Toshiba laptop hard drive not recognized by windows

[tnguyen444]

One day, my computer started performing very slowing and then it took forever to boot up. So finally, I boot it into windows repair and it says my hard drive needs to be fixed and may take a few hrs. I run this overnight. When I come back in the morning, my computer says I have no boot up media.

So I put my hard drive in an external enclosure and hook it up to another computer. The hard drive can not be recognized by windows disk management. It has a buzzing sound -- not even, more like a humming sound. I may be paranoid even considering the sound, as it might sound just like a normal operating hard drive to most people.

Any ideas on what to do?

[BlackST]

Seek pro help as the problem is internal and got worse, there is nothing you can do at this stage. Other option is replace the drive and carry on.

[BlackST]

Seek pro help as the problem is internal and got worse, there is nothing you can do at this stage. Other option is replace the drive and carry on.

[tnguyen444]

You don't think I can replace the PCB?

[HaQue]

well the description of the sound fits most sounds a HDD can make, broken or not - as you point out it may be normal... Yes I know it is very hard to describe sounds.

If you value your data, take it to a pro. If you change the PCB, there is a massively good chance you need to do additional work such as also de-solder the ROM chip and solder it to the replacement PCB - with no gaurantee it is even the problem, but a greater chance of you killing any chance of recovery.

But the simple fact that you even say it has a sound, then I will hazard it is not running right, because if it was you would have said "The sound is normal, like it always was". for a HDD, different than normal is never good!

It is also possible that your external enclosure doesnt support this disk, that the cables are faulty, and a number of other things. but based on the minimal information, internal issues is a very likely scenario.

If you dont need the data, a new HDD would be more than likely cheaper and less work than fiddling about with a PCB, and personally my trust in a HDD is gone after it cacks it, no second chances no matter how good a repair is supposed to be.

If you want to replace the PCB anyway, then first, look around the forum at other similar threads on what other people have gone through replacing PCBs and get familiar with it o your questions and help requests are solid.

hope that helps,

Cheers

[BlackST]

You don't think I can replace the PCB?

NO , because it won't help and in any case a straight swap doesn't work, less than less if your model has embedded Rom in MCU.

[tnguyen444]

Does anyone know any reputable services in the USA?

[lcoughey]

Jon @ http://www.datasaversllc.com/ is one recommendation in the US. He is known as jono-ats on this forum. He is trustworthy and has reasonable pricing.