Data Recovery from External Disk Drive

[WaliN]

I can no longer read from my external hard disk drive. I hear the drive making noise, but the removable disk drive does not show up on my computer directory anymore. I believe the drive has failed. The data on the drive is very important. Is there a way I can still retrieve it?

[Huffer]

Stop using it and contact a data recovery service. You can find them on the internet and in the local phone book. They are expensive but can work miracles.  If the drive spins up and does not click or whine it is possible it will not require extreme or superexpensive measures to recover the data.

[Mumbodog]

Most likely the hard drive is OK, it is a failure of the USB controller or power supply inside the enclosure.

You can disassemble the enclosure to remove the hard drive, then use a hard drive to usb adapter to get your data. 

Google "disassemble <your enclosure model>", you might find instructions for your particular model.

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[pepe999]

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WaliN wrote:
I can no longer read from my external hard disk drive. I hear the drive making noise, but the removable disk drive does not show up on my computer directory anymore. I believe the drive has failed. The data on the drive is very important. Is there a way I can still retrieve it?

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Have you tried the hard drive on a different computer? I would do it first. Then you can dismantle the exclosure and try to connect it somehow else..

[WaliN]

I was told by a data recovery service that if I open the enclosure, I could further damage the external hard drive and limit the chances of data recovery. They mentioned that the hard drive enclosure should only be open in a clean room. What are your thought?

[Huffer]

I agree in terms of opening up the hard drive itself but the external enclosure can be opened in most cases and the hard drive removed from it without doing any damage whatsoever. Some are much easier than others and I have had to practically destroy the enclosure to get to the drive inside. What exact type of external hard drive is it?

[Mumbodog]

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WaliN wrote:

I was told by a data recovery service that if I open the enclosure, I could further damage the external hard drive and limit the chances of data recovery. They mentioned that the hard drive enclosure should only be open in a clean room. What are your thought?

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I think they meant the cover on the hard drive itself, not removal from the external hard drive enclosure, you could email them to confirm this.

[WaliN]

It is a Lacie d2 200GB hard drive. It is one of their older models and this design almost impossible to open. Any useful tips on how to open the outer case for this device?

[Mumbodog]

Remove 2 screws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax390l2A-AY

[Huffer]

A few more than 2 screws but you get the idea.