External HDD not accessible any more (not initialised)

[lsegeorge]

Hi all

I have been searching for help on the following problem for a few days now but did not manage to break any ground.

My external WD elements 2.5” HDD on which I had all my pictures saved is no longer accessible. I first realised when I could not see the drive under “my computer” in windows.

When I plug it I can see the HDD under Computer Management (disk management on Windows). I can also see it under device manager (the hard ware seems to be working fine).
In disk management in Windows it appears as “not initialised”.
It is 750gb but appears as a 2TB HDD.
When I try to initialise it windows produces an error message saying that the disk is right protected.
After reading on the internet I have gone into Windows “regedit” and have ensured that disk write protect is set to “Zero” but this did not help.

I have tried data recovery software. These can see the disk.
I have tried to search for my files using such software but no files were identified.

Can this disk be saved?
Is there anything else I could try?

Thank you !

[BlackST]

Can be saved ? most probably yes.

By you ? NO.

Anything else to try ? NO

[ppumkin]

There is a problem with the drive that you wont be able to fix with software.
Need specialied equipment to fix the drive then other stepts to recover the data.
Send to a verified specialist near you

[unknown]

Your drive doesn't spin up (motor failed or heads stuck to platters) , I bet.
Anyway, you need an intervention by a pro.

Good luck

[lsegeorge]

Thank you guys !
Do you think that Western Digital will be able to help with the hardware site of things? Is there any chance that once the hardware is fixed the data will still be accessible?
I am considering shipping the disk out for repair!

I have a back up of my data up to 30 Jun 2010 + some of the latest pictures were recovered from the formatted memory cards. Total lost data around 1.500 family pictures.
Professional data recovery is probably an exotic solution given the circumstances!

[fzabkar]

Windows is probably seeing the USB-SATA bridge chip inside the enclosure, not the hard drive itself. I suspect that it why it reports a bogus 2TB capacity.

Can you hear the drive spin up, or attempt to spin up? Any vibration?

If the drive is completely silent, then remove it from the enclosure and upload detailed photos of the components sides of the USB-SATA bridge board, if it exists, and the board on the drive.

As for Western Digital, they will supply a complete replacement unit under warranty, but only if you don't open it. WD doesn't guarantee your data.