Hey,

I am new here, but like many poor people with their HDDs gone KIA, I am not alone.

Straight to the topic:

Victim: WD3000 IDE HDD, which sat cozily in my desktop PC the whole summer while I was away.

Event: After coming back and turning on the PC, WD3000 HDD failed to detect. I opened the case and after a few attempts at turning on the PC, I realized that the HDD is not doing anything. I assume that it is not getting power, or that something connected to power of the HDD has burnt out. I have tried the HDD in two other computers, same result.

Where do I start with this ? Pictures, PC data, anything you need from me for closer diagnostics - just tell me. The data is quite important to me

Can you solder? What is your skill level with computers?

Also, is the data worth ~$800 to you?

Hey, thanks for the reply.

I have not done soldering per se. But I can get into it, I learn those things relatively quickly.

WIth PC's I would say I'm O.K. - assembling computers, OS installs...things like that.

The data is worth around 400 dollars to me. So much I would be willing to shell out if I knew it would be backed up for sure.

Where should I start ?

P.S. Seems I am nervous. Created a new topic accidentally instead of replying...

The first thing I'd check is the fuse/0 ohm jumper, and/or the TVS. Do a search on here for 0 ohm jumper or TVS, and it should tell you everything you'll need to know. Also, it's best if you have a multimeter. If not, get one. They are pretty cheap.

I will need to grab one at the local shop tomorrow. Tried amazon, but they charge more for shipping than for the price of the multimeter. *slap*

Do Amazon also sell some books like "basic electronics for dummies" ? I think one with NO experience at all should READ something first. Anyway it's not my problem.

A multimeter I can handle If it will have to get to soldering, I will have to get more knowledge. But my hands grow out of the right place. If it's only a chip/electric failure on the control board, I hope that with the help from people on this forum I can repair it.

I'll keep ya'll posted!

Hope is the last thing to die.

As usual, (clear) pics of the drive label and component side of the PCB are a plus!

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You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.