[GregDrysdale]

Hi
I have a Seagate 2TB external hard drive which is only allowing me limited access time. I have about a minute to browse through the files and even copy some to my laptop but after this period it doesn't allow me to do anymore and just hangs. I have to unplug it from the mains to clear all its windows. I can plug it back in and go through the same process but each time my access is only limited. I can't find information to my particular problem anywhere and hoping somebody here can help. It's a new HD, only bought last year however, I did drop it once from a few feet before having this problem but do not know if this would have any bearing on the particular issue. I also accidentally and without realising used the power supply for my Maxtor HD although it did work but whether this would have an adverse effect, I hope you can tell me. I've only used a fraction of the size of the HD but it contains lots of important photos and videos etc and would really like to know what this problem is and if it can be corrected long enough for me to get all my files off and on to a new HD. I will be quite happy to bin it after that. The important thing is to get my files off and stored safely elsewhere. Or will I need to call on recovery services which as you know are expensive. Many thanks in advance and I'd be very happy to supply further information if you need it. I'm just grateful of your help and if it works with your advice I'll happily donate to your choice of charity. Thank you. Greg

[LincolnSpector]

Hi, Greg, and welcome to the forums.

Is there anything on this drive that you do not have on any other media? If so, copy it onto another drive ASAP. I realize that will be time-consuming, being able to read the drive for a minute at a time, but it will be time well-spent. The drive is pretty much worthless, and you're in danger of losing something far more precious: The data on it.

Lincoln

[GregDrysdale]

First of all thank you for taking the time to reply Lincoln. I was wondering if this would be my only course of action however I am worried that having to unplug the power so many times to regain acces would damage the drive further. Do you think it would be ok?
I'm only able to copy files and not folders as such, for example, I can open a folder of photos and copy them over but copying the actual folders doesn't work. I really do want to rescue all this stuff but there are several GB's of it. Thanks, Greg

[GregDrysdale]

Also, in this situation, would it be possible to ghost or image the drive? Thank you. G

[LiveBrianD]

It might be the actual hard drive, as lincoln said (and I think this very well might be the case, given that you dropped it). OR, it could be the hard drive enclosure. I have seen a few of those fail, and in every case the actual hard drive was fine. Remove the hard drive, and install it in a desktop computer. Can you read the files from it?

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 16 April 2012 - 02:55 PM

[GregDrysdale]

Hi LiveBrianD. Thank you for posting. The HD I have is this one: http://www.maplin.co...op-drive-264482
I'm not sure how to open it though as there are no screws. I guess it will need prised. I don't care about the HD, just the stuff on it. Thanks. Greg

[LincolnSpector]

Judging from your description of the problem, I suspect that the platters themselves haven't been harmed. If I'm right, the files can be recovered, although it may not be easy.

Brian's suggestion of removing the drive from the case is a good one, if you can figure out how.

You may have to send the drive to a data recovery service such as Ontrack or Disk Savers. They're expensive, but they'll probably be able to recover the files. I can't recommend a particular service, as I've never used one nor figured out a reliable way to test them.

As a general rule, if you don't want to lose a file, you should never have it on only a single piece of media.

Lincoln

[LiveBrianD]

I suspect your drive is like my WD Elements - you have to use a flathead screw driver in the right places to open it because there are no screws (and it's a bit of a pain to get it back together, though you have no reason to do that if something's failing obviously). Take a look at this: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Y2vUMO2mGLE

[GregDrysdale]

Thanks guys. Interestingly I found another video from a guy who doesn't think much of these HD's to say the least and I'm going to try what he's done with my PC tower, hopefully tomorrow. I'll be ecstatic if I can get all my info off safely on to another drive. I know you'll be hanging on to your seats so I'll keep you posted!
Cheers, Greg