Hey everyone! I'm not super tech-savvy, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to recover files from my damaged external hard drive. I have an older WD 1TB MyPassport Ultra, and it contained a lot of rare music and movies. Unfortunately, I dropped it, and now it's hit or miss when I connect it to my laptop. Sometimes I can see the files, but it usually freezes after a minute or so. I've tried copying files directly to my OneDrive, but that often leads to freezing as well. I've replaced the cable and used different ports, so I think the damage is likely internal. What are my best options for getting the files onto my OneDrive? Is any repair feasible? Should I try cloning the drive? Are the files even salvageable?
4 Answers
You could also look into transferring your files to an M.2 NVMe SSD for faster access! Grab a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD along with a USB-C enclosure and a quick cable. That might speed things up while minimizing stress on the damaged drive.
Repairs are costly and don’t guarantee full recovery. Opening the drive can introduce dust and further damage sensitive components. If you’re getting some files out already, it makes more sense to back up what you can quickly without stressing it too much.
That’s true! I realized that copying files can still work if I’m quick about it. I just wish there was an easier way to grab the rest without risking damage.
First, consider how precious the files are to you. Typically, repair costs can run into the thousands, so weigh whether that's worthwhile. If you want to try recovering files, you might use a tool like robocopy for a safer transfer, but keep in mind pushing it too hard might worsen the damage.
Thanks for the heads-up! I didn’t realize repairs would be that pricey. I guess I have to accept that it might be done for. I just hoped there was a way to salvage something.
Make sure to prioritize the most important files first! If you can retrieve them before the drive completely fails, that’s a win.
I’ll definitely check that out! Thanks for the suggestion!