I am shocked and surprised. A Iomega USB HD (with Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB inside formatted in NTFS, firmware SD25) is no longer recognized by the PC (it is not even listed in the periphericals in WinXP). I tried with another USB controller and PC, just in case, but with no avail. Moreover, Iomega USB controller with another HD works fine.

The only reason to justify this seems the other day lightening. The USB was rigourously OFF (mechanical switch), but the power cord was attached (the TV LCD in standby in another room was gone without evident signs of burning). The circuits (of the HD and the USB) do not show signs of burning, and actually the plates appear to spin regularly (with the typical noise at the beginning, when they are reaching speed). Temperature stays in the typical range values.
I would be very grateful to have some advises:
1) Is there a way (like software utilities) to check if the problem lies in the circuit board of the HD, rather than inside the plates chamber itself?
2) If it is the circuit board, I could probably by another USB box similar to this one, remove and change such circuit board. What are the properties of the new HD brother that are essential to not make things worse, apart the brand and size. Is the same firmware essential? What else?
3) Probably there are no tricks, but I ask anyway: gurus have always something clever to say. Is it something else that I could do in the attempt to resuscitate the HD?
Many thanks in advance
Anthony

A terminal log might help you.

Search and you shall find.

_________________
Zero Alpha: zeroalpha.com.au
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Many Thanks for the reply and sorry for the newbie question:
How can I make a terminal log if the HD is not detected, even in the list devices at the boot time (I am running a Lenovo portable, which detects USB HDs)? What shall I use to do it?
Sorry for not knowing more. But I am ready to learn
TIA again.
Anthony

We are in Italy and OPEN despite vacation time.... If data is needed, we can help - drop me a PM.

Scared, but willing to know what happened, I made a first step - I hope - in your direction, and in the way I learned something.
This is what I found up to now.
a. The PCB does not show any burning, even on the side of the components (the side that is hidden by the HD case).
b. I tested with an old multimeter the two TVS, and they seem ok: almost shortcircuited in one direction and with more resistence on the other.
c. With everything in place (and without the insertion of any cardstock to exclude motor or headers connections) the Hyperterminal window shows the following outcome:
LED:000000CC FAddr:0024A051
LED:000000CC FAddr:0024A051

What are the odds, in your opinion, that lightening was just a coincidence and what has hitted my HD is only the well known BSY error, without extra damages in the header/preamp?
Thanks in advance for your answer(s).

***Specs:***
HD 7200.11 500GB with 2 NTFS partitions.
Firmware SD25
Serial n. not recognized as needed a firmware update by Seagate check page.
HD under warranty but being part of a Iomega box, Seagate does not offer (DR) help.

I am sure BlackSt will be able to recover all of your data for a very reasonable price.

On another hand you can try on your own and end up with a piece of metal, which could be used to make macaroni.

_________________
www.datarecoveryne.com

...or lasagne. Yes we can, PM me. In any case, even if headstack is ko, it's not the end of the world.

Can you quantify for a BSY error. Thank you.

Correct. No price needed and happy ending obtained. Thanks for your invaluable (lit.) help.