Help to recover files from a broken HDD

[wxrated]

Hi everybody! I need help to try to recover whatever files possible (yes I was the idiot not to have a backup) from an obviously broken external Seagate HDD. The situation is right now like this: after the HDD didnt come up in the computer (apart from as uninitialized in Disc Management and Disk Drive in Device Manager) I bought a docking station, took the HDD out of the enclosure, plugged into the docking station, plugged the docking station in 2 different laptops and found it beeping and saying that it cant install the driver. Then while still in docking station I scanned the disc with Stellar Phoenix and (well, if that was the disc - and i think it was), it stood that there are no bad sectors, and the scan area was 0.000 mb. I dont seem to find any files.. It looks bad, Im getting very worried, and very much hoping anyone can help me try to recover anything here please???

[Vulcan]

You won't manage to make any kind of accurate diagnosis, while you are attaching the disk via USB. Remember that there are risks with continuing your DIY diagnosis attempts (have you considered and accepted that continuing your attempts might make the situation worse, depending on what the fault is?), and unfortunately I don't have the time to talk you through the process, if you do accept those risks - perhaps someone else will have the time...

If you want some local (same country) professional help, there is Bosse (username mr_spokk) in Sweden - you can get his contact details from his member profile.

[networks]

RANT ON /
And we are somehow supposed to "know" which model of Seagate drive you have that is failed ? I think you assume too much in your initial post you MUST provide TECHNICAL DETAILS if you EXPECT to get help. I mean just the bare bones basic stuff what kind of "enclosure" You do know Seagate does make more than 1 ONE drive model. I look into my crystal balls and see its a 1TB drive ? how close did I come ?

RANT OFF/

[northwind]

I say it is a 500GB. Let's vote ppl!

[northwind]

Anyway, seriously, if drive beeps then most probably its spindle's locked, so there is nothing you can do. Consult Bosse for an accurate diagnosis and a quote.

[Vulcan]

Hi Northwind

Anyway, seriously, if drive beeps then most probably its spindle's locked

Very true, and thanks for spotting that interpretation of the OP's comment.

I thought he meant it was the laptop which was "beeping" (e.g. the USB connect/disconnect "beeps"). The phrase "plugged the docking station in 2 different laptops and found it beeping" is ambiguous (which "it" - the docking station / drive or laptop?) and I read the other interpretation, without realising it was ambiguous.

Again, thanks for spotting that ambiguity.

[northwind]

Hey Simon

I understand this is an external drive, it could be 2.5" or 3.5" which was connected via usb to a laptop. I think OP's info is very limited, we can't say anything more until OP clears out what kind of drive this is, and since my time is limited I will just leave this thread now.

You're right though, OP could mean that laptop is beeping, therefore his entire post is ambiguous.

[Vulcan]

You're right though, OP could mean that laptop is beeping

Actually I prefer your interpretation to my one I just hadn't seen that possible meaning at all, so thanks again for pointing it out - but as you say, there is not enough info from the OP, so everyone is guessing.

[harddrivespecialist]

wxrated, could you be more accurate describing behavior of the drive.
Does it spin up?
Does it make any noises?