IOMEGA usb disk drive failure - spins, clicks, shuts down

[iacragg]

hello all

i had a quick look around this forum before posting and while I learned that this is really bad news... i thought i'd just check whether there was anything i can do myself with this disk or whether it's likely one for the Pros. if the latter, then i'd welcome some recommendations for folks who can help.

this disk has a lot of photos on that are not backed up (yes, i know - it's not my disk tho!) so I'm very keen to get the data back.

It's an iomega external hd (model on back appears to be 31817300) and what happens is this.

plug the disk into my windows 7 machine and the power light comes on and the disk spins. There is then a nasty clicking noise (in bursts of c 10 really closely spaced clicks, a pause, and another 10). the disk tries a few times and then gives up. the disk then stops spinning and lies dead. windows 7 doesn't recognise it.

all thoughts and advice very welcome.

best wishes
Ian C.

[BlackST]

Bad news, indeed. Get pro help as the disk seem to have internal problems.

[Vulcan]

@iacragg:

As BlackST said, this sounds like bad news - here are some questions to see what more you can clarify:

You say this isn't your disk - can you ask the owner what happened or changed, between the last time this disk was used successfully, and the current situation? For example, disk was dropped, chewed by dog, drink was spilled on it, etc.?

External 2.5" disks like that one, usually get their power from the USB port(s) they are plugged into. They can make very odd noises (and fail to be recognised by the PC) when there is insufficient current available from those USB port(s). How many USB ports on your PC, were you plugging this disk's USB cable into? Are there 2 USB "A port" plugs (i.e. suitable for plugging into a PC) on that cable?

Can you confirm that when the disk's owner plugs this disk into their usual PC, where this disk is known to work normally (before this problem started), they also now get exactly the same sounds from the disk as you are describing?

Finally, do you know what actual disk make & model is inside the Iomega enclosure - WD, Hitachi, Seagate etc.?

[iacragg]

hi vulcan, BlackST- many thanks for your replies; much appreciated.

@iacragg:

You say this isn't your disk - can you ask the owner what happened or changed, between the last time this disk was used successfully, and the current situation? For example, disk was dropped, chewed by dog, drink was spilled on it, etc.?

owner reports it "just stopped working"... although i suspect that it might have been subject to some rough treatment!

Are there 2 USB "A port" plugs (i.e. suitable for plugging into a PC) on that cable?

yes there are. i've tried every combination of plugs and ports on this laptop (a hp envy). same on each.

Can you confirm that when the disk's owner plugs this disk into their usual PC, where this disk is known to work normally (before this problem started), they also now get exactly the same sounds from the disk as you are describing?

they reported very similar (ie it powers on but doesn't work). hard to get it back to them to try as they're a long way away. sent it to me to try and sort for 'em but it's defo beyond my skills at the moment.

Finally, do you know what actual disk make & model is inside the Iomega enclosure - WD, Hitachi, Seagate etc.?

opened it up and it's a seagate momentus 5400.6 320gb

Last edited by iacragg on November 19th, 2011, 17:02, edited 1 time in total.

[iacragg]

oh - and i just got what you meant! plug both usb plugs into the laptop. durr me.

done that and no luck. same thing exactly.

[Vulcan]

Hi,

Thanks for that info - shame we don't have a clear "trigger" for the problem, to mention to any future DR company. However, assuming that the symptoms seen by the original owner match those seen using your PC (and also assuming that the drive is not just requiring more current, since you've tried simultaneously using both USB "A" plugs), then don't try doing anything more.

Since there is the possibility of internal mechanical damage, then don't be surprised at the potential for the drive needing (expensive) cleanroom work.

You could contact member "pcimage" in Peterborough, who has a good reputation:

member5866.html

to ask about them doing an evaluation and giving you a quote.

Good luck!

[iacragg]

thanks Vulcan - much appreciated.

i'll do that once i've got the go-ahead from disk-owner. i've already warned him that the price will be measured in hundreds...

best wishes
Ian C.