Solution to recover data from external hard drive

[KH Loh]

I'm having a WD passport external harddisk. Once connected with my laptop, it took quite a while for the laptop to recognise it's existence. But when I clicked to access the HD (data), it took forever and then "hung" my whole system. Cannot eject too.

Can somebody help?

Thanks

 

[D_Know_WD]

Hi there KH Loh,

You can try connecting the drive with another USB cable to another port. If it is not a connection issue and the problem persists, I would advise you to run the WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostics tool and check out the HDDs health.
Another thing you can try is to run chkdsk (drive letter): /F in the Command Prompt in case some file system error is causing this.

WD DLG tool: http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=810&lang=en

Hope this will help
D_Know_WD

 

[fzabkar]

If your laptop can detect the drive, run CrystalDiskInfo against it. Look for reallocated, pending, or uncorrectable sectors.

ISTM that your drive may be affected by the well known "slow responding" issue that affects WD drives with head/media problems. Depending on your level of expertise, the solution, including reprogramming of a compatible SATA PCB, should cost no more than US$60. If you wish to attempt this procedure, let me know.