Dropped 3'5" External HD

Today I dropped my External HD and it was on, so it stopped responding.

I did everything unplug it, reassembled the whole thing, the computer detects

the HD only in the Control Panel Device Manager, but my computer doesn't

show me anything. So I went into Safe Mode w/ Command Prompt, and did a

Chkdsk /f to scan my HD and it found many errors and started fixing them while

scanning the HD in 3 phases, and the scanning ended successfully. And now

when I turned off the HD and restarted my comp, and turned on HD it started

to make this stupid Clicking noise, I hope my HD is not DEAD!!! anyone has

any suggestion on how to fix it? The HD is WD2000BB WDc

 

Hi. Sorry I don't have any encouragement for you. I have read somewhere on the 'net that the clicking noise from a hdd means the heads are trying to overtravel (physically go outside their normal range of travel). I had the original hdd in my Toshiba laptop do just that sometime back. Had to replace the drive, but that got me back up and running. Good night and good luck.

 

I am going to try to use this program called Spinrite. I heard some good stuff

from it. I know that the hard disk will not work, I just need the data. So if this

method doesn't work, I'll try to contact a service where they can back up all

my HD files. Thanks alot if anyone else has any solution, I would be happy to

try them out.

 

Well the old freezer trick sometimes works on worn out hd's, dont know if it will work on damaged hd's, wont hurt to try, put hd in freezer overnight, try again tommorrow. ed

 

Chances are, if it's a loud obnoxious clicking clacking sound, the drive is dead. WD has a std. 3 year warranty on their products (I think) so visit the WD web site and check for the warranty status. You'll need the drive's serial number and part number and model number. They won't save your data but they should replace the drive (as long as they don't know that it was dropped!!! )....
GOOD LUCK

hopperdave2000

 

give spinrite a try...its supposed to work wonders...
remember...any data you dont have 2 copies of is data you really don't care about

 

I tried connecting the HD to my desktop pc through IDE cable, and tried running

Spinrite, but I don't know why the spinrite software hangs when it tries to

detect the connected HD's, it keeps looking for Mass Storage. I will try to use

someone else's computer, I think my desktop is kinda messed up, its not mine

its my bro's. When I turn on the HD I can hear that the cycle is not manuvering

correctly, do you think if I open it I can fix the cycle?

I still don't understand why does the HD slow my computer down when connected?

 

Opening a HD is NOT a good idea: HD surgery is for the highly skilled and is performed in "clean rooms" that are 100% free of dust and any airborne particulate matter, no static, 0% humidity, etc.... The PC slows down probably 'cuz it's trying to read and recognize a damaged HD. If the data is really that important, there are numerous companies that have "clean rooms" and can perform platter level data recovery for a pretty hefty fee (usually $500 minimum and up). Your best bet is to visit your HD's manufacturer's web site and look into warranty replacement thru an RMA request..... They may have some tools or utils available for download that can help. You can try removing the HD from its external enclosure and try a different enclosure or hook directly to your motherboard and see if that works, but it sounds like the drive's mechanics got whacked when it was dropped

GOOD LUCK -
hopperdave2000

 

After further trial and error. I connected the HD to 3 PC's already and booted

Spinrite, the Spinrite software doesn't detect it. Then I connected the HD back

to my laptop using USB for another trial, and left it about 15 min, and

surprisingly it detected it. I tried accessing the HD, but it just freezes for really

long and keeps trying to access it but no luck, left it over night.

I downloaded WD Diagnostics from Western Digital

web site, and that software detected the HD, than I ran the Express Test, it

started scanning the sectors but when it reaches sector 28927 of 390721968

and shows me an error "Too many bad sectors" then I had to quit the

software, only choice gave me. Can anyone point out new methods to try?

I was thinking if I froze the HD overnight and try the scan will that make a difference?

 

Freezing an HD only helps if the HD crashed due to heat build-up, and thats not the case for you. The fall has probable both jarred the heads and in doing so damaged the platter surface. Wish I could offer you a magic solution to get it up a running long enough to recover your data, but I can't. The HD has to be sent to a Data Recovery company, and they have to physically remove the platters and read what they can from them SORRY