. If it's just a dodgy USB connection then all you need is a new case which can be had for very cheap/free.

 

[SK15]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it's the LG XD7 btw. It is kinda easy to open, I have tried using it without the case and it still doesn't work. That is if you're talking about the plastic case surrounding the actual drive? If it's a USB connection fault on the drive is that easy to get replaced? And where can I get that done if I have to? I'm going to try and see if I can get another cable to see if that's perhaps the problem.

 

[SK15]

So, mini-update: I'll get to try another cable tomorrow, but I randomly tried it in a Samsung TV tonight. The hard drive light was illuminated for a short while, as if the hard drive were being recognized normally, but then it stopped working again, only this time the TV had a message saying "USB Power overload"... Any ideas on this, anyone?

 

[Praeses]

Once out of the case, plug it into the PC via the SATA port and SATA power connector. If it doesn't work then, then the drive is giving problems.

 

[ponder]

So, mini-update: I'll get to try another cable tomorrow, but I randomly tried it in a Samsung TV tonight. The hard drive light was illuminated for a short while, as if the hard drive were being recognized normally, but then it stopped working again, only this time the TV had a message saying "USB Power overload"... Any ideas on this, anyone?

Get a USB cable with two connectors on the one end to plug into the pc and a single connector on the hdd side. USB ports have power limitations that's why you see some usb device having a 2-1 usb cable to deliver more power.

 

[SK15]

So I have another hard drive which I disassembled to use the SATA port with my old drive. Luckily the drive is working perfectly, it's just the LG SATA USB 3 connector that has become faulty. So now to find a new enclosure... @ponder I think that cable could've worked but it's nowhere to be found in my area... Anyways, thanks for all the help guys, it seems my problem is solved!