Getting data off ex hard drive

Hi,

I've got a 500GB external USB hard drive. It was working this morning, but whilst copying some files off it, it stopped transferring and now wont work at all.

When I connect it to my PC it says it needs to be formatted before it can be used. Before I do that, is there any way of recovering the data off it? Its not the end of the world if I can't but before I format it I thought it was worth asking!!

Cheers!

 

Depends what is actually faulty, interface or drive.

Then I had same problem dismantled case and removed drive. Used stand alone interface that connects to IDE or SATA drives and connects to USB port on computer.

All data transferred no problem. Maybe I was lucky interface was faulty but worth a try.

 

Something like the following :-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FDLCTQO?psc=1#productDetails
Or
http://tinyurl.com/nmphdq8

I have both types, not the same make as above, both USB2, prefer USB3 (backward compatible) today, both work well I think the first could be seen as not conducive to any forcing, do not expect much in the way of instructions - Maybe someone else will suggest a named product which combines low cost and fair quality...

BTW At least the second mentioned type also works with internal CD DVD read writers and a floppy disk drive all remnants from from PCs past !

Anyhow you now have a reasonable idea what to be looking for... If amazon, peek at the customer reviews - some are very useful.

-0-

 

This is the one I have. Gets very little use but handy as insurance if, or when, problems occur.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bipra-SATA-...apter+for+2.5/3.5/5.25+inch+SATA+or+IDE+Drive