WD external hard drive to new enclosure

RobONmaui

Reputable
Jul 10, 2014
3
0
4,510
I had a My Book WD external hard drive that had a broken USB connector. I bought a new enclosure and now the drive is seen as unallocated. I have 500 GB of backup files on this drive and would like to recover them. I am using Windows 7 on a HP DVR laptop
 
Solution
The best option IMO is to buy a new board for the WD enclosure or solder on a new usb port. You could even buy a usb extension cable and cut it and solder the wires to the WD board fairly cheaply.

WD tends to use some 'trick' in their boards to maintain compatibility with older systems and when you move them to new enclosures this can happen. You should see what happens when you do this with a 3tb drive. LoL

Lastly, please remember that important files should always have more that 1 copy stored on more than 1 device. You need to plan on drives failing and minimize your risk of losing them.

RobONmaui

Reputable
Jul 10, 2014
3
0
4,510


 

RobONmaui

Reputable
Jul 10, 2014
3
0
4,510
That option will not work as my drive is only visible when I click on 'My Computer" and then "Manage" It shows up there as unallocated. It does not show up in the "Computer" window.

Thanks for offering an answer though.....
 

popatim

Titan
Moderator
The best option IMO is to buy a new board for the WD enclosure or solder on a new usb port. You could even buy a usb extension cable and cut it and solder the wires to the WD board fairly cheaply.

WD tends to use some 'trick' in their boards to maintain compatibility with older systems and when you move them to new enclosures this can happen. You should see what happens when you do this with a 3tb drive. LoL

Lastly, please remember that important files should always have more that 1 copy stored on more than 1 device. You need to plan on drives failing and minimize your risk of losing them.
 
Solution