I'm feeling really down right now, so I wanted to share this and hopefully get some advice before I try to sleep. I recently built my M-ATX PC, moving over everything from my old setup except the motherboard and PSU. This included a WD Blue HDD that I've had since 2018, which contains a lot of personal files I really value.
I switched from a B650 to a TUF GAMING B850M-PLUS WIFI motherboard, both from ASUS, and I'm using an RM850e power supply. At first, I was able to access the hard drive, but after a few hours, I noticed it disappeared from my drives while I was trying to download something. I've already tried changing the SATA ports and cables on the motherboard, and while my SATA SSD is still being detected, the HDD isn't showing up.
Is there any way to tell if the drive is actually dead? I was considering trying a different set of SATA power cables, though I'm skeptical that will help. Is there any hope for recovering my files? I was even planning to buy new drives during Black Friday to back everything up. I'm just really upset about this and could use some help.
3 Answers
You might want to look into USB enclosures to check the drive. They can often be more reliable than using SATA ports directly.
Considering an HDD's lifespan is typically around 7-8 years, it's possible your drive might be at its end. If switching the cables doesn’t help, you could also test the drive in another PC. If the data is crucial, think about reaching out to a data recovery service, but be aware that it can be quite pricey, often over $1,000.
Wow, can’t believe 2018 was that long ago already.
I really feel for you; it’s tough when something like this happens.
If the SATA power cables you're using didn’t come with your power supply, it might actually damage the drive because modular cables can be brand-specific. Have you heard the drive spin up when you connect the power? That could be a clue.
I used the cables that came with the PSU, so that shouldn’t be an issue. But no, I don't hear it spinning up.
Do you have any specific brands you'd recommend, or would pretty much any enclosure work?