Hello All.. new to the forum. So, I have googled & tried a few different programs with no luck..

I have a 2008 MBP, all was fine until one day.. powered up, heard chime then white screen. Ended up at Apple store - diagnosed as bad logic board. Now, I have to send in for replacement - BUT I first need to back up my HDD.(350Gb)

I removed my internal HDD, placed it into an enclosure & plugged it into my other (working) MBP. The HDD sounds normal - hums along - but it is NOT DETECTED AT ALL. (green light showing the enclosure is working)

I tried all of the basics - rebooting, other usb ports, even booted into windows for the heck of it.. still no detection.

I tried another USB-> SATA adapter as well.. on another MBP (in Microcenter, actually) still no luck.

So, no loud clicking.. sounds OK.. I'm thinking it might be a matter of something wrong with the file structure at the point that will not allow the system to see the drive.. ?

I tried R-Studio, but it's still not detected.. so no use as of yet. (been trying to contact tech support at RStudio as well, they've been busy)

Any ideas on how I can get my MBP to detect this HDD?
** i keep reading stories of some people placing HDD in freezer for a bit... could this do damage, though?

Any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.!! (trying every avenue before spending $$$ on pro recovery options)
** let me know if i've left any important info out..
Thanks!

I'm going to say that what you're avoiding (professional recovery) is going to be your only helper here.

But make sure you don't send anything directly to Apple. That's basically the same as waving goodbye to your data forever...

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Nationwide data recovery services for RAID servers and laptops - http://www.harddriverecovery.org/

yeah, that's what I am afraid of... and that's what RStudio told me as well.. except I should also try to call Hitachi, sometimes they can help. I'll be making more calls and a bit more research before I give in. :'(

if R Studio is not able to detect the disk, then it might be a Hard Disk issue.
put the disk in enclosure and try in any windows system.. if it is not able to complete USB detection procedure and creates noise then you will be forced to give to DR.. no DYI solution..!