Dropped External HDD

[borsand]

I think one of my roommates dropped my External HDD while I was gone. Now it will not power up or anything. Does anyone know a local place that will take a look at it? (And not charge me too much $$$)

All I really care about is getting the information that is on the HDD, I would like the HDD to work again, but that is not the main issue here.

The HDD is a Maxtor 160 gb with both firewire and usb.

Thanks,

Alex Borsand

[jharriso]

You should call 626-TECH and make an appointment to see if they can do anything for you. If it turns out they can't do that for you, I can see what I can do. I work Monday 4:30-9:00, and Wednesday Friday from 3:00-9:00 in the Multimedia Zone down in the ILC. We're the ones with all the dual monitor computers by the Info Commons help desk.
If I'm the one working on it, I'd probably take the drive out of the case, so if that's something you don't want to do, well.. yeah.
If you want to have some place non UA based look at it, I would either try SWS, or CompUSA. I don't know for sure if either of them would be set up to help you, but they're the ones that come to mind.

[abudhu]

Hello:

I am willing to bet that the Drive is A-Ok. I'd guess the problem is a broken circuit board. Which is the little device inside that allows data to be changed from IDE format to USB/Firewire.

If the warrenty is long over you can open up the case, remove the drive itself insert it into your computer (like a normal hd) and see it the os sees it. If so you can go buy yourself an External Enclosure which run about 50-100Dollars.

Unless Store-bought Externals are made differently that what I have described...I wouldn't think so though.

[dparm]

We have a spare IDE->USB 3.5" case down here in the OSCR Underground. Call 626-TECH to set up an appointment.

[powellm]

We have a spare IDE->USB 3.5" case down here in the OSCR Underground. Call 626-TECH to set up an appointment.


Actually, I'm afraid that we can't take apart the hard drive for you. However, if you brought us just the internal drive we would be happy to try and help you recover your data. That being said, I would encourage you not to take apart your drive unless you've exhausted all other options and are absolutely sure of what you're doing.

[abudhu]

Just don't break the ribbon cable if you decide to open it!

[dparm]

Just don't break the ribbon cable if you decide to open it!

*sheepishly lowers head for having done it before*

(fortunately you can just buy a short IDE cable and stick it in)

[drichard]

HEHE... I've done that too! OOPS!

[abudhu]

Its ok the ribbion cables are so flimsy! You'd think they could at least put a thin protective layer around the thing.

[jharriso]

I did it once on a laptop monitor. Put a screwdriver through the thing. :(