WD elements fatal hardware error

[has246]

Greetings.
I have a WD elements 2.5 1TB. I used it to backup my data before a format and I can't access it now. It's almost new. In the start it showed when I connect it but I couldn't open it. I tried to use the WD diagnostic tool and it stops at 97% because of connection reset. Now It doesn't show up in disk manager but can see it in devices window. It stays like 1 minute and then reset the connection.
My question is should I try to replace the pcb because taking it to a shop will cost a lot. What are the other options.
Thanks

 

[D_Know_WD]

Hi there has246,

Sorry that you are facing some issues with your WD drive. 🙁

So the drive doesn't show up under Disk Management, right? If this is the case, I doubt that you will be able to access it with software tools. Yet, you can try using some data recovery tool and see if the drive will be picked by it: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1644496/lost-data-recovery.html
Apart from that, it would be nice if you can try the drive using a different USB cable and different USB port. You can even attach it to another system.

If nothing works and the data stored on the drive is crucial, I would advise you to contact a data recovery company. You can check WD's Data Recovery Partners out: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=PfMv72
On the other hand, you can just RMA the drive. In that case, you will not get your data though. You can either contact the place you got it from or WD's Support: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=KZsuSw

Replacing the PCB is not recommended, it will most probably not work and will void the warranty. Also, we can't really know if this is causing the problem.

Let me know in case you have some more questions,
D_Know_WD

 

[has246]

Hi there has246,

Sorry that you are facing some issues with your WD drive. 🙁

So the drive doesn't show up under Disk Management, right? If this is the case, I doubt that you will be able to access it with software tools. Yet, you can try using some data recovery tool and see if the drive will be picked by it: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1644496/lost-data-recovery.html
Apart from that, it would be nice if you can try the drive using a different USB cable and different USB port. You can even attach it to another system.

If nothing works and the data stored on the drive is crucial, I would advise you to contact a data recovery company. You can check WD's Data Recovery Partners out: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=PfMv72
On the other hand, you can just RMA the drive. In that case, you will not get your data though. You can either contact the place you got it from or WD's Support: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=KZsuSw

Replacing the PCB is not recommended, it will most probably not work and will void the warranty. Also, we can't really know if this is causing the problem.

Let me know in case you have some more questions,
D_Know_WD

Thank you for your reply.
I tried the 3 softwares but it can't detect the hdd. I tried many cables and different computers but still the same.

The problem is that the data recovery companies are asking for something between 600-900 euros which is way too much especially for a hard drive that costs 55 euros.
I really dont mind voiding the warranty if it will save me from paying this amount. Can you please tell me what are the ways to check if the problem is from the pcb. The windows keeps disconnecting the hdd every 1 or 2 minutes and then it reconnects.

Thanks in advance.

 

[D_Know_WD]

Yeah, generally the data recovery services are pricey. 🙁
You can't be sure. It seems like this is some kind of an enclosure related issue though.
So the drive disconnects no matter what you do right?(staying idle or accessing it)

As you have a couple of minutes before this disconnection, I believe you can try transferring at least some of the data. You can try some thirt party data transfer/copy tool.

D_Know_WD

 

[has246]

Yeah, generally the data recovery services are pricey. 🙁
You can't be sure. It seems like this is some kind of an enclosure related issue though.
So the drive disconnects no matter what you do right?(staying idle or accessing it)

As you have a couple of minutes before this disconnection, I believe you can try transferring at least some of the data. You can try some thirt party data transfer/copy tool.

D_Know_WD

Thanks again for your answer. The driver doesn't show up at all in disk manager. But I can see it in devices and printers and it's recognized as a hdd. It disconnects by playing the windows sound and disappearing from devices and appearing again after 10 secs.that's why I can't access any of the data at all.
Thanks

 

[has246]

I'm sorry to re bring this thread. But my PhD work is in that damned hdd.
Any help will be super appreciated.
Thanks

 

[D_Know_WD]

That is really unpleasant. 🙁
It seems that you will not be able to access with software tools. There's nothing much you can do.
As the data is really important, my suggestion would be contact a data recovery company or some kind of a repair shop(even though I'm not sure if this will help).

D_Know_WD