External HDD not working, hoping to save files

Hello there

To preface:

I have a Western Digital MyBook Essential 1 TB HDD, which used to have a bit of trouble connecting, but until recently won't connect at all. When I plug it in, the lights flash a little (indicating power to the drive), and then off. My computer says "Windows doesn't recognize this device" (or something like that) and it doesn't appear in My Computer at all. I tried another USB cable and the same thing happens.

Now, Western Digital is sending me a new HDD and allowing me to send my malfunctioning one back after I receive the new one. I am hoping to save my files while I am in possession of both.

What I think might be occurring is a malfunction in the casing of the hard drive. All I have available to me at the moment are USB ports but in 2 weeks when I go home I should have a properly working PC to play around with if that makes a difference.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I might be able to salvage my files? Thank you in advance.

 

if the enclosure is in fact what is malufunctioning then the only way to get to the files is to open up the enclosure and get the hdd out and plug that straight into you pc. if your pc sees the hdd just copy all the files over to your pc's hdd.

 

If pc doesn't see it by direct connection that pretty much is it,no doubt about it,it totally sux when drives fail i've been there done that only advice i can give from this point get another external asap so you have two would help also to keep some stuff on the pc at home if it has a bit of spare space

 

This would void the WD warranty that he is depending on to replace the drive. Catch 22.

Dick

 

Not necessarily the OP does have options & more importantly the right to attempt data retrieval,obviously getting permission would be best failing that contacting local wd warranty agent & getting that person to help out by either checking whether it is faulty by attempting to hook it up or once seen as not working they could easily give permission themselves or remove the drive for the OP,either way the new drive is on it's way

 

...which WD could charge him for if he returns a drive that has been removed from the factory cabinet.

My suggestion is that if he is going to remove the drive, that he do so neatly (those cabinets can be challenging to open without leaving obvious tool marks) and then cleanly remount the drive in the cabinet before he returns it.

Dick