WD Book 160GB can't be read in Vista

Hi all,
My Vista Home Premium 32 bit can't read my WD Essential Book 160GB.
When I plug in, the WD has some weird sound ( probably from rotating disc ). Vista can't recognise it and even I unplug the USB, this time the WD doesn't shut down automatically. ( In XP, it will shutdown automatically when I unplug the USB ).

I have some serious school data in my WD Book and need it in a couple of days. Anyone can point me a way to deal with it?

Million thanks.

 

See if this helps >> http://www.vistax64.com/vista-general/33247-unreadable-external-hard-disk.html

Also, is it possible for you to backup your hard drive data into another computer for now, and try reformatting the WD? alternatively you could also take a look at the driver issue...

 

Thanks for helping.
My case is pretty weird. Most people have "unreadable" in their disc management. However, in my case, I don't even have any unreadable or "unknown device detected" when I plugged in. It simply didn't know where is "something" plugged. Very weird.

I have only dv5t now. My previous laptop's HD is broken and can't be used as a backup.

 

I have a 250GB WD Essential Book and it is working for me in VHP 32b, so it should work.
Sorry I cant offer you a solution though

 

have you checked for that driver suggestion????