how to save data on dead drive?

[TSXmike]

looks like my backup drive is dead... but theres stuff on it that i want/need.

what do?

[jmilch]

What do you mean dead? Does it show up in BIOS or is it physically damaged (burned board etc)?

[Mindwarp]

Find an exact drive and swap the cct board
Try the freezer trick
Professional services

[TSXmike]

Originally Posted by jmilch

What do you mean dead? Does it show up in BIOS or is it physically damaged (burned board etc)?

does not show up in the bios.

tried different power adapter.
tried different sata port.

both nothing.

i do not seen any burn marks on the board.

[PommieB]

Not enough info, what exactly is happening with the drive, could be external enclosure stopped working, you need to remove the bare hard drive and test it.

[TSXmike]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

Find an exact drive and swap the cct board
Try the freezer trick
Professional services

the drive is probably close to 8 years old. dont think ill find an exact drive (besides my main drive)

Additional Comment:

Originally Posted by PommieB

Not enough info, what exactly is happening with the drive, could be external enclosure stopped working, you need to remove the bare hard drive and test it.

how would i go about testing it besides the things ive already tried (see previous posts)

[Evocati]

Sounds familiar. Has it been clicking at all? When you plug it in does it spin up, then click 11 times before parking?

I'm having a similar issue with my drive so I'll be watching :-)

[TSXmike]

Originally Posted by Evocati

Sounds familiar. Has it been clicking at all? When you plug it in does it spin up, then click 11 times before parking?

I'm having a similar issue with my drive so I'll be watching :-)

no clicking what so ever... just up and died.

[Evocati]

I think you need to pull the PCB off the harddrive and look for damaged components. There are several parts that fail over time like transistors and capacitors, so just look for burn marks.

[PommieB]

Does the drive spin up when you put power to it, if it doesn't then it could be the PCB board, clickings internal problems, the spindle on WD drives can become misaligned. Best thing to do is to be backed up, then you can ditch the drive and move on. It's an old drive they all die eventually, depending on use.

You can try the freezer trick, never worked for me. If the data's very important, you may have to send the drive away. $$$$

[TSXmike]

I bet it has something to do with the PCB. The last couple of days before its death, it was having connection problems. Then when i would cold start my PC, I could smell burning electronics. That smell has since gone away on cold startups.

[Mindwarp]

what drive model is it? I'm sure that someone here has a drive of your model.

[Sp4rt4n]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

what drive model is it? I'm sure that someone here has a drive of your model.

Only problem is, my understanding, that you have to have the same firmware version, and a couple of the chips on the board have to be the same number.

[Mindwarp]

Originally Posted by Sp4rt4n

Only problem is, my understanding, that you have to have the same firmware version, and a couple of the chips on the board have to be the same number.

I didn't realize it was that specific.

[jmilch]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

I didn't realize it was that specific.

It is that specific. I just spent a few months finding a replacement board for one of my old drives.

OP- I had to remove my board from the drive to see the damaged components. They are on the top side. Once I removed the board I could see the burned components that were apparently damaged.

[Evocati]

There's a site called PCBsolutions that may help you with finding a new board. If all else fails, though, you can pull the chip that fried and replace it with a new one from the donor board.

[luckybob]

Originally Posted by TSXmike

the drive is probably close to 8 years old. dont think ill find an exact drive (besides my main drive)

type the model number into Ebay. it WILL be there.

[maxgull]

If it is very important (antique pron collection, nekkid pics of all of your old GFs) these guys can do it. It will cost a small fortune.

[gnizak]

It looks like there have been a few possible solutions posted here in regards to your drive troubles. While I sincerely hope that the drive pulls through and continues along on a healthy life, I also know that nothing in the construct of man is forever. I would like to post these George Harrison lyrics which have helped me through some difficult times of my own, dealing with the death of something important to me, in the hope that you may look to them and find strength.

None of life's strings can last, so I must be on my way,
And face another day.
Now the darkness only stays the night-time,
In the morning, it will fade away.
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time.
It's not always going to be this grey.
All things must pass, all things must pass away...

Please remember that no matter how difficult and painful the loss that you're experiencing may feel, you never have to deal with it all by yourself - there is a community of caring, compassionate people here, all of whom have surely felt this burden at some time on their own, who will be here to guide you.

All the very best wishes.