Assitance with opening Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex TB 1 USB 2.0

[Mai]

Hi,

I bought A Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex TB 1 USB 2.0 less than one year ago and for some reason my PC stopped detecting it when I plug it into the USB port. It worked yesterday but just stopped working today. I tried to plug it into another PC (A MAC) I have windows 7 and it still doesn't pick it up.

The light on the HD is on and there is a very very low toned beep every sec if you listen very closely. I was wondering what can I do to fix it? And how can I remove the cover to see the HD (Inside)? There are no screws, buttons, it doesn't slide off or anything.

Thanks

[Nick_CT]

If it's the low toned 'beep' noise I'm thinking you're describing it most likely the motor trying to spin up but failing, either because the spindle is jammed or the heads are stuck to the platter. Sometimes USB powered drives make beep-type sounds if they aren't receiving enough power to spin up, but that's a different type of noise.

Was your drive dropped or knocked?

[Mai]

Hi Nick_CT,

Thanks for getting back to me.

It is a very low "beep" that I can only hear if I put the HD against my ear.

I have three different USB ports on my laptop so I tried all of them I also have a "y" cable thing (Sorry I'm not a pro...so don't know the name for the cable). So i plugged both ends into the laptop USB port while it was attached to my HD and it still doesn't pick up on my laptop but the light does go on.

As far as I know it wasn't dropped... my sister used it yesterday and she said it wasn't dropped (I choose to believe her) ...but it doesn't make sense why it just stopped working.

Do you have any suggestions for me at all? I have so much stuff on this external..most of which I still have on my laptop just because I wanted to have the info in both places but I have a few video's etc that I took while on vacation that were quite big and I just saved them on my HD. I am still under warranty but I would rather just have my files back if possible.
Thanks

[Nick_CT]

The Y-cable is there to ensure it receives enough power, but I don't think this is your problem judging by the interval of the beep. You could try a different USB cable to eliminate it anyway if you want.

If it is the motor that's jammed then there's nothing you can do yourself unfortunately. If you want to open the enclosure remember you'll lose your warranty.

I'm afraid the only suggestion if you want your data back is to take it to a pro

[Mai]

Hi Nick_CT,

Thanks again for getting back so quickly !

I actually also tried with another cable (the original cable I got with the HD) and that also didn't help.

I will send it to one of the local computer pro's here and see if it can be fixed. I guess I will just have to save my stuff again and cut my losses about the video's etc.... really not happy about that.

Thanks for your input!

[pclab]

You can also try to remove it from the case and plug it directly to a PC to see what it does, if it still makes the same noise.

[Mai]

Hi pclab,

Thank you for getting back to me.

I am not exactly sure how to get off the cover. It seems like Mission impossible! I can't find any way to unscrew it, no buttons NADA. Have you seen the HD I am talking about? If you have any idea how I can uncover it I would appreciate it. I will probably try doing that if the Pro says he can't fix it.

Thanks

[einstein9]

IF YOU ARE looking for a way to OPEN it or "disassemble" the drive

then

GOOGLE & YOUTUBE is ur answer

here is what i got and used to do:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=28&gs_i ... 80&bih=730


As one of the forum member used to joke with me whenever i ask him any series 1 Mil. $ Questions
his Answer was always: FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT

heheh, good luck

[drc]

Alternatively you can pull out the USB interface section and get access to the SATA without taking the unit apart

However based on what you have described it sounds like a mechanical issue