Hey guys, found this place via a Google search. Have read around a little and I see some people here aren't too fond of "newbies wanting to avoid paying for data recovery" type questions but I'm hoping to get some advice as I've never come across this issue before. There are tons of places online offering data recovery but the quotes vary quite a lot and I can't get a good grasp on how salvageable my drive will be. So I'm hoping that presenting you experts with some info can better steer me in the right direction.

I bought the drive (MDL: WD25001032) a couple of years or so ago. It's worked fine up until now. Has that green light on the front. But at the weekend, it was plugged in using the wrong power cable. The computer didn't recognise it and the LED light just flickered constantly whilst plugged in/connected. I've since tried it on my own laptop and with the right power lead, but same thing. Seems like something is blown.

From this information, can anyone tell me what the likely problem is? And what the chances of a pro recovering the data will be? I'm hoping that it's a problem with a transistor or something in the case, rather than the drive itself.

One of the things I'd considered was opening up the case (which seems impossible without breaking it as there aren't any visible screws, but I can always get a new case), taking out the drive and installing it in my desktop PC. I'm guessing that if this was an option, companies wouldn't be charging up to £1000 for data recovery. But what is the reason that it's not an option? What is the potential damage of trying this?

I've never really done much with hard drives before. The most I've ever done has been buying a drive and placing it in an external case, with the help of a media technician. That all seemed rather straightforward, but that's the extent of my experience with them. The only external hard drives I've ever used are that one and this WD one that's now broken.

I am very grateful for any help that you can give me. If the data is likely to be salvageable and will need a pro job, can anyone recommend a company in the UK that is reliable and good value? Ideally I would like it to be a "while-you-wait" kind of job rather than a several day/week turnaround, but I realise that may not be an option. Thanks.

Remove the HD from the unit, if that means breaking the unit then break the unit. Once the HD is removed use a T8 screwdriver (or a small flathead if you dont have a T8 about!!) to remove the PCB and you will probably find visible damage to one of the PCB's components. You MUST NOT open the disk is the data is of any value to you.

If data is important, then maybe you should consider using a reputable recovery company.

The damage might be contained on the USB-IDE board inside the enclosure. It might have extended to the PCB. It might also have extended to the preamp on the head stack, inside the drive. You can recover the data yourself if it's only the USB-IDE board. The second possibility is a bit of grey area, and the third possibility is a 'Send it out' thing.

Thanks guys. My first port of call will be opening the enclosure. Is there a recommended way of doing this with Western Digital books?

Big screwdriver and brute force

If its the new black external western digital, remove the screw first hidden on the bottom right corner. (depends which way you look at it) Use a flat head srewdriver to pry apart the enclosure sides.

if the pcb is faulty expect to pay anything from £250 - £600 depends on who you use, if the pre amp is fried, be prepared to pay £700 - £1500 if you want to see your data again.

Companies claiming to recover data 'in their clean room' for less than £300 should be avoided.

The company linked to from Western Digital's website gave me a flat quote of £349 on the phone.

A flat quote for what? £349 to recover the data no matter what the fault is? hmmm, if its the heads that are fried I can't see hows it's economically viable. what compnay was that?

These guys:

http://www.1ct.com/

They are Western Digital's "preferred data recovery partner" for the UK. The guy said it sounded like a heads problem, and gave me that quote.

I have opened a seagate external USB. It took me awhile to figure it out. It was very very sneaky. There are screws in the base, but non in the cover or under the contact paper decals. I saw plastic latches inside the heat vents. With a little prying and finesse, I used a skinny screwdriver 1 1/2 inches inside to pop the latches and the case was opened.

There is always a way to open those cases, but you just have to look in the nook and cranies and understand how catches and latches work. The more force you exert on that case, the more chances for collateral damage. Its always best to simply figure it out.

I think I'm going to take it to an electrician friend. I don't think he has much knowledge with computer hardware specifically, but he'll certainly be more adept at a) opening the case without causing further damage and b) recognising damage to electronics. Then if the damage has extended to the PCB or beyond I'll start really shopping around the data recovery places.

Where are U?

pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

In the world? England.

I'm in UK.

If you want me to take a look, msn or PM me,

Cheers

Sean

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PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

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