HDD Dead??

how will I know if my External 2.5'' HDD has died or is it just something else not related to HDD mechanism.
When I plug it in USB it starts spinning with no strange sounds, at least not loud, and it tries to connect like that for three times(exacly 3 times every time) and then it stops and the LED turns off. After that I can see a Safely Remove icon in the tray, but not before that, but also nothing to remove when I click on it.
In the Device Manager under USB Controlers I can see USB Mass Storage Device but it is with a yellow question mark. And it shouldn't be there at all, it should be under disk drives.
The drive is some Toshiba in some unknown enclosure. I have another one, also external, can switch the drives just to see if it is the HDD and to try to save any data?
Please help.
Thanks

 

I wonder if it is not getting enough power for the HDD to spin up properly but the computer is seeing the controller in the enclosure. I've had this happen several times.

To verify that it is OK try connecting the unit to a desktop (they usually have extra power in the USB ports) or, if the enclosure has a power socket, connect that to a power supply or second USB port. There are also cables with one connector for the enclosure but two plugs for USB ports.

The underlying problem is that USB ports are officially rated as 500mA current (=2.5W at 5W) and many 2.5" HDDs need a little more than 2.5W as startup power.

Something which may work is to hold the HDD on its side when you connect it. Sometimes I have found that the disk will then start spinning and will be OK when put down.

John

 

Well my new laptop has a Power USB port which gives more power than a normal USB2.0(1A), but this doesn't help. I also tried this two cords that you mention, one for data and one for additional power but that doesn't work either.
I tried it it in two notebooks. The thing is that it was working on my notebook like a week ago with no additional cords or power and it wasn't even connected to a Power USB that I already mention.
I'll try this putting on it's side when I connect it but... I hope it will work but somehow I think it won't.
What about this drives switching and their enclosures, is it possible, should I try?

 

Yes, swapping drives and enclosures would be the next step in debugging this problem.

John

 

Any guidelines for doing this and not destroying both drives?
How will I know if they are compatible, drives and enclosures?

 

If they will plug together then they will work (unless something is broken). There are two standard interfaces: PATA (IDE) which has a block of 44 pins and the newer SATA which has a plate connector with contacts on the side. The voltages, etc are standard.

The chances of the enclosure killing the HDD are very small. Maybe the HDD decided it was time to move on to the next world.

Time to get out the screwdriver.

John

 

OK.
Thank you very much.