Ext.HD failed

nichos · 4 Apr 2013

I purchase a few days ago this "WD Elements 1TB External Desktop Hard Drive USB 2.0 - Black " which worked & showed up in win explorer.

I backed up my two PCs with EaseUS backup program & the backup system files shawed in the Ext.HD.

Today Intended to recover one system on an empty HD but the EXT.HD does not shaw up in the win eplorer, nor in the EaseUS program.

How now can I get rid of the files in it before I return it to Amazon?

GrahamPearce · 7 Apr 2013

Given that you cannot read the disk, you probably can't write(erase) to it either.

Only option IMHO, is to attempt to put a new partition on it......and as you are using EaseUS for the backup, why not use their partition tool. It might work.

Once the new partition has been created format it, if this is not possible you have two options:

1. Take the risk of sending the disk with your data to Amazon (and then on to another nameless company to be fixed or possibly dumped on ebay), and then pray that it does not get repaired and some IT hack gains access to your data.

2. ....or take the loss on the chin, but keep your personal data intact.

I know which one I would choose....I'd keep my data.

One thing though, contact Amazon and explain your dilemma regards the data, they may have an answer that satisfies you.

Personally though, I'd attempt to fix the disk, or take to it with a large hammer, it may give you a few minutes of satisfaction. Oh, don't forget to video it and put it on YouTube.

Best of luck

xr4x4 · 7 Apr 2013

Have you checked the power supply?

Have you tried unplugging it and tried it in a new USB port?

If it where me and the data was important, I would remove the actual hard drive from the caddy and install directly inside the pc, it's unlikey to be the drive but the caddy itself.

GrahamPearce · 7 Apr 2013

I have one of these (well the usb 3.0 version), you cannot remove them from the case without damaging the case, it's a sealed unit.

BUT, if you wish to keep the disk and fit it in a PC, it's possible that the issue is caddy/usb related, hard disks are pretty reliable.

Try re-partioning it first, it may work, you can then overwrite any data.

best of luck

GrahamPearce · 7 Apr 2013

XR4x4

His concern is not lost data, he still has that on his PC, his concern is his personal data returning to Amazon on the 'currently' faulty disk, who knows where it will ultimately end up.

As you state, if someone was to remove it from the casing, it'll probably work.

Where does that leave him and his privacy?

Monkeh · 8 Apr 2013

Return it directly to WD, instead. They're not going to peek.

xr4x4 · 8 Apr 2013

Monkeh said:
Return it directly to WD, instead. They're not going to peek.

Indeed..

When I was in computers for 7 years I saw everything on people's computers, what the hell do I want with someone's vat returns or pictures of there dog..!

Monkeh · 8 Apr 2013

xr4x4 said:
Monkeh said:

Return it directly to WD, instead. They're not going to peek.

Click to expand...

Indeed..

When I was in computers for 7 years I saw everything on people's computers, what the hell do I want with someone's vat returns or pictures of there dog..!

Or evidence of their foot fetish.

*shudder*

GrahamPearce · 8 Apr 2013

"When I was in computers for 7 years I saw everything on people's computers, what the hell do I want with someone's vat returns or pictures of there dog..!"

You are making an assumption with regards to the contents of the disk.

If the disk contained pictures of his dog, I'd doubt he'd be concerned regards sending it back to Amazon.

xr4x4 · 8 Apr 2013

Monkeh said:
xr4x4 said:

Monkeh said:

Return it directly to WD, instead. They're not going to peek.

Click to expand...

Indeed..

When I was in computers for 7 years I saw everything on people's computers, what the hell do I want with someone's vat returns or pictures of there dog..!

Click to expand...

Or evidence of their foot fetish.

*shudder*

Seen worse, but that's my point.. I don't care.

Most people think there data is sensitive, yeah, to them maybe.

GrahamPearce · 8 Apr 2013

"Most people think there data is sensitive, yeah, to them maybe."

What we have here is a lack of respect for personal privacy!

Exactly the reasons I would NEVER return a hard disk after use.

...and, Yes I am an IT professional of over 30 years experience, not all IT staff are as flippant with regard to customers data.

xr4x4 · 8 Apr 2013

GrahamPearce said:
"Most people think there data is sensitive, yeah, to them maybe."

What we have here is a lack of respect for personal privacy!

Exactly the reasons I would NEVER return a hard disk after use.

...and, Yes I am an IT professional of over 30 years experience, not all IT staff are as flippant with regard to customers data.

Do you not know how to use the quote button, forget that,....I dont care.

Lack of respect? As you seem to making this personal....quite the opposite actually, as I decent IT guy you have to turn a blind eye to what you see.. It's part of the job..that's my opinion anyway.

Unless its kiddy flidders of course, then I had to report them.

GrahamPearce · 8 Apr 2013

No offence intended.......

I have of course had to turn a blind eye on occasions............

...and yes I was involved in reporting a member of staff (a social worker, no less) for having 'very inappropriate' material on his laptop.

He was found in his car two days later (in Epping Forest) with a hose from the exhaust. He was due in work later that day to be suspended by HR.

Needless to say it gave me a few sleepless nights, but I'd do it again, and did when a member of the IT team was found with similar material. A IT guy a few years from retirement who also worked as a scout leader. He was later prosecuted and served 6 months at her majesty's pleasure.

Both were collared shortly after the installation of auditing software, whats really surprising was that the IT guy knew that the auditing software had been installed.

priceless....

Ext.HD failed

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