Data Recovery

[astrana]

My roomate's removable hard drive just stopped working. When we plug it into a computer, the indicator light would turn on, the "device being installed" or "device succesfully installed" icon/notification would show in windows. But the driver will not show in "my computer" nor "disk management"

There are many important legal documents in it along with all his projects and thesis from college.

Commercial Data Recovery cost minimum 800 CND, and he is not likely to be able to afford it.

does any one know how to recover datas or know any place does it for cheap?

Thank you very much

[Code of Honor]

There are free to try data recovery programs out there, but I wouldn't know how good they are.
Does the hard drive spin up at all? If it does, can it be installed internally? That may work.

And it's kinda pointless to say this now but the more important the data is, the more reason there is to back it up, I have 4 copies of my pictures folder all on different HDD's. Actually today I got 5 more hard drives that will be used specifically for back up.

[astrana]

The hard drive still spins, but it has a weird ticking noise, and not being recognized by anty device. It is a 1TB WD E-book or my-book, whatever it's called. I was suggesting taking apart and install, but i couldnt figure out how to open the case.

I feel really bad, cuz last time working was me transfering some file over for a friend of ours

[soundwaveCA]

Yeah I would and try and take it out of the external unit and plug the disk drive internally first, if the disk does not start up or cant be detected otherwise your more or less screwed.

EDIT: Yeah that ticking noise means the drive is dead or dying on you.

[Code of Honor]

Damn, if it's making weird noises stop using it, your screwed. You could try and get the case open, but...

I say if you all can, everyone who was using it should help pay the $800.

edit: Damn Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it took me 10 minutes to write this.

[astrana]

^ lol, ya, i think we might have to go to a data recovery service after all; but 800 is a lot for me or him. I am trying to ask around or find any cheaper service, if anyone knows... please please let me know, thanks

[soundwaveCA]

I would take it in to a local shop first before doing that, could be as simple as a tech just fiddling around with the drive .

[astrana]

My friend me just sent me this link

http://www.fixya.com/support/t344209...book_essential

apparently WD sucks, their hard drives only craters between 6 month to 2 years. many people has the same problem, some says it's driver issue, some says it just dies

bummer

[blitz]

Yah those WD externals don't seem that good. Some of the older 1TB models are 2x 500GB drives in one enclosure that are like raided together and will not work in another enclosure. IIRC the RAID was not the conventional RAID but WDs.