Hi
I got this external hdd that runs without problem when i plug it in to the computer, but it won't show up. And it won't show up on any computer. The problem that caused this is that the connector got a beating and now it has a crack on the PCB.(Image)

So what i think it is (I don't know shit about this so please correct me if this is stupid) that the PCB got the crack where the information is running through but the powersupply still is intact.

So is there a way of getting the information on the hdd of it without buying a new PCB?

The main problem with this drive is that the data will be encrypted from the USB bridge section to the SATA area, so bypassing the damaged USB connection would not work well. But there is still hope.

I was wondering when something like this would happen with a hard disk with USB interface attached to its board. It used to be a separate PCB that could be replaced. Now all the work has to be done with the drive.

The only thing I recommend now is to take the PCB board of the drive, locate the USB 3 tracks and solder a USB 3 cable directly to the board and then recover your data. I beleave they go from the port directly into the chip. But locating the correct data points will be tricky unless someone knows. Could you give us a picture of the underside with all the components on it.

Shane

Thanks for the reply!
I would be glad to try that!

Here comes the picture of the underside

No, I mean unscrew the green circuit board from the drive and take a picture of the underneath, all the components on the board.

Shane

Oh okay, here!

Yeah, the data paths that lead from the silver port to the black USB chip are severed by the crack, you need to get a TV repair shop to reconnect those paths by a slither of solder across the crack, there are 6 very thin paths in total. (Showed by picture, sorry not much of an artist.) Should not cost much and just take the green board in, not the drive. Should be an easy fix.

Once its done, you should be able to connect the cable, (gently) and carry on as normal. I suggest you take the drive back to the shop and get a new on. Prefably not WD.