Computer Help and Support

pstokely

(10,713 posts) Thu Jan 25, 2018, 03:58 AM Jan 2018

any way to recover files from a failing WD Passport external HD

Last edited Thu Jan 25, 2018, 05:16 PM - Edit history (1)

It shows up in Windows Device 10 Manager but not in disk managment, tried different computers and USB cables with no difference, it's been making a few beeps after it's plugged in, I assume it's dead, nothing real important on there that I don't already have backed up, it's only 2 years old and I've had WD products that have lasted longer than this, how much does data recovery run? also, I there a way to recover deleted pictures from an SD card used in Android phone

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any way to recover files from a failing WD Passport external HD (Original Post) pstokely Jan 2018 OP

You can try this Cattledog Jan 2018 #1

My experience is with a 2TB WD MyBook. Eugene Jan 2018 #2

was it under warranty? pstokely Jan 2018 #3

Try this. Renew Deal Jan 2018 #4

will that even work if the HD isn't being detected by windows? pstokely Jan 2018 #5

Is the USB connection detected? Renew Deal Jan 2018 #6

it shows in the Safety Remove Wizard but not in Windows disk managment pstokely Jan 2018 #9

windows will often not show the disk if the partition table is lost Egnever Jan 2018 #7

See my post here (at least for the card): eppur_se_muova Jan 2018 #8

Hard drive electronics have failed, it's toast. Brainfodder Jan 2018 #10

Cattledog

(6,340 posts)

1. You can try this

Reply to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 04:12 AM

Jan 2018

https://www.easeus.com/resource/hard-disk-data-recovery.htm

Eugene

(62,663 posts)

2. My experience is with a 2TB WD MyBook.

Reply to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 04:23 AM

Jan 2018

YMMV. The MyBook was a desktop-compatible HDD inside a custom enclosure.

In my situation, the USB enclosure was fried. I took the MyBook apart and plugged the HDD into a desktop PC. The drive was still good, but the file table was zapped. Recuva was able to undelete the files, but it was cleaner to restore from backup. I put the HDD in a new USB enclosure and the HDD lasted a total of 4 years.

As for the SD card, Recuva is said to work and there is an Android app for it, but I haven't tried it.

pstokely

(10,713 posts)

3. was it under warranty?

Reply to Eugene (Reply #2)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 06:18 AM

Jan 2018

I think mine is

Renew Deal

(82,931 posts)

4. Try this.

Reply to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 07:16 AM

Jan 2018

But have a backup drive ready in case works. This app is well trusted by people that care about these things.

https://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm

pstokely

(10,713 posts)

5. will that even work if the HD isn't being detected by windows?

Reply to Renew Deal (Reply #4)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 07:41 AM

Jan 2018

I makes a few beeps after it's plugged it

Renew Deal

(82,931 posts)

6. Is the USB connection detected?

Reply to pstokely (Reply #5)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 09:41 AM

Jan 2018

Do you think it's a USB issue or a hard drive issue? If the USB is good, I think it will be fine. In terms of recovery on its own, this tool is solid, but it only deals with hard drive problems, not USB problems. There are other ways to deal with that.

pstokely

(10,713 posts)

9. it shows in the Safety Remove Wizard but not in Windows disk managment

Reply to Renew Deal (Reply #6)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 05:17 PM

Jan 2018

I've tried several different USB cables and computers

Egnever

(21,506 posts)

7. windows will often not show the disk if the partition table is lost

Reply to pstokely (Reply #5)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 12:19 PM

Jan 2018

the fact that device manager sees it still leads me to believe it can still be accessed but that may or may not be true. Try the software that was recommended. You might get lucky.

eppur_se_muova

(37,436 posts)

8. See my post here (at least for the card):

Reply to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 12:36 PM

Jan 2018

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1095&pid=20841

Brainfodder

(7,181 posts)

10. Hard drive electronics have failed, it's toast.

Reply to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Jan 25, 2018, 11:54 PM

Jan 2018

The hard drives electronics have failed, the beeps, one saying hey I am here, and the 2nd saying goodbye in a row, (or connect/disconnect tones) that part is toast, even if you can get it apart, it's likely not worth the effort, it's likely NOT all normal hard drive parts the user can easily remove and as is you'll never see the drive contents let alone access them ever again as you have already proven with switching cables and PC.

Been there done that, just had to trash an internal 2TB hard drive that had the same issue, system wouldn't function right either if it was hooked up, was very bizarre, once removed, system back to normal.

I used external SATA to USB adaptor/power to test it on 3 different systems, all the same, no dice.

-B

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