WD My Book 2TB Locked and Unable to access software! ='(

[relinquish]

I appreciate any help I can get! I really just want to do a one time retrieve of the data I have on my drive!
Seems like this is a common problem with the WD My Book as I have read, but I haven't gotten an answer so far.

The drive seems to be locked out from access, because everytime I plug in the drive, it flashes the lock icon and then will run for a bit and then stop running (power will totally go off). Then, it will suddenly, light up again and flash the lock icon. I'm pretty sure the drive is no good, seems to be a firmware problem? It is also undetectable on any computer that I plug it into.

I just to see if any of you know a way that I can do a one time retrieve of the existing info on the drive so I can discard it to WD after (I'm still under warranty).

Thanks in advance for your input!

[BlackST]

If the internal drive SPIN UP THEN SPIN DOWN (with or without a 'faint click') and repeat it some times , you can forget data without pro intervention as it is usually an internal problem. Have the drive thoroughly checked, but this *may* require opening the enclosure - you can't have all (RMA, warranty, data...)

[dmarques]

Put your ear close to the drive and check what BlackST said.
If you ear spin up and spin down (normally 3 times), it's most probably heads and you need a proper diagnosis.

And if the data is valuable I wouldn't do that many and many times.

[loki]

Have the drive thoroughly checked, but this *may* require opening the enclosure - you can't have all (RMA, warranty, data...)

Im not so sure? WD website says the following:

"If you utilize data recovery services, Western Digital will not void the warranty associated with the disk drive you purchased from a Western Digital reseller or distributor. To retain the warranty status of your drive, you should ensure that the service provider you use provides you with written verification, on its company letterhead, that it has performed data recovery or other services on your hard drive"

http://support.wdc.com/recovery/index.asp?wdc_lang=en

Can anyone confirm if this also covers internal work? Which I doubt it.
Wd wording is to vague.

Loki

[BlackST]

VERY vague. Unless they mean WD AUTHORIZED DR service provider....

[northwind]

They mean authorized partners.

[mr_spokk]

Put your ear close to the drive and check what BlackST said.
If you ear spin up and spin down (normally 3 times), it's most probably heads and you need a proper diagnosis..

In all my years of DR work, I'll never seen THIS happend

[MANDR]

Unless they mean WD AUTHORIZED DR service provider....

I guess they do mean WD authorised providers, but with so many new DR shops popping up, are there any requirements in place to ensure your HDD is handled by a reputable company? Does anyone know how often do they update this list of providers?

[hddguy]

Unless they mean WD AUTHORIZED DR service provider....

I guess they do mean WD authorised providers, but with so many new DR shops popping up, are there any requirements in place to ensure your HDD is handled by a reputable company? Does anyone know how often do they update this list of providers?

I notice they list GeekSquad as authorised partners, but i365 are not listed. This does not mean geeksquad are more 'reputable' than i365 as an example...

[Cleanroom]

Unless they mean WD AUTHORIZED DR service provider....

I guess they do mean WD authorised providers, but with so many new DR shops popping up, are there any requirements in place to ensure your HDD is handled by a reputable company? Does anyone know how often do they update this list of providers?

I notice they list GeekSquad as authorised partners, but i365 are not listed. This does not mean geeksquad are more 'reputable' than i365 as an example...

Geek squad uses Ontrack for their data recovery needs. Ontrack set up a special lab in Tennessee ( I think) that handles all the best buy data recovery's only.

[relinquish]

Thanks for all the replies!!!

Yeah, my drive does spin up and down, and then completely power off. I can't really hear a click...but today when I tried to plug it in, the USB mount on the HD broke off...lol I guess that's a sign that I should just let my data go...

When I spoke to the rep at WD, he told me that I could go anywhere to retrieve my data, and if I'm having troubles finding where to go, then there's a list of the data revival dudes on their link. He never mentioned anything about voiding warranty etc if the HD has been opened up or anything.

Cheers!

[BlackST]

The bad thing is that it isn't going to cost 50$ ... Good luck whatever you decide.

[SquaL]

Hi, contact lcoughey. Best to not power drive anymore.

[relinquish]

Hi, contact lcoughey. Best to not power drive anymore.

I would love to contact him...except my noob forum status won't let me send msgs...=(

[pcimage]

Hi, contact lcoughey. Best to not power drive anymore.

+1 lcoughey