You need to visit the WD support website and review whatever docs or guide they have the product model#. Be sure to look over any "jumpers/setting" that may allow operation. If none then it should have worked, provided if connected correctly. Otherwise, as you stated in a the post, the HD just maybe toast/bad. Also, improper handling as in ESD damage is possible from static. Regardless, of what type HD it is, I found ADA-2020 product useful in testing and/or quick access to any HD installed. This adapter or similar is found from nay vendors if you care to go that route. As for the HD itself, if you find it continues not to be accessed , start the warranty process, you don't what to be stuck with it and/or act quickly with the vendor if less than 15days(typical seller warranty) if you don't want to deal with the manufacturer, otherwise you will need to.
I bought a 2TB Caviar Green drive to use with an external enclosure. I cannot get any computer to recognize the drive. I tried it with a Windows 7 PC, Windows XP Pro, and a Mac. To make sure the enclosure wasn't the problem, I swapped it into an enclosure that had a working Seagate 2TB drive in it, and put that drive into the enclosure I bought for the Caviar Green drive. The Seagate works, and the WD still doesn't work, aka both enclosures work fine.

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