Western Digital MyBook essential data recovery

[labtech]

Typically no, as long as the bridge and PCB match

[aka-andy]

I have a 2TB WB MyBook Essentials (WDBACW0020HBK) which died a few days ago. It was mid-transfer (or the files had possibly just finished copying) and the power just went dead on the drive. No shocks, etc. On the off-chance it was the power supply I bought a replacement but the drive still doesn't power on at all (no lights, no sounds). I've removed the plastic case but there is nothing in particular that jumps out at me as being obviously burnt/damaged so I'm not even sure if its the drive itself (a WD20EARX) or the usb connector board thing.

None of the data on the drive is fundamentally important to my life but its annoying to lose it so ideally I'd like to recover it. I didn't set any password with the WD software (though the contents were encrypted with PGPWDE). randy2 mentions having ordered a replacement PCB - where would I source one of these?

[pjman]

Hey guys. I have a WD My Book with a broken usb port as well. I tried to solder the cables on there manually however the PC doesn't recognise the device. I have since ordered a replacement board 4060-705059-003​ AA which is identical to the one that is broken. When I use this board the PC now recognises the drive and the WD Smartwave partition shows but not the data. The WD software doesn't find the partition either. I have tried Partition Find and Mount but it also has not found the partition. Is there a was to tell if the data is still encrypted or if the board is doing its job correctly? Any further options form here?

Note - the HDD spins up ok. When I got the drive someone had already opened it up and tried to connect it to a PC so I have no idea what they may have done.

Thanks

pjman

[HaQue]

hi,
I fix USB ports under microscope. I have done a few for users of the forum. If you want to send it to me(the old one) It is probably the easiest way to recover.
cheers

[fzabkar]

I've removed the plastic case but there is nothing in particular that jumps out at me as being obviously burnt/damaged so I'm not even sure if its the drive itself (a WD20EARX) or the usb connector board thing.

Check these components:
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/bi ... diodes.jpg

If they are OK, and if there is no visible damage elsewhere, try to spin up the drive inside your PC. Don't write anything to it, though.

[fzabkar]

Is there a way to tell if the data is still encrypted or if the board is doing its job correctly?

Examine the first few sectors with a disc editor, eg DMDE (freeware).

[pjman]

Looks like the replacement board worked fine but the partition information was stuffed. Used recovery software and got everything back. Thanks for the help.

[hhddrec]

Hi pjman!



If your data is important the best and asy way is restore broken usb port, as HaQue said you.

contact with Haque to suport.

[HaQue]

Looks like the replacement board worked fine but the partition information was stuffed. Used recovery software and got everything back. Thanks for the help.

Good stuff, like to see people get their data back. Thanks for updating with the result