Enclosure seems dead, HDD is working but Windows can't read the files.

[shadowz01]

My external drive is
Seagate Expansion 4TB, Model: SRD00F2

What happened:
Started two days ago... the drive kept disconnecting, moving the usb cable could reconnect the drive, but earlier today it kept reconnecting itself and later on it stopped working. Drive doesn't light up and doesn't spin.

I opened it up and took the HDD out to connect it directly to the motherboard... I noticed windows could see the disk, but the partition wasn't right. It should to be only one partition with 4TB, and used about 2TB, but It says RAW, and have three partitions: 4XX GB free, 1xxxx GB unallocated space, and another 1xxxx GB unallocated space.

I tried to reconnect it back to the enclosure to give it one last try, luckily I was able to access my HDD and made sure my files were all there, but unfortunate the disk got disconnected again and now I'm not able to get back into it. Plugged it back to the motherboard again and it shows the disk as RAW and have three partitions again...

Just wondering if I buy an USB HDD Docking Station will it work? Or maybe I will just buy another same model and use that enclosure to get my files back? Thanks.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Welcome to the community, shadowz01!

I'd recommend you to try using a different USB cable with the external drive instead of taking it out of the enclosure altogether. Unfortunately, this most probably has voided the warranty on it, so you won't be able to RMA it. Enclosures tend to be configured differently and some models even incorporate a hardware encryption which would not let you access the data without the original manufacturer's enclosure. I'd not rush into buying a new one just yet, though. I'd start by using the HDD manufacturer's or a third-party diagnostic tool to test its health and check up on the SMART status before. You should also consider the assistance of a professional data recovery company, instead of attempting any data recovery by yourself.

Keep me posted with the troubleshooting, though.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[shadowz01]

Thanks for the reply.
I did test wiith different USB Cables.
Anyway, the drive itself is fine, and I could get the files back by using TestDisk. I'm pretty sure it's the enclosure's problem.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there again, shadowz01!

I'd recommend you get in touch with the HDD manufacturer's customer support and find out whether or not the external is still under warranty. If it is, you should definitely consider using their assistance and RMA-ing the product. I'd suggest you check the specs of the external HDD and make sure that it doesn't incorporate any hardware encryption. If the enclosure has failed and you take the HDD out, you won't only void the warranty (if it's still covered) but also make your data inaccessible without the original enclosure.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD