teamorange
asked on
Hard Drive acts like its dead
I figured I would throw out there this little problem and see if anyone has suggestions...
Its a 80gb WD800BB hard drive. It was in WD's external device, worked for about a year, no problems at all. Then it stopped working, wasn't being recognized. Tried different computers, different USB cables, nothing...
So then I opened it, and swapped in another drive into WD's enclosure. Worked fine. I tried the actual HD in another external enclosure I have and it doesn't work. It seems like it wants to work when I turn it on, but then nothing. So here is my question...
What are the chances of it working if I find or purchase another WD hard drive, same model number and replace the motherboard component from the new hard drive. This is the board that sits on top of the hard drive with the star srews. Does anyone think that might work? Only reason why I am asking is because if there is a chance then I will actually by the exact hard drive...
And if anyone else has suggestions great. Only reason why I am asking is because there is some really important data on the hard drive...
Thanks
Keith
Its a 80gb WD800BB hard drive. It was in WD's external device, worked for about a year, no problems at all. Then it stopped working, wasn't being recognized. Tried different computers, different USB cables, nothing...
So then I opened it, and swapped in another drive into WD's enclosure. Worked fine. I tried the actual HD in another external enclosure I have and it doesn't work. It seems like it wants to work when I turn it on, but then nothing. So here is my question...
What are the chances of it working if I find or purchase another WD hard drive, same model number and replace the motherboard component from the new hard drive. This is the board that sits on top of the hard drive with the star srews. Does anyone think that might work? Only reason why I am asking is because if there is a chance then I will actually by the exact hard drive...
And if anyone else has suggestions great. Only reason why I am asking is because there is some really important data on the hard drive...
Thanks
Keith
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Have you attempted to set it to slave in the computer instead of the USB enclosure. How important is the data. The switch you are contemplating is very dependant on the evision of the hard drive as firmware matching is imperative. http://insight.zdnet.co.uk/business/management/0,39020490,2127079,00.htm
It is possible to switch the controller card with an identical drive (make sure the firmware is identical) but there is a good chance it is not the electronics but the mechanics of the drive that are defective, and in that case swapping the controller board won't do any good.
Download WD's Data Lifeguard tools and let them diagnose the hard drive for you. To download it go here:
http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?swid=1
If you have critical information on the drive you need to recover you'll have to use a recovery service which could cost hundreds of dollars. WD also lists recovery partners on their site at the same link...
Download WD's Data Lifeguard tools and let them diagnose the hard drive for you. To download it go here:
http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?swid=1
If you have critical information on the drive you need to recover you'll have to use a recovery service which could cost hundreds of dollars. WD also lists recovery partners on their site at the same link...
It has a chance of working. You will need a set or Torx screwdrivers that includes #7 that you can order from Home Depot, and you will need a drive with the exact same model number and PCB revision. There is a chance it will not work at all, if the problem is not in the electronics.
ASKER
Yes I have tried to set it as slave and add it in, still didn't work. The data to me is very important, classified legal documents that if lost would set me back a bit, but because the data is very sensative I would not be able to send it out to a recovery service. I downloaded the tool and will give that shot tonight...
I will post updates tomorrow, I am actually very intrigued in the freezing the drive option, hahaha.
Keith
I will post updates tomorrow, I am actually very intrigued in the freezing the drive option, hahaha.
Keith
Use a professional service to get the data back. http://www.gillware.com/
put it a plastic bag and then in the freezer for a few minutes
then reinstall and try to get data off
has worked sveral times for me
then reinstall and try to get data off
has worked sveral times for me
use the freezer method as John(above me has suggested.) and use a program called getdatabackup from download.com. If you have the money to spend getdataback and stellarphoenix ntfs both are great recovery tools.
ASKER
Well, i tried the freezer method and nothing.
When I attach the hard drive to my external device its really weird. The fan in the enclosure tries to spin. It moves maybe 1/100 of a inch. Just enough that you can tell it moved, there is no noise at all from the hard drive and thats it. I know the enclosure is good because I just put in another hard drive to make sure and that works no problem. The other hard drive makes noise and the fan spins right away...
When I attach the hard drive to my external device its really weird. The fan in the enclosure tries to spin. It moves maybe 1/100 of a inch. Just enough that you can tell it moved, there is no noise at all from the hard drive and thats it. I know the enclosure is good because I just put in another hard drive to make sure and that works no problem. The other hard drive makes noise and the fan spins right away...
Most likely the fan in the External case is slow or bad, and that caused your original hard drive to fail. A different hard drive would work OK (for awhile) until it overheats and crashes...
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
OK, I will try this tomorrow morning. So after leaving it in the freezer for an hour, then do I attach it right away or wait a specific amount of time?
Also I know the enclosure is good, I was using a different enclosure today and then same thing is happening with the fan...
But like you said I will try attaching it directly to the computer.
About the circuit board, I should match it up exactly... Match just about all the number on the drive, obviously except the serial number?
It just seems like the drive is getting no power at all :(
Also I know the enclosure is good, I was using a different enclosure today and then same thing is happening with the fan...
But like you said I will try attaching it directly to the computer.
About the circuit board, I should match it up exactly... Match just about all the number on the drive, obviously except the serial number?
It just seems like the drive is getting no power at all :(
>About the circuit board, I should match it up exactly
The model number should be exactly the same; the serial number doesn't matter.
The model number should be exactly the same; the serial number doesn't matter.
Do not go below minus 10 Celsius with your drive as this may alter its state for good. You don't need to wait before connecting it to the IDE cable if the external drive temperature (after freezing it) is not lower than -5...0 Celsius. The "freezing" solution also works with some defective RAM memory, I've been succcesfully testing it many times.
Try connecting the HDD to IDE cable without using the HDD slot, keep it in your hand and then power up your PC. If you don't sense or hear *any* move inside the drive and if it doesn't warm up at all, the electronic part of your drive is dead, not the mechanical part. In this case only, you can try with some chances other identically electronic interface.
>> I have tried to set it as slave and add it in, still didn't work << did it show in the bios correct ? that is the first thing to check. then it should show up in windows, or at least be accessable from a bootdisk : www.bootdisk com
once accessable, you can run tests onit.
once accessable, you can run tests onit.
and check the jumpering, WD drives often are a bit different :
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_cat_lvl1=123&p_search_text=jumper+settings&p_new_search=1&p_search_type=search_fnl
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_cat_lvl1=123&p_search_text=jumper+settings&p_new_search=1&p_search_type=search_fnl
ASKER
Well the problem is solved. I am thinking the freezing it again fixed the problem. After freezing it for about 30 minutes or so, I think added it to another computer as is. Just removed the cd-rom cables and added it there. And low and behold it worked no problem. I copied all the info over and now I am good to go. Thanks for all the help guys...
Keith
Keith
You're welcome. Glad to help.
ASKER
Keith