Hi Everyone,
This morning I done something very stupid. I had my Laptop adaptor lying next to my External Hard Drive adaptor without looking I accidently plugged in the Laptop adaptor in  to the External Hard Drive, I think I toast the Controller Board on the Hard Drive? Now it does not work. I opened it up and put another Hard Drive in the enclosure case that works fine. I checked ebay for another Controller Board for this model it's around $50 too much. I don't care about the Hard Drive I just WANT to restore my files that was on the Hard Drive. I get no noise from the Drive, No spins, Nothing, I even installed it on a working computer still Dead as a door nob, Is there any way I can restore my files back? The Hard Drive Is a 320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 Thank You.There are companies that may be able to recover your data, but it's extremely expensive (thousands of dollars).

There's probably not much you yourself can do to recover anything from the hard drive, especially if it isn't spinning.First...I don't think the external hard drive would be covered under warranty in a matter such as this one, but if you're computer savvy enough...you can try to remove the hard drive from its enclosure (only recommended if no other alternative available) and install it in a new enclosure that will fit it.

You can usually find these enclosures at most computer stores...under $50 (USD).

You may also be able to remove the drive from its enclosure, slave it, install it in another computer to see if you can retrieve any files that way.

As far as data recovery...its expensive...but not thousands of dollars...it could cost you a few hundred...max.  Depends on the compnay you use.

I'd try the cheaper alternatives, first.As an ADDED note...

Here's a link to a data recovery company I use.  Depending on the severity of the problem...their rates are $99/hour (USD).

800Tech

I doubt, very seriously, that you'll want to follow this path...but hey...that's up to you.


Again...you're probably looking at a few hundred...as opposed to thousands of dollars.

Keep us posted...The case isn't their problem, as they said they've already tested another drive in it and it works. They've also tried installing it in another computer already and it didn't work. The hard drive itself seems to have been ruined.

$99/hour is really cheap though, compared to most companies. It's a consideration... just depends on how badly they want their files.My bad...Didn't read the fine print of the original post.

This company's prices are very reasonable, though.  They may be able to replace the controller board...but he should do some shopping around to see if he can find any other alternatives...at a more reasonable price...if that's his concern.

Update...

Actually, it may be cheaper for him in the long-run...just to purchase another drive and use the controller from it...as long as it's the same drive.  I don't think the firmware will be an issue here...as long as the drive's the same.Something I've done before. I managed to get the exact same model of a dead drive and swapped controllers. Work great.Hi quaxo and saviour thank you for the INFORMATION you have provided, I have not tried to install the Hard Drive as slave as yet but I will give that a go. The other thing is if I replace the Controller Board, will that fix it? I found a Board for sale some model as mine for a small fee, Regards.  Quote from: Tufek100 on June 09, 2008, 11:58:56 PM

I have not tried to install the Hard Drive as slave as yet but I will give that a go. The other thing is if I replace the Controller Board, will that fix it?

I even installed it on a working computer still Dead as a door nob

Here's a link to a data recovery company I use.  Depending on the severity of the problem...their rates are $99/hour (USD).
800Tech