Opening External Hard Drive

[Virtualmonger]

My hard drive failed, and I asked how to repair it, because I can't even format it in CMD or even in Device Manager. I was told to open my hard drive and connect it directly to my computer, but I can't seem to see any screws or openings in my hard drive. Do you know how to open a hard drive that looks like this? And how can I connect it 'directly' to my computer?http://

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

If the actual hard drive inside the enclosure has failed there is no way to fix it.

But if the hard drive is okay and only the bridge chip PCP is faulty, the usual fix is to buy a third-party enclosure for it.

There are no screws, the enclosure has to be forced open carefully around the seam on the underside, it's held together by concealed clips all the way round.

 

[Virtualmonger]

Sorry if I have so many questions, this is just because I am not very good in hardware terms.

What is bridge chip PCP and an enclosure? What tool can I use for opening up my hard drive? I am too afraid I might break the clips 😛

Edit: BTW, my hard drive is external hard drive. IDK, I just felt like telling, there might be a difference

 

[USAFRet]

Sorry if I have so many questions, this is just because I am not very good in hardware terms.

What is bridge chip PCP and an enclosure? What tool can I use for opening up my hard drive? I am too afraid I might break the clips 😛

Yes, you will probably break the clips taking it apart. I had to do exactly the same not too long ago. What I thought was a dying drive or bad enclosure.
The case was destroyed in taking it apart, but the actual drive was fine. Still using it today as a regular internal drive.

A slim screwdriver, prying apart one of the seams in the case.

 

[Virtualmonger]

Wait, I partially opened it without breaking the clip. I just discovered that the small ticking sound in my drive was in fact a screw inside. Is that a better news or a very bad one?

 

[USAFRet]

Probably good news. But where did that screw actually come from?

 

[Virtualmonger]

No idea actually. Tomorrow, I am going to see someone IRL to see my hard drive