Damaged external hard drive- suggestions (Page 3): Will probably need professional help to recover, but I'd open the external case, remove the HDD, and use a toaster style dock (I like...

11bravo

Will probably need professional help to recover, but I'd open the external case, remove the HDD, and use a toaster style dock (I like Orico) from Newegg or Amazon to see if it's the HDD itself or the case's connections that are the problem.

For permanent use, I prefer an external case with a fan (seems Newegg no longer stocks the Rosewill external cases with fans), but a toaster style dock is great for temporary mountings. I actually use a small floor fan blowing over the dock at low speed for extended testing.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I had an internal hard drive fail many years ago. I don't remember the company I dealt with but they were expensive. They did a good job and returned several CDs with the data (hard drives weren't that big back then).

Now I have ALL data backed up on both an external hard drive and in the cloud.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

11bravo wrote:

Will probably need professional help to recover, b... (show quote)

I use an OWC dual hard drive dock I purchased from B&H a few years ago. It takes either 3.5" or 2.5" SATA drives. I love it.
I use it primarily for backups.
Sometimes for wiping friends old drives.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

osoblancophoto wrote:

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. I'm sending to Pitts for free evaluation.
I do have all (I hope) backed up across a couple of other drives as well as orig data on the SD cards.
So I can find most, if not all of the files. Time to get external drive housing with ssd drives.... and backblaze.

If you have back ups why send it in. Just create another drive from your backups.

Edit.....no less than two backups. I mirror mine.

osoblancophoto Loc: Venice FL

Rick0747 wrote:

I have used PITS Global Data Recovery Services Web: www.pitsdatarecovery.com. They are pricey but very professional. They were able to restore 100% of my files from a non-functioning USB thumb drive. They use a network of people around the country to do the work. I am in CT and the person was in Brooklyn, NYC. Everything was done via mail and email, not in person. It's worth a conversation with them.

Thanks Rick. In fact they are one of the 3 I called and I'm sending them the drive today- free shipping and free inspection. I'll report back to this site

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

frankraney wrote:

If you have back ups why send it in. Just create another drive from your backups.

classic320

I accidentally crushed an external drive about 6 yrs ago. took it to a local computer repair shop--they removed the disk, out it into another housing and were able to transfer the data to another drive (which I had to purchase). Most of the data made it! I don't recall the exact cost, but less than $100.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

classic320 wrote:

I accidentally crushed an external drive about 6 yrs ago. took it to a local computer repair shop--they removed the disk, out it into another housing and were able to transfer the data to another drive (which I had to purchase). Most of the data made it! I don't recall the exact cost, but less than $100.

WOW! Abnormally inexpensive!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

classic320 wrote:

I accidentally crushed an external drive about 6 yrs ago. took it to a local computer repair shop--they removed the disk, out it into another housing and were able to transfer the data to another drive (which I had to purchase). Most of the data made it! I don't recall the exact cost, but less than $100.

That was CHEAP! Buying local does have bennies.

stangage

Don't know where you're you're located.
Try Click-Away They are in the SF Bay Area but may have other locations they serve

osoblancophoto Loc: Venice FL

Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate your input. What a great group this is!
I'm sending the drive to Pits Global Data recovery Service today- free shipping and free inspection. I'll report back to this site

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

TriX wrote:

If you hold it, and try to turn it, you will feel ... (show quote)

This is exactly what I would do. It’s likely a connector got knocked loose.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

osoblancophoto wrote:

Ok it happened. I managed to knock over a Seagate ... (show quote)

I have not had it happen yet. But the fear of what happened to you keeps me from buying large capacity external drives. I have been using 2T portable ones OK.

The thing is you must back up in duplicate, say in your case the same files to two 5T drives. I have seen 6T and 8T external drives at Costco. But I really feel I want ones with internal cooling fans in the cases. Good luck.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I would take the drive to a local computer store (not a big box store) and see if they can help you and how much it would cost.

CRAZYJAYNE777 Loc: ANAHEIM, CA

Is it even recognizing a drive at all?
Or nothing comes up?
I would say to format the hard drive but if it is not even recognizing a drive at all then you can't.
They only thing I could think of is taking it to a computer repair place.
As if you can format the gard drive you lose everything. Which can be difficult if you have no back up especially with the system itself. Good luck n let me know what happened please Jayne