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Problem for Western Digital My Book Essential 1TB External USB 2.0...

1tb Western Digital hard drive stopped working suddenly, no light




By ben_cardy on Nov 03, 2009

" "
My 1tb western digital usb hard drive has suddenly stopped working, I plugged it in and nothing, no lights, no sound, nothing at all. I just need to know whether I have lost all my data and if not, how do I recover it. Thanks
Comments:

Nov 03, 2009

- Yea, I have plugged it the back but still no luck "/

Nov 03, 2009

- It has an external power source and uses the usb to connect to computer, I have tried it on three different computers now but still no luck :( Any ideas on recovering my data?

Best Solution

posted on Nov 03, 2009
Very Helpful)

lserni

Rank: Guru 
Rating: 89%, 72 votes
If the hard drive does not even turn on, then check its power supply. Maybe the power supply went bad; it should be a standard 12V 3.5A power supply.

Even if the power supply is working, chances are good that your data are still there, because the unit not turning on means that the internal enclosure, not the disk electronics, got messed up. It's unlikely that BOTH enclosure electronics AND disk electronics went south together, unless you got a lightning strike at short distance (less than 60 feet, say). You'll need to open the enclosure, extract the drive and connect it to another compatible enclosure (most USB/eSATA enclosures with the same EIDE or SATA connector as your WD will do) in order to override the fritzed enclosure electronics and connect directly to the hard disk. Once you do, your data will be there. If the disk crashed last time it turned on, maybe you'll need to run disk checker and expect to lose a file or two.

On the other hand, if the drive does turn on when powered, and the PC "just" doesn't see it, chances are proportionately bad for your data: you'll need to send the disk to a data recovery service, which can be quite costly.

Comments:

Nov 05, 2009

- So to summarize:

The unit is completely dead. No sound, light, or noise when powered.

Under this conditions, there are two possibilities, and in both, your data should be still there, safe and sound even if temporarily unreachable.

First possibility: busted AC power supply. The unit doesn't power on because it has no power. To check, you need a DC tester and verify whether the AC adaptor is supplying current. If the AC adapter is not delivering, you just replace it with any other AC adapter with identical values for V (voltage), same connector and polarity, and a value of A, VA, or W equal or above the rating of the WD adaptor. In a pinch, if you're game with a hobbyist soldering iron, you can overcome a connector/polarity diversity with a connector transplant (or have it done by any electrician).

Once it gets the power it needs, the WD will work again (using it with a non-WD AC adapter may void the warranty though).

Second possibility: bonked electronics on the WD unit. You need to disassemble it and unconnect the internal hard drive. Then, connect it internally to either a compatible desktop PC, or put it into an external USB enclosure (essentially the same thing of the WD unit). Once recognized, the unit will work, and your data will be there.
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Solution #2

posted on Nov 03, 2009
Very Helpful)

dwane4444

Rank: Guru  Computer Accessories  Expert
Rating: 87%, 74 votes
Try plugging the drive into another port, preferably one at the back of the computer - assuming you have a desktop. If it still doen't work post a comment.
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Solution #3

posted on Nov 03, 2009
Not Rated)

argospete

Rank: Wiz  Computer Accessories  Expert
Rating: 72%, 66 votes
No you haven't lost the data, it is on disc.

Have you tried another usb port that you know is working?

All else fails, return to purchase point for repair.

If data is sensitive, local man to repair while you watch, explaining why of course?
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Solution #4

posted on Nov 03, 2009
Not Rated)

ishaquekvm

Rank: Wiz  Computer Accessories  Expert
Rating: 74%, 50 votes
can you please try to connect to any other computer
if same you have to do following step
remove outercovering
remove all screws
check inside pendulam
pls tr to tighten
if not
you have to give any near shop for recovery

Can you also check one softeare to recover files
software name:recover my files
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Solution #5

posted on Nov 03, 2009
Not Rated)

fredy2

Rank: Wiz  Computer Accessories  Expert
Rating: 84%, 348 votes
This is PROBABLY a power issue. DO NOT PANIC is the word.

Find somebody with test equipment to check the power. IF the unit has external power, verify all the connections and pwoer source are good.

IF the unit gets the power from the USB, the USB power may be a bit weak and the computer will shut off the power to the USB if it senses any overload in some cases.

You might try it on another computer as well.
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