WD2000JB-00GVA0 hard drive

Have this drive in a Mobile Disk USB box. Last night when I tried to access my backups wouldn't recognize the drive. It's happened before that it reports not formatted but reconnecting a few times it always worked.

This time not so lucky. It's making loud noises as if searching. I removed and installed as slave in my system. Same results. System wouldn't even boot.

So?? Any experienced users or techs that have thoughts? It still is on warranty but I'm most concerned about the files on it.

As last resort where and who to restore the files and what cost?

 

When you installed the drive in your system, did you set the jumper properly as slave, how did you connect to the ide cable?

can you physically check the top of the drive and make sure none of the pins are bent?

once installed in your machine, can you get into the bios?

 

can you physically check the top of the drive and make sure none of the pins are bent?

Pins and all are good. No problem there. It hasn't been miss handled or even used all that much. I know from other USB boxes and HD combinations which weren't shipped as unit that I've had some trouble recognizing drives, but never noises and always connected after an attempt or two. Main problem I exprienced was achieving full capacities.

[/QUOTE]once installed in your machine, can you get into the bios?

It saw the drive, stated it was defective but that's an old machine with old bios which may not recognize such large drives.

Not yet tested on this machine (much newer) from which this is being typed on.

Both machines are running XP BTW.

 

Did a few more tests as per WD web site. Just plugging in power cable only gives the same result. About 6 fairly loud clicking noises of the heads sweeping across the disc then silence. I believe the HD is toast so my next question:

Has anyone experience or recommedations for companies that recover the data on the drive?