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Collector
FreddyWash
Posts: 2
Registered: ‎05-02-2012
0

WD Elements 500GB external drive stopped working

I've had my WD Elements 500GB external drive for a few years and then one day it just stopped working (light won't come on and drive no longer shows up in Disk Management).  I replaced the power cord, since I heard that is a typical issue with these drives (the new power cord has a green light that indicates when it's plugged into an outlet).  When I plug the cord into the wall outlet, the light comes on, and then when I plug the power cord into the hard drive the light goes out (whether or not the drive is attached to a computer via the USB cable).  The drive is not recognized by any computer (I've tried my PC laptop and MacBook) and it doesn't sound or feel like anything is spinning inside.

 

I have lots of photos and files that I need to recover. Any suggestions?  I'm thinking of getting a new SSD Enclosure and changing out the drive, but I'm not sure what to buy or whether this will even work. 

 

Thanks

Occasional Advisor
Allen70
Posts: 6
Registered: ‎02-28-2012

Re: WD Elements 500GB external drive stopped working

if it is a self powered one i think you're stuffed however if it has a power cable your not you can take it out of the case than put it into a desktop computer i know it's not ideal but at least you might have a chance of doing something with it to get back the data that you want to have if you don't know how to do it take it to a local computer specialist shop may cost $50 it may be priceless to you
Collector
FreddyWash
Posts: 2
Registered: ‎05-02-2012
0

Re: WD Elements 500GB external drive stopped working

Thanks, that sounds promising.   It has a power cord, so I'll try opening it up and taking out the actual hard drive (or getting help with it).

Occasional Advisor
Allen70
Posts: 6
Registered: ‎02-28-2012
0

Re: WD Elements 500GB external drive stopped working

here you go this video will help its for a 1 tb but it's the same thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCS8ui-6WZY I'm not the guy in the video
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