Dropped my WD My Passport Utra external HDD

Your out of a drive most likely, BUT if your getting a series of beeps, those would be from the computer identifying a hardware issue, which you would need to look up Error / BEEP Codes in your Motherboard manual.

If you get no beeps with it NOT plugged in then it is totally the ext HDD causing the beeps, nothing more to worry about.

YES COMPUTER HARDWARE DIES WHEN YOU DROP IT. If you that rough with delicate objects, get a ruggedized version (just like those people who needed hardened phones because the normal 'phone' always 'breaks' when dropped) but will be more expensive, but be better then losing the stuff on the drive and the drive itself.

I have this same low beep high beep code, but what is not specified here is that you only hear it if you put your ear to the drive. It is a Western Digital vendor code. does anybody have a table with those on it?

Same answers still. If you dropped it /damaged a ext drive (doesn't matter who makes it) you will break it. If it is not accessible then your SOL and should had a backup of the data (as mentioned). If it is accessible them backup the data immediately your drive is failing. Again common sense, if it is under warranty then contact WD about it NOT FORUMS, if not under warranty then again, buy a new drive.

I've been replacing hard drives and internal computer parts as a side hobby for many years. No I am not a specialist. I just like to find ways to fix things myself. People are afraid to mess with computers because they don't understand them. A computer, like a hard drive, is just parts that are put together. You can take apart these parts, just like you can put them back together.

If you have dropped your HD while the device was off, not lit up, or disconnected from your device, then it has a chance to be salvaged or even fixed.

From what I have learned, if you have dropped your hard drive while it was on, then unfortunately you've probably scratched and damaged the internal disc, which is usually a bad sign for recovery.

However, remain hopeful, there is still possibilities of it being salvaged, or even fixed, depending on how hard the drop was. The drives are delicate, but accidents happen. I hope you are able to retrieve the information you want if your drive is unable to be fixed!

Back Up Plan: If you still have the patience to try at all ends to fix something before spending lots of money, like myself, if you are unable to fix the issue yourself. Try this to see if you can at least get your information saved from the broken hard drive by doing this. You could call a specialist, or you can attempt to try a careful DIY!

If you dropped it and have to buy a new hard drive anyways, but still really want your information from the old one, just buy the same one. Then return the old one..., just kidding. Try to replace the parts that are damaged by comparing the new and old driver parts to figure out which ones are different and broken. Yes, this seems easier said than done. But if you choose to take some time to spend solving, instead of spending your money, try using these tips. Not a guarantee, but not harmful to your wallet if you are buying a new HD anyways.

*Side note: Copy any new stored info from your hard drive to your computer God forbid you make a mistake and damage your new hard drive. This is highly unlikely if you can be careful and patient with handling your drives. However, if you damage the new one in the process, just put it back together and return it within the return receipt date. Most places of business take items back if you tell them it does not work. Technically if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

Now For Your Do It Yourself Fix!

-Take both hard drives to a clean and non dusty surface area. Avoid areas of animal hair wherever you choose to work. Basically just do a quick clean on a surface you can work on carefully.

*Avoid MAGNETS or magnetic screw drivers around your hard drives! Especially when they are open and exposed!
-If you have, use eye glass screw drivers or a very small screw driver in case you need it.
-Bring a sandwich baggie or two, because they come in handy if there are screws or small pieces that could easily get lost.
*Remember to be careful and separate the two hard drives so you don't mix their parts together when you have to put them back together. Use the bags if you need, don't depend on your memory because it might take you more than five minutes.
-Use a flat head screw driver or something small and flat that you can use as a tool to pry your hard drive case apart.

Now take apart your devices. You can do this usually by carefully popping or lightly prying apart the case from the top to the bottom. My hard drive had to open from the side, still not too hard to do, but everyone's can be different. Just look for contour or continuous connecting lines around the case to figure out how the top part and bottom part of the case separate from one another. Do this with both of your hard drives, one at a time, making sure to separate the parts that go with it's original hard drive.

Now looking at both of your drives you can compare the new drive you bought to the old drive you have. You can try to find where the issue is by observing both drives carefully and comparing each part.

If you want to jump to finding out if you can just get your info back from your old hard drive, try this first after you have taken both drives apart. Remove both internal pieces. Then take your old internal hard drive and swap or replace it into your new hard drive. Try connecting the hard drive to your computer/device. If it worked, usually a small "auto play" window will pop up on your computer's screen if the device was recognized. If not just swap the parts back to the original drive's cases.

Also if that didn't work. I would recommend if you try to compare all the parts to see if you can find a difference between the two. If you can, try and swap the damaged part for the good one. Only try this if you can be patient and want to do this yourself!

Thanks hope this helps! Let me know if this works for anyone

-J.Rose.

You could call a specialist, or you can attempt to try a careful DIY!