I dropped a WD EasyStore external hard drive, and now Windows detects it but cannot read or mount it. The drive spins up, the actuator makes a few clicking sounds, and then it stops responding. Is this likely something that can be repaired manually, or is the drive suffering physical damage? I have an older backup from about a year ago, and I previously used OpenSuperClone to copy that backup onto this drive, but I'd prefer to recover the newer data if possible. Would OpenSuperClone help, or should I take another approach?
3 Answers
A Linux boot environment or another cloning tool might help with file-system or USB-interface problems, but this does not sound like a simple software issue. If the drive clicks and then stops after being dropped, software scans are more likely to waste time than solve it. Restore the older backup to a new drive and only pursue professional recovery if the missing data justifies the expense.
The clicking after a drop strongly suggests physical damage, such as damaged heads, alignment problems, or platter damage. OpenSuperClone is useful for imaging a drive that is still mechanically functional, but it cannot repair failed hardware. Repeatedly powering the drive on can make the damage worse, so stop testing it. If the data is important, contact a reputable professional recovery lab and ask about pricing and evaluation. Since you have a usable backup, paying for recovery may not be worthwhile unless the newer files are especially valuable.
Don’t open the drive yourself or swap parts unless you have proper clean-room equipment and donor-drive experience. A professional lab may be able to replace damaged heads or otherwise recover the platters, but this can easily cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Check that the company has a real facility, clear pricing, and a no-recovery/no-fee policy rather than sending it to an unverified repair service.
That makes sense. I’ll stop plugging it in and use the older backup rather than risk making the damaged drive worse.