External WD 2TB Hard Drive Problem (corrupted)

[sgn15]

Good day friends, I have encountered a problem with my WD My Passport 2TB 0748 external HDD. I last used/connected it to a computer about 2 months ago and it was perfectly fine. 2 days ago, I connected it and I can't access it anymore.

In My Computer in Windows 7 (or This PC in Windows 10):
It lists it as Local Disk G: (but it doesn't show the bytes used and bytes free)


In device manager:
there is a yellow exclamation point on the name of this HDD under both portable devices and disk drives.

In Disk Management:
It lists the volume as 2TB but doesn't list whether how much is being used and how much space is free

Other symptoms:
- I can't seem to open some apps when I connect this HDD to the computer but they will literally open up the second I plug out the HDD
- I also can't get the "remove safely" message to work so I plug the HDD out now


I tried this HDD in 2 computers (1 windows 10 and 1 windows 7) and all symptoms are the same.

Is there a way to recover all of my files? or at least as much as possible of my files?

EDIT:
I saw this thread and I have the same problem (and exact same 0748 model of hdd)
http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware...ive-detected-but-does-not-show-up-folder.html

But I don't have any virtual cd drive and I already uninstalled Itunes and the problem still persists. I also tried installing the SES driver like that user but same problem still.

I am not very familiar with extremely technical terms related to software/computers, so I apologize in advance.

Please help. Thanks.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I found this on a review at Newegg from the manufacture possibly it might help
How to test a drive for problems using Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows | WD Support

Another one suggested to replace the usb cable ?

I'll assume you used this device with win-10
Did you remember to use safe to remove on it before disconnecting it ?

How to get an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) or replace a defective product under warranty How to get an RMA to replace a defective product, or obtain a power supply or USB cable for a WD product | WD Support

If you require additional support setting up the RMA or with the unit, you may contact us at 1 (800) 275-4932, or via our support website at: Email Support

 

[sgn15]

Hi, I tried changing the usb cable but same problem still persists.

It seems the external HDD is acting up worse. It doesn't immediately get recognized (in My Computer/This PC, or in Device Manager or Disk Management), despite the light already lighting up on the HDD itself.

When I try to run the WD DLDiag, it functions like the other programs I mentioned in first post, they don't open when my HDD is connected to the computer but as soon as I unplug the HDD, they open up. (I'm not really sure what this problem's source is).

The program can be opened before I plug the HDD into pc but it hangs as soon as I plug the HDD.

.... So I can't/haven't been able to test my HDD using WD DLDiag so far, but I am still trying

EDIT:
Oh I forgot to add to the first post that the windows 7 computer never had ITunes or any virtual cd software installed, but the HDD also doesn't work with that computer.

 

[ThrashZone]

I would contact WD and at least make the inquiry with them and get the process moving they may have recovery tools
So it might be best to stop using the device until they advise ?

 

[sgn15]

When I bought this HDD, it had a 1 year warranty and it is already past 12 months since I bought it. Will they still do something about this?

 

[ThrashZone]

On Newegg it said the manufacture offers a 2 year on this device :/

 

[sgn15]

I just tried this http://www.sevenforums.com/software/198909-lucid-puppy-way-recover-files-non-bootable-computer.html and the mount window hangs when I plug the WD 2TB ext HDD into the computer

So is it a hardware problem?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Sounds like it

 

[CKWD]

Hello sgn15!

I'm sorry to hear you're having this issue! :/

If you've tried your WD My Passport with another cables, on another PC, on all ports, including while booted to a Live Linux CD, and you are still having issues, I'm afraid it's a hardware damage which you on your own cannot bypass. :/

You should check here if your external is still under warranty, to be absolutely sure:
Support Answers

You could also contact WD Live Warranty Support for assistance:
Support Answers

If you have data on the drive you need you could look into the options of professional data recovery help:
Support Answers

Best of luck!

CK_WD

 

[maxseven]

It seems likely that the HDD inside is bad, but another idea is to extricate the drive from the housing and connect it directly i.e. using SATA and not the USB converter in the Passport. Just in case these electronics are faulty.

 

[jumanji]

@maxseven, that won't work rather it can't be made to work.

a. WD My Passport is hardware encrypted and decrypted by the electronics inside the enclosure. If the drive is taken out and tried and assuming that the HDD itself is OK, what all you will get is the encrypted data which will be absolutely useless garbage.

b. In most of the WD external drives the SATA to USB bridge ( that incidentally includes the encryption and decryption chip) is integrated with the hard drive and hence the HDD itself may be inseperable.They are bonded together, live together and die together - as for as the user is concerned. .

In case of failure of the electronics inside the enclosure, only WD authorised - patronised - data recovery partners can recover the data since only they have the knowhow to decrypt.

In case the electronics has not failed, then any data recovery attempt has to be made without separating the electronics from the drive to be able to get the decrypted data.

 

[maxseven]

@maxseven, that won't work rather it can't be made to work.

a. WD My Passport is hardware encrypted and decrypted by the electronics inside the enclosure. If the drive is taken out and tried and assuming that the HDD itself is OK, what all you will get is the encrypted data which will be absolutely useless garbage.

b. In most of the WD external drives the SATA to USB bridge ( that incidentally includes the encryption and decryption chip) is integrated with the hard drive and hence the HDD itself may be inseperable.They are bonded together, live together and die together - as for as the user is concerned. .

In case of failure of the electronics inside the enclosure, only WD authorised - patronised - data recovery agencies can recover the data since only they have the knowhow to decrypt.

In case the electronics has not failed, then any data recovery attempt has to be made without separating the electronics from the drive to be able to get the decrypted data.

I didn't know any of that about the WD Passport; hopefully the OP knows this too, or sees your post before tearing the thing apart.

If it's anything like some of the products I have, it's next to impossible to disassemble them without breaking something. Why oh why do mfrs do this to us...

 

[sgn15]

The symptoms changed:

In device manager:
still seeing it under Disk Drives

In Disk Management:
I can see the disk now but it says it is uninitiated
- tried initiating it but it says fatal hardware error

In My Computer/This PC
I cannot see it anymore (it used to show Disk G with no volume or no bytes used/free)

Any ideas?

 

[sgn15]

Urgent:
I try different data recovery softwares on my hard drive and they all scan for a maximum of 2 secs and they show no files searched/found and my external HDD is listed as o bytes and start sector is 0 (I forgot but it wasn't 0 before or it shouldn't be 0). Is this raw or what issue?

EDIT:
I am not a techy guy but from what I have searched. The Master Boot Record somehow got ruined on this already corrupted hard drive? That's why the symptoms changed and (I think) it got worse?


It somehow retained the hanging the other programs symptom and can't even run TestDisk (it is stuck forever at Please wait after I select create a log)

Any ideas please?

 

[maxseven]

I try different data recovery softwares on my hard drive and they all scan for a maximum of 2 secs and they show no files searched/found and my external HDD is listed as o bytes

Your drive has failed and the recovery software can't even see the data on the drive.

Your only recourse to possibly recover any data at this point might be one of the specialty data recovery services.

 

[CKWD]

it says fatal hardware error

they all scan for a maximum of 2 secs and they show no files searched/found and my external HDD is listed as o bytes and start sector is 0

Your external drive has been damaged too severely and trying data recovery software on it on your own could potentially make it completely unresponsive, due to the degree of damage it has endured.

Safest route would be to use professional data recovery help and/or check the drive for RMA. I have pasted some links in my first post, I hope they can help, here they are:

WD data recovery partners:
Support Answers

WD Warranty check:
Support Answers

WD Warranty Policy:
Support Answers

Best of luck!

CK_WD