Maxtor One Touch 4 with Seagate HDD

[RTFavara]

Couldn't have died at a worse time. (of course).

Removed drive from enclosure to test the power and SATA connections (they are fine)

When applying power the drive buzzes one long then about 9 short and another long
Then nothing.

The drive has thousands of dollars of software on it I use for installing on my network, I have got to try everything to get to the drive.

the Maxtor Manager doesn't see the drive
My Computer doesn't see the drive

I have a "White box" so that I can open the drive, but has anyone experienced that buzzing sound in that maner? and any thoughts on what the issue might be?

Could it be the circuit board?

Really important guys thank you. (of course they are all really important)

RTFavara

[BlackST]

70-80% mechanical - internal , the rest electronic/electric. Have the drive diagnosed , if you need several qualified forum members are near you.

[RTFavara]

Your observations sounds logical. I lost my job 5 months ago (IT Director) and presently in a terrible financial condition. I really need some of those programs, If there is/are anyone that would help me with this it would be forever appreciated. I have been hands on in IT for almost 30 years and have tools and workbenches etc.

It would be something I would like to know and understand as well. I have a lot of old drives that I can use for practice etc. So if there is anyone that is willing to help in anyway I am ready and willing.

Richard

[einstein9]

Richard,

The drive has thousands of dollars of software on it I use for installing on my network

in this case better u send it to proper pro. guy/company

[labtech]

Was it dropped?

[BlackST]

1) It is a constant that at every data loss the owner is in "troubled water"
2) It is quite a constant that the owner is an IT professional who has access to tools etc. BUT (constant) doesn't know how this stuff work .
3) It is a constant that every newbie or freshly registered user want to DIY
4) It is also a constant that , beside the expensive tooling needed for diagnose etc. the relevant info is wanted for free.

Once for all, this is a technical forum originally intended for technical exchange between profesisonals, if some basic help is needed (assuming it is possible) would be better to go to other forums.
Don't expect to be trained or guided.
Releasing of certain info would mean breaching of NDAs many people here are under or leading to loss of profit. Neither us , who are self-employed or run individual companies, want to have problems or end living of "foodstamps" or be broken. Unfortunately, that's life - despite personally I feel sorry for your situation and I am quite sure other people here are, too.
So said, as YOU said that the content of the disk is quite of importance, for data safety (and your peace of mind too) you have to ask a professional. Explain him/her your situation and find an agreement.

Otherwise, the only solutions left are :

- seek the internet for advice , even if you'll find idiot advice too, and assume ALL risks. OR , in case of failure, contact the source and refer to them.
- store the drive and wait for times to change (data will be "as is")
- seek internet for advice , study your case, practice on "guinea pig" drives and assume ALL risks. Who dares wins, but not always.
- get professional help and find an agreement on price / payment terms + consider a loan (please... we are not talking about THOUSANDS $ , let's get serious - it is going to cost much less than repairing an average damage on an average car).

In any case, if the drive was dropped it is quite sure the problem is mechanical AND heads can be everywhere AND there can be media damage (this means 100% recovery MAY NOT BE possible).
If it was not dropped, but the problem is mechanical, you are in the situation above : clean room rework is mandatory at least for diagnose.
If the problem is elsewhere, it needs to be ruled out.

[warnerr]

loved your 4 constants, BlackST! Funny! From the description I place the do it yourself odds at successful recovery at 98% permanant loss. Absolutly get drive to a competent lab. Mastercard would be my best advice. Terrible when your down to spend more but no use digging a deeper hole losing all information trying .... improbable you will succed....if that datas so important- find a way to pay to get it done. Lots of good companies here, but they would like to be able to have a hamburger when they go home.

[BlackST]

I would add that when quote or bad news for DIY is given, usually 3 things happen : importance of data falls, rush - idem with added potatoes , # of threads somewhere (and spam...) increase

[Steve]

The thing I always find amazing is that posters have years and years
oh "hands on IT", But don't have a back-up of such important data.