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General discussion

External Hard Drive Failed

May 24, 2005 1:13PM PDT

My computer (windows XP), or any other computer, is no longer able to detect my external hard drive. It does not show up on disk management or device manager. I tried changing the cables as well, but nothing works. The drive is still spinning inside, so i assume it is something with the internal connections. The sepcs are:

Western digital 80 gb external hard drive
usb 2.0 connection
Model:WD800B008-RNN

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on fixing it. Also, I was wondering if it is possible to open the casing of the external hard drive and putting the hard drive itself into a computer or a hard drive enclosure used with internal hard drives? Would it be compatible and are there any special requirements? Thanks for any help.

Discussion is locked

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Go.
May 24, 2005 9:08PM PDT

Yes. They use standard drives inside those. Try it. You may find that cable, case (and electronics), hard disk or power supply has failed, but not all 4 parts.

Bob

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Same problem...let me know if you found the solution!
Oct 28, 2006 2:57AM PDT

Hello. I have the same external HD: western digital, 80GB. It is spinning like usual and the HD is not really old, less than 2 years. I never really touched it and suddenly it just stopped working. I have tried a few things but nothing work and it doesn't show up anywhere in the device manager and in other computer. I am about to open it up and change the enclosure all together. Have you tried that yet? Was there any success?

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If the drive is still spinning...get an enclosure of choice
Oct 28, 2006 5:23AM PDT

and try it. You can also install it in a desktop PC and check it there before getting the replacement enclosure.

VAPCMD

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Problem solved.
Nov 4, 2006 7:45PM PST

Don't know if anyone else is following this. Anyway, I remove the harddrive from the enclosure and put it in another enclosure. It worked and I have all my files still intact.

After this, I have decided to buy another external since I have been using mine somewhat like an "extention" and not solely a "backup".

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Might be more reliable and faster to use a 2nd int HDD
Nov 5, 2006 12:03AM PST

as FIRST backup with the SECOND backup on the external.

VAPCMD