I dropped a WD Easystore external hard drive while it was connected. Windows detects the drive, but it won't open or read any files. It spins up, the actuator arm clicks several times, and then the drive stops responding. Does this sound like damage that can be repaired manually, or is professional data recovery the only realistic option? I have an older backup from about a year ago, and I previously used OpenSuperClone to copy data from that backup to this drive, but I'd rather recover the newer files if possible. Would OpenSuperClone help with this kind of physical failure, or could repeated attempts make things worse?
3 Answers
Trying Linux or another operating system probably won’t help here. That can sometimes distinguish a Windows or file-system problem from a hardware problem, but the clicking and the fact that the drive stops indicate a mechanical failure rather than a simple mounting issue. Use the backup for recovery, and only connect the damaged drive if you’ve decided to accept the risk or have a recovery professional handle it.
A specialist data-recovery lab may be able to recover it by working on the drive in a clean environment and replacing damaged components, but this is very different from an ordinary repair shop. Costs can easily reach hundreds or several thousand dollars depending on the damage. If you pursue that route, choose a reputable lab with clear pricing and a no-data-no-fee policy, and stop powering the drive before sending it in.
The clicking after a drop strongly suggests physical damage, often involving the heads, actuator, or platters. Don’t keep plugging it in or repeatedly trying recovery software—if the heads are scraping or failing to initialize, each attempt can worsen the damage. OpenSuperClone is useful for drives with readable sectors and some bad sectors, but it can’t repair a mechanically damaged drive. Since you have a backup, restore from that and treat professional recovery as optional unless the missing files are worth a potentially large fee.
The most important step is not testing it again. A drive that clicks and then stops can deteriorate further if the heads are damaged, so software-based scans are not a safe first move.