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Thread: External Hard drive data recovery

  1. #1
    Over 75 Custom PC's in 20 years TheGreatSatan's Avatar
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    Default External Hard drive data recovery

    Someone I know has a Western Digital 320GB MyBook that has recently died. It uses a power plug to power the drive and a USB 2.0 to connect to the PC. I plugged in the cord and the little light on the adapter turned on. I plugged the cord into the MyBook and the front LED's came on. When I plug in the USB cord, the computer doesn't see it. It's not in My Computer, or the device manager. I've tried another USB cord too. I'm going to try to take apart the drive and plug it in internally into a PC case next. Can you think of any other options?
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  2. #2
    Religiously tolerant. Luke122's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    I had something similar happen to me. I agree with removing the drive and plugging it internally, as that eliminates the possibility of the failure being the USB interface.

    Maybe even try to use a known good usb drive interface, then you can hot swap the drive without rebooting the PC.

    As far as good drive recovery software goes, Spinrite has never let me down.

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  3. #3
    Over 75 Custom PC's in 20 years TheGreatSatan's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    Does the HD have to be seen by My Computer for recovery software to work?
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  4. #4
    Fox Furry crenn's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    Depends.... most of the time, no.
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  5. #5
    Measure once, curse twice nevermind1534's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    The computer has to see the hard drive, but it doesn't have to see the partition.

  6. #6
    Religiously tolerant. Luke122's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    Well, if you are running a program that is inside of windows, then yes. The hardware has at least recognize, even if it cant read the contents of the drive.

    Does the drive recognize in the BIOS? If so, spinrite would work, as would some other apps. Does WD offer any tools for that drive?

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  7. #7
    Over 75 Custom PC's in 20 years TheGreatSatan's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    I'll try to get the drive from her to see if I can fix it. WD is useless.
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  8. #8
    iShot the Sheriff jdbnsn's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    As for recovery software goes, file scavenger has always worked well for me. But if total failure exists and the computer cannot see it, I have seen hackaday.com show a kid who took the drive apart and actually swap the physical discs with another drive to recover the data, provided the data is worth that level of risk and effort.
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  9. #9
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    We use those mybooks here at work and though they don't fail often, they have due to our very aggressive use of them. When they have failed, usually opening up the chassis and plugging it in internally, allows it to work ok.
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  10. #10
    Banned Eclecticos's Avatar
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    Default Re: External Hard drive data recovery

    Thats what I would do. . try to hook it up on the inside.
    And check the front panel lead connections.

    The may also be some usb options in the bios.

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