Hello,

I have an external WD HDD element 2TB. The HDD just suddenly stopped working and when plugged, Windows is able to detect it in device manager but unable to find any partition. If I opened disk management, it offered me to initialize the drive, but I did not.

Using the crystalDiskInfo, below is the information:

-- Disk List ---------------------------------------------------------------
(1) WDC WD20EARS-00MVWB0 : 2000.3 GB [2/X/X, sa1] (V=1058, P=1021) - wd

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) WDC WD20EARS-00MVWB0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enclosure : WD Ext HDD 1021 USB Device (V=1058, P=1021, sa1) - wd
Model : WDC WD20EARS-00MVWB0
Firmware : 51.0AB51
Serial Number : WD-WCAZA5564176
Disk Size : 2000.3 GB (8.4/137.4/2000.3/2000.3)
Buffer Size : Unknown
Queue Depth : 32
# of Sectors : 3907029168
Rotation Rate : Unknown
Interface : USB (Serial ATA)
Major Version : ATA8-ACS
Minor Version : ----
Transfer Mode : SATA/300
Power On Hours : 5257 hours
Power On Count : 2163 count
Temparature : 33 C (91 F)
Health Status : Caution
Features : S.M.A.R.T., AAM, 48bit LBA, NCQ
APM Level : ----
AAM Level : 80FEh [OFF]

-- S.M.A.R.T. --------------------------------------------------------------
ID Cur Wor Thr RawValues(6) Attribute Name
01 200 200 _51 000000000000 Read Error Rate
03 253 164 _21 000000000753 Spin-Up Time
04 _97 _97 __0 000000000DFD Start/Stop Count
05 200 200 140 000000000000 Reallocated Sectors Count
07 184 184 __0 00000000017C Seek Error Rate
09 _93 _93 __0 000000001489 Power-On Hours
0A 100 100 __0 000000000000 Spin Retry Count
0B 100 100 __0 000000000000 Recalibration Retries
0C _98 _98 __0 000000000873 Power Cycle Count
C0 200 200 __0 000000000015 Power-off Retract Count
C1 179 179 __0 00000000F6F5 Load/Unload Cycle Count
C2 117 100 __0 000000000021 Temperature
C4 200 200 __0 000000000000 Reallocation Event Count
C5 200 200 __0 000000000003 Current Pending Sector Count
C6 200 200 __0 000000000000 Uncorrectable Sector Count
C7 200 200 __0 000000000000 UltraDMA CRC Error Count
C8 200 200 __0 000000000000 Write Error Rate

It seems that the value of "Current Pending Sector Count" is exceed threshold (maybe?).

I already tried TestDisk but it could not detect any partition at all. I also tried demo version of GetDataBack, FileScavenger, EaseUS Partition recovery, but all of them could not detect any partition as well, with a lot of message about error reading sector...


I then tried to use DMDE, when it tried to scan for partition, it shows error:
Disk #0 Sector 0 (try 2): WinError19. The media is write protected.
.....

(If ignored, the errors kept repeating with different sector as well).

and all values are zeros.

I also tried HxD, and the error messages were the same with DMDE (the media is write protected), and all values are zeros.

Anybody has suggestions, what to do? is the HDD encrypted?

Try with MHDD and see what happens with sectors scan.
Check also smart status in mhdd.

http://hddguru.com/software/2005.10.02-MHDD/

_________________
My firmware database:
https://mega.nz/folder/O01DkBRI

sorry for my late response.

I plugged the 2TB HDD directly through the SATA cable on the mainboard (I unplugged all other HDD), but I could not manage to make the MHDD detect it.
Also, If I plugged the HDD directly through the SATA cable to the mainboard (my PC is dell precision T5600), BIOS was unable to detect the HDD.
The HDD can be detected only when I used the USB case of the WD Desktop Element.

Any help is appreciated.

Maybe it is detecting the USB Bridge, and not the actual hard disk. Try plugging in the USB without the Hard Disk attached and see if it still detects

It shows SMART so its something different.
Does it show busy in MHDD ?
Are you sure you've chosen the right device in mhdd ?

_________________
data recovery Poland

Your drive is from an "Elements" series, it should not be crypted by default.
And as the drive is ID good, I could think of three things...Bad FW, bad heads(but H0 is good) and bad cabinet.
Third option, take out the drive from it's enclosure and connect it directly to your motherboard and try to make a good clone using Mediatools Pro or DDrescue...First and second is not DIY

_________________
Rescue IT Datarecovery service Sweden
Rescue IT Dataräddning Göteborg AB
http://www.rescue-it.se

head lock issue

what is it with wd elements going into headlock for no reason.
anyone know yet

had the same issue shows up in my computer no problem

when you go into disk management it offers to initialize the drive
but if you try this it will come up with error and fail

take it out of the external case and connect it direct to your pc

hope it works for you

Wd Element series hard drive are not encrypted. If you tried all these software's then most likely you have a mechanical/physical problem with the hard drive reading the sectors.

_________________
Think before you act => Most of the time there is only one chance for recovering lost data !