:"( Help! 500 GB Seagate External Harddrive won't light up/get detected..

lizardfuel55 on 13/6/2010 at 19:30

..but I hear and feel a faint spinning noise coming from the inside when I connect the external harddrive's USB to the PC. Then after 5 seconds, it fades out again. There's no response from the computer. This is the make and model I'm talking about: (http://www.theupgradeplace.com/images/D/FreeAgentGoSILVER.jpg)

Additional details:

-This external harddrive is FAT32, so it's recognizeable on Windows and Macs. It was working fine a few weeks ago, then it wasn't put to use and now it won't start.

-There has been no physical damage--have never once dropped it. I also see no physical damage on the outside.

-I have tried many USB slots on PC/Mac machines (computers that I have used my external harddrive on in the past) and no machine will respond.

-The USB cable isn't the problem--I swapped it with a similar 500 GB, FAT 32, Seagate external harddrive USB cable and there was still no response. Also, I tried the original USB cable on this other Seagate external and it booted fine (spinning noise, lights up, Autoplay from Windows).

-I also first connected one end of the USB to the PC, and then plugged the external harddrive into the other end of the USB, but I get the same "response" (hearing and feeling a faint spinning noise, but no response from the external or the computer)

-According to the S/N and P/N on the back of the device, I still have Seagate warranty.

-Don't know if this will help, but it was partitioned into 4 drives, much like the other working Seagate 500gb external harddrive that I tested.. but that has never been a problem. I have given it enough time to get detected and I'm convinced that's the least of my concerns.

This is the first time this has happened to me. What I'm more worried about is :

-Can I get my data back? It was close to 500 GB and all my college stuff is on there :"(

-Could this just be a logicboard/case problem, or is something wrong with the internal disc? How can I fix either, and is it going to be expensive?

-Or is Seagate going to get my data back for me if I ship it to them? Will I also get a new "case"/device, or is this one just going to be fixed with the data still on it.

That's all:( while I cry in a corner and wait for any replies and suggestions (which is greatly appreciated). Thanks in advance!

**

A rough quote from Seagate says 1200 to 1600$ . Now the real question is ..

Should I try making it a slave drive and connect it to my desktop computer in the hopes of getting my files back and if I'm unsuccessful, sending it to professional data recovery services (and which ones would yourecommend 'cause Seagate is almost a ripoff)? The warranty doesn't mean a thing since Seagate's warranty does not cover data recovery. If I try to take my friend's help/do it myself, it 's taking a risk but I'm not replacing the disc...just making it a slave drive.

Or should I send it in to the professional services and not attempt anything on my own?

Renzatic on 13/6/2010 at 19:48

Quote Posted by lizardfuel55

Could this just be a logicboard/case problem...

Generally, this is usually the first thing that craps out on an external drive. In most cases, the harddrive inside the case is just fine, but the little interface board or power supply is crapping out on you. If you're really desperate to get your stuff back, you could crack open the case and plug the drive directly into your comp as a slave and just copy your files over. The harddrives in most externals are usually just regular 3.5 drives in a little housing, so that isn't very difficult a thing to do.

The (very rare) worst case scenario is the drive itself is bad, and you'll have to spend an arm and a leg sending it out to a specialist with a clean room to get your files off for you. For that, you're looking at about $700 minimum, regardless of if they can recover your data or not, and a couple weeks of waiting.