HP SimpleSave external HDD won't appear in explorer, but is recognized by OS?

RookieTechSavy

Honorable
Nov 26, 2013
45
0
10,530
I've had this external drive for a couple years now and only recently has it started to make these noises and clicking sounds. I need to hook it up once more to transfer all data back but when i plug it in the bubble that says hardware ready to use pops up, but the drive doesn't show up on my computer. Suggestions?

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Solution
You should try the other options (data recovery software and Linux Live USB/CD) when it's connected directly to the mobo as well. And if the data is very important to you, you could always try a professional solution such as a data recovery company. This is the most reliable option, but it can often be quite costly.
Good luck with the data, I hope that you're able to recover all of it.
Hey RookieTechSavy. Unfortunately it doesn't sound very good having in mind the clicking sounds and that the drive is shown as not initialized. Unfortunately most data recovery programs probably won't recognize it if it's not initialized and from what I see you even get an error when you try it. I'd recommend that you try the drive with a different cable and computer just in case. If that doesn't turn out to help in anyway, I'd suggest that you try and access the drive via Linux Live USB/CD to see if you are able to get your files this way. You could always try taking the drive out of the enclosure and connecting it directly to the motherboard to see if it's recognized properly this way (I doubt that the drive is still under warranty, but I have to warn you that in case it is - this would void it), but make sure that it doesn't have hardware encryption.
You could always try and hope if the drive is recognized by at least one of the data recovery programs from this thread here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1644496/lost-data-recovery.html

Hope that helps. Let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD
 

RookieTechSavy

Honorable
Nov 26, 2013
45
0
10,530


Thanks for that Boogieman_WD. Yeah, I just accidentally unplugged it and when i plugged it back in it wasn't even recognized... I will give the motherboard connection a try as it is not under warranty anymore. If that doesn't work.. is it a lost cause and should i just give up?
 
You should try the other options (data recovery software and Linux Live USB/CD) when it's connected directly to the mobo as well. And if the data is very important to you, you could always try a professional solution such as a data recovery company. This is the most reliable option, but it can often be quite costly.
Good luck with the data, I hope that you're able to recover all of it.
 
Solution