Problem with my PHD
 

hello, my portable harddrive had recently stopped working. It wont show on my computer and when i plug it in it makes a clicking noise. Can anyone help me out?

It could be that it's not receiving enough power from the USB port. If your cable has two USB connectors, then plug them both in.

Either that, or the drive is dead.

ye, ive tried diferent usb ports. how can this be fixed? Everything is saved on this:(

Generally, clicking noises = a pretty bad outlook. You might have to bear with a loss.

Has the drive experienced any drops / bangs / knocks recently?

ye think my sister dropped it

Ph.D problem eh? Sue your university :D





(now, seriously) Clicking? Bad prognosis mate. It's dead, or is in the process of dying.

See if you can recover anything with SpinRite 5 (easily found on torrent directories :D). You may also want to consider booting from this little gem. Saved my butt once with an external 2.5" USB hard disk.

thanks, i'll try this

Um... where do I get SpinRite 5 from? I tried searching torrent sites, Sorry =D
Thanks for all your support and help,
~Vozzo

You tried searching torrent sites eh? :p

Ive tried little gem but it could not detect my PHD:(
oh...i have spinrite 6, i got it from torrent spy

If it is not detected by BIOS then it can't be detected by any operating system.

According to your description it doesn't seem to be an interface/controller-board problem - maybe you should try the freezer method. Put the drive into some plastic bag, tape around and put it into the freezer for some hours (half a day, so the drive is nearly the same temperature everywhere). Then everything has to go quick, drive out of the freezer, open bag, plug cable, boot up system (maybe drive is detected), get data from drive, shutdown (too long operating time can create condense water which shorts power).

Sometimes this extreme cooling down of the drive reduces mechanical problems (until the drive is back at normal temp) and you have a chance of getting the data. If this does not work, the the shock from dropping it has damaged the mechanical part so much that it won't start up. And if it starts up there is a good chance that you increase the mechanical damage even more.

vozzo, make sure the USB hard disk is attached and turned on before you boot from the modified UBCD disc, and select Norton Ghost with USB support.

If all else fails, and the data inside your hard disk is very important to you, consider eschewing the freezer method and send it off to a professional recovery company. Do note that they will charge a pretty penny - hence resort to this only if the contents are very important!

thanks guys,i was going 2 bring it in2 the shop but i mite try the freezer method 1st

Thanks again

when ghosting how long does "A:/GHOST>" normaly show?

If u havent realised im a n00b at this kinda stuff

Actually, booting from that customized UBCD and activating the Norton Ghost option should bring you to a graphical user interface, not a command prompt. The only prompt is whether you wish to use USB2 or not.

From what I've noticed, Norton doesn't like SATA2 drives, so make sure you have any of those disconnected.