wd hdd not recognised

[SignorSilvestro]

hello world, from sunny London.
I am trying to recover the data on my WD Elements SE external drive.
It stopped working a few months after buying it (around 10 years ago).
customer service at WD were very useless and therefore I have decided to ask here.
my pc doesn't read the device, (light is on and very quite)
in Disk Management I can see it as Disk1 but it is Unknown, Not initialized, Unallocated.
From other sources I have learned how to overwrite The “the media is write protect” message I receive when i try to Initialize it.
I have followed the command to select Disk one and “clear readonly” but only to Fail.
Unfortunately I could not complete this as there seem a problem.
here is a transcript of my last command in CMD mode

DISKPART> attribute disk
Current Read-only State : No
Read-only : No
Boot disk : No
Pagefile Disk : No
Hibernation File Disk : No
Crashdump Disk : No
Clustered Disk :No

I dont want format the drive as I have important pics and files.

PLEASE HELP!
SignorSilvestro

 

[samuria]

Welcome to the forum. There is a chance the drive is ok but the interface is the problem take it out and connect direct to the pc some WD encrypted the pc if its one of those it wont work

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Hello and thanks for your prompt reply.
I have tried to open this drive from several PC and Laptops but have the same issue.
SignorSilvestro

 

[samuria]

If its not seen in BIOS it's dead you could download from wd site their test software to confirm

 

[SignorSilvestro]

I can see it in DiskManagement and Diskpart but cannot initialize it as is write protected (but is not). Thanks, i'll try to download the file you suggested from WD

 

[Marie SWE]

Is it possible that you misunderstood the samuria? I think he meant that you should disassemble and remove the hard drive that is inside the external hard drive chassis and then direct connect sata cables from the drive directly to the motherboard on a desktop computer or try it in a new external case

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Ah ok, i see.
I just need to find a video or some instructions on how to do that. Thanks
SignorSilvestro

 

[SIW2]

What is the exact name of the wd enclosure? Is it just WD Elements SE ?

WD Elements SE 500GB USB 3.0 Hard Drive Disassembly - YouTube

How to Open a Western Digital Elements External Hard Drive Enclosure - YouTube

 

[SignorSilvestro]

How to Open a Western Digital Elements External Hard Drive Enclosure - YouTube
Thanks, this is exactly my model but I dont know what to do after this part. Connecting via SATA cable seems to be a bit complicated.
Thanks
SignorSilvestro

 

[SIW2]

After detaching the logic board the disk should have the usual power and sata connectors.

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Ok. It seems quite straight forward.

 

[SIW2]

Similar to this:

Western Digital My Book Essential 2TB - Removing The SATA Drive For My Unraid Server - YouTube

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Ok, actually this is easier than I thought, thank you.
My problem is that I have only 2 SATA cables, p9 and p10 both compatible. Unfortunately when I connect P9 power (and the data) cable to WD I hear a noise coming from inside the pc (not the WD HDD) it feels like something tightens up. I can see 2 extra Sata plugs on the Mobo but not sure where to get power from. (Power supply only has 2 and plenty of "molex" plug).
Thanks
SignorSilvestro

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Connecting to my previous post, i bought a molex to Sata adapter and a spare Sata cable.
Until i receive them..
Thank you.

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Hello, I have just received the parts mentioned above.
Unfortunately my SATA port on the Mobo has 2 connectors missing. (see img). I have 4 SATA ports but cannot connect to 2 of them. Shall i buy an adaptor (whats the name?) or it should work if I plug into any of the 2 already in use?
Thanks a lot
SignorSilvestro

 

[Brds7t7]

If you have no way of plugging it into the motherboard, you could try a SATA to USB Cable:

StarTech.com SATA to USB Cable - USB 3.0 to 2.5” SATA: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

There might be some cheaper ones, but I've always had good luck with Startech products.

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Ok, I was thinking of sourcing one of these things in blue or yellow (as on the mobo)
Next week ill be receiving a new pc, hopefully i can connect it there.
Thanks
SignorSilvestro

 

[Brds7t7]

Ok, I was thinking of sourcing one of these in blue or yellow.
Next week ill be receiving a new pc, hopefully i can connect it there.
Thanks
SignorSilvestro

Hopefully you're able to get your data back. I've had a couple of 2.5" External HDD's just refuse to work after a while, but it's not actually the drive, it's just the crappy connectors they use that seem to break.

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Thanks, finger crossed.

 

[SignorSilvestro]

Bad news,
After installing a new pc (gamer) i connected one of the SATA cable and power connection but nothing comes up.
I hear it running but it doesnt appear.
I took a step back and reassembled it with USB, it reads it but as previously cant initialize it and cant clear readonly.
Any suggestions?
Thanks