my 1tb wd hard drive makes a clicking noise and does not show up on my computer how do i recover my files

[gogs25]

hard drive clicking

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, gogs25.

Sorry to hear about the problems you're experiencing with your HDD.

I'll assume you're talking about an internal HDD, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Have you checked if the drive is recognized in Device Manager or Disk Management? If "no", would you please check and post screenshots of what you see there about the HDD? Here's how to post a screenshot here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-2176231/guide-posting-screenshot-forum.html and here's how to open them:
How to access Disk Management in Windows to manage hard drives
How to access Device Manager in Windows.

I'd recommend that you try the HDD with a different SATA port and with different SATA cables, to see if the same thing happens. It would be even better if you could give it a try with a different computer as well, to see if the drive is properly recognized.
As for data recovery, you could give it a go with Ubuntu Live USB/DVD, to see if that OS is capable of accessing the HDD and if you can get to your files. Another option would be data recovery software: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/filerecovery/tp/free-file-recovery-programs.htm. And last, but not least (it's probably the most reliable option there is), you could try a data recovery company: WD Data Recovery Partners.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD

 

[DSzymborski]

EaseUs and Recuva are excellent software recovery programs, though how successful you'll be depends on the nature of the damage to the hard drive. If your PC can't read the hard drive, sometimes you'll have better luck with mounting it into an enclosure and connecting via USB (which allows you to try a few PCs). After that, specialized data recovery firms are your best option, though be forewarned they can go over $1000.

Generally speaking, the only good way to save data is to never risk it in the first place - a consistent backup plan for your important files is an important and basic part of PC ownership, like changing the oil in your car or the air filter in your furnace.

 

[gogs25]

Thanks for the help but gave up Hard drive now in the bin

 

[Boogieman_WD]

It's really unfortunate that everything went south. :\
However if your drive is still under warranty you should be able to RMA it by contacting the vendor you got it from (or the computer manufacturer if it's an OEM (it came with the computer) drive), or our customer support: WD Support Portal. Here's how to check your drive's warranty from our website: Warranty Status (note that if it's an OEM drive its warranty won't be covered by WD)

 

[jdlech]

Once you mentioned a "clicking sound", I suspected it was past any software recovery. There are recovery services you can send your hard drive to. But, naturally, they charge.
How much is that data worth to you?
Search "data recovery services".