External Hard drive not detected at all

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

Aimanness

Commendable
Mar 15, 2016
3
0
1,520
I own this: http://www.amazon.com/HGST-Touro-Mobile-External-HTOLMX3NA10001ABB/dp/B0062FZ2WS

I been using this hard drive for more than a year, it works great. But lately it always problem to detect to any some USB port (i'm using Windows 8 in office). Last night I plugged into my pc but I didnt do anything (at home using windows 7) but suddenly automatically disconnected. I've tried to other USB port but still didnt work.

So this morning I came office I plugged the hard drive on my pc it was detected for few seconds only by right after I moved the hard drive it went down again. So I did tried to other pc as well, and switch other cable and it still didnt work. i might be concern the hard drive usb port got some problem or loose maybe. So what do I need to do now?

 
Solution
A
I just passed to my IT friends, he just checked my hard drive and he said isnt wasnt a usb cable, it is power socket and some component board might be loose, cos I had one time fell the hard drive last week (no wonder).
What he did he just tight up the cable together with hard drive with a rubber band and make it tight and plug in. Thank God can detect like normally. But still cannot move so much when the hard drive.
So now hes helping me to backup my files and get me a new casing for my external hardrive (i still can use but only for home use, not safe) So as backup plan Im still getting a new one hard drive for double backup.
Thank you for your good advice for this problem, I'd appreciate it alot. Now Im planning to get more online...
Sort by date Sort by votes
D_Know_WD

D_Know_WD

Judicious
Jul 30, 2014
6,633
3
35,960
Hi there Aimanness,

That is unpleasant. :(

So you have tried using different cables and USB ports right?
Have you checked if the drive is recognized by Disk Management and Device Manager and how? In case you haven't, it may be a good idea to do so.
All of this sounds like a connection related issue. If we assume that the cable or the USB port of your system is not the problem, then most likely, there is something wrong with the enclosure.
I believe you have several options:
- Contact a data recovery company in case the data stored on the drive is really important. I doubt that you will be able to access the drive with data recovery software.
- RMA the drive if it is under warranty. You will not get you data though.
- Some users take the drive out of the enclosure and connect it internally in similar cases. Keep in mind that this will void the warranty. Also, it may not work if the device has hardware encryption, proprietary connectors or if just the enclosure is not the issue here.

Let me know in case you have some more questions,
D_Know_WD :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

Aimanness

Commendable
Mar 15, 2016
3
0
1,520
Thanks for your fastest feedback D_Know_WD!

I've tried different cables and USB ports as well. I did the Device Manager and Disk Management last night at home, but it seems like didnt work. but for the windows 8 I'm not sure how to do it cos Im using Windows 7 at home. For now there's no action for my hard drive at all, no sound, no vibrates, no blue light, seems like dead piece (oh my God :(). But definitely my warranty is already expired. Is it possible to call the Western Digital to fix the problem, at least I can get all my files inside. I'm doing photography, most of those pictures are my work stuffs which is very important. Please advice.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D_Know_WD

D_Know_WD

Judicious
Jul 30, 2014
6,633
3
35,960
After the drive shows no sings that it is powering up at all, then most likely there is something wrong with the enclosure. The drive inside may be completely healthy.
I believe that it would be best to just contact the manufacturer's Support via e-mail or phone. I believe the guys over there should be able to help out.

Basically, if the data stored on the drive is really important, your best bet would be to contact a data recovery company.
Your other option would be to go with the taking the drive out of the enclosure approach.

Keep in mind that mechanical drives could just fail. You should keep the data that you can't afford to loose stored on at least two places.

Hope this will help,
D_Know_WD :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

Aimanness

Commendable
Mar 15, 2016
3
0
1,520
I just passed to my IT friends, he just checked my hard drive and he said isnt wasnt a usb cable, it is power socket and some component board might be loose, cos I had one time fell the hard drive last week (no wonder).
What he did he just tight up the cable together with hard drive with a rubber band and make it tight and plug in. Thank God can detect like normally. But still cannot move so much when the hard drive.
So now hes helping me to backup my files and get me a new casing for my external hardrive (i still can use but only for home use, not safe) So as backup plan Im still getting a new one hard drive for double backup.
Thank you for your good advice for this problem, I'd appreciate it alot. Now Im planning to get more online storage for work use. Thanks Tomshardware! Hava good day! Xx
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom