Extracting Data from External HD?

[Destroyer]

Hi guys, I know a bunch of you know a lot about computers. I don't know much so I'm looking for some help.

I had my external HD plugged into my laptop and forgot it was plugged in. When I went to pick up the laptop the HD fell off an end table and landed on the floor. It appears like the USB connection bent a bit. Now when I plug it into my laptop it either does not show up. Or it tells me "Device not recognized", stating the device malfunctioned. The messages vary if I wiggle the cord. Also, the times it doesn't say anything, I will remove the cord and for a split second it tells me to format the drive, like it didn't know anything was connected until I remove the drive.

It sounds like it spins up but will occasionally make these clicking noises.

I store all my pictures and videos on this drive so is it possible to get the data off of it?

[Ad Bot]

[U2]

Plug it in, put it up to your ear, and listen for a faint clicking sound. If you hear that sound, your drive platters are forgeted and your data is gone. Otherwise, the USB connection is probably damaged to the point of non-functionality.

[heedicalking]

Plug it in, put it up to your ear, and listen for a faint clicking sound. If you hear that sound, your drive platters are forgeted and your data is gone. Otherwise, the USB connection is probably damaged to the point of non-functionality.

i have one that would click every 3 seconds when a bunch of other USBs were plugged in. i still use it fine to this day.

[Tyler66]

Plug it in, put it up to your ear, and listen for a faint clicking sound. If you hear that sound, your drive platters are forgeted and your data is gone. Otherwise, the USB connection is probably damaged to the point of non-functionality.

I wouldn't say the data would be entirely gone.
There are services that will try to get your data back from dead disks, and sometimes they work.

[Starzy]

Plug it in, put it up to your ear, and listen for a faint clicking sound. If you hear that sound, your drive platters are forgeted and your data is gone. Otherwise, the USB connection is probably damaged to the point of non-functionality.

^This, most likely it's all gone.

[U2]

To clarify, you should check to see if it sounds somewhat like this (except much quieter).

I wouldn't say the data would be entirely gone.
There are services that will try to get your data back from dead disks, and sometimes they work.

I don't think OP has $1200 to kick around.

[Blockzillahead]

Did you try connecting it to another computer?

[Destroyer]

To clarify, you should check to see if it sounds somewhat like this (except much quieter).
I don't think OP has $1200 to kick around.

The sounds are a lot different then then that. The major difference I hear from usual is on start up is will make 3-4 loud clicks (noise different then one played in audio file) and then the clicking will stop.

Did you try connecting it to another computer?

Yeah still no luck.

[Blockzillahead]

Did you try changing the cable?

[Matthew Padilla]

This

Look up guides on soldering usb connectors, buy a soldering kit.

[Momentum]

while i don't know much about data recovery, i do know that there are some places in florida where you can get african slaves to recover the data for you, and it's usually free!

[U2]

The sounds are a lot different then then that. The major difference I hear from usual is on start up is will make 3-4 loud clicks (noise different then one played in audio file) and then the clicking will stop.

Not all drive and drive controller combos will sound the same (for obvious reasons). Still sounds to me like your drive has the click of death. Try resoldering the USB connections as the other guy suggested, but if that doesn't work, you're SOL.

[Destroyer]

Generally how successful is data recovery if all else fails.

[Axo-Tak]

Generally how successful is data recovery if all else fails.

Since you dropped it on the floor, you could probably take the HD out and use a drive dock to recover data yourself, if the HD itself isn't damaged.