[xp] WD external drive problems

[KatMac]

I have a WD external drive that's not working (model WD800B05-RNN). Paid a pretty penny for it almost 3 yrs ago, runs on AC power and USB 2.0 connection. Someone at C. City told me it probably is fried because they are 'notoriously touchy and a surge can toast them'. I plug it in, lights come on (steady lights on Desktop, Blinking on Notebook). No spinning is heard. On my desktop (XP Pro, SP2) it's not recognized as a USB device plugged in or as a drive. On my notebook (XP Home SP2), it is recognized as a usb device (when I plug it in I get the message it will run slow as it's plugged into a non 2.0 USB port). But the drive is still not recognized under My Computer on the notebook either.

I don't need to get data off of it, it's strictly for backup and all data is also currently stored on internal drives.

I do however, need an external for backup because I don't trust my aging mobo much these days and a rebuild will be in order soon (drat!)

Two questions if you please:
1) Do you think the WD external is toast?
2) Any recommendations for a good external to purchase? I'm willing to spend up to $150. I have 160GB internal (5 partitions) and have used only a little over 25% of that space. So 150GB or so for external would be more than ample for backup storage, but I always try to 'buy ahead' (allowing room for future growth I've read reviews at newegg and C. City. Very conflicting. What newegg users rave about CCity reviewers despise (WDs are not getting great reviews).

TIA
~Kat

[Steve R Jones]

Did you have or have access to any other USB type drive? If so, do they work in your pc's?

[SpywareDr]

You might try Western Digital's "Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows". It can perform drive identification, diagnostics, and attempt repairs on a Western Digital FireWire, EIDE, or USB drive.
http://support.wdc.com/download/inde...&pid=28&swid=3

--

Here are a few external drives, sorted in GB order:

Maxtor / OneTouch III / 160GB / 8MB / USB 2.0 / External Hard Drive - $59.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...962&CatId=2421

US Modular / 250GB / 7200 / 8MB / USB 2.0 / External 3.5" Hard Drive - $69.97
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...474&CatId=2421

Beyond Micro / Mobile / 250GB / 7200 / 2MB / Black / USB 2.0 / External Hard Drive - $79.97
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...831&CatId=2421

Beyond Micro / 250GB / 7200 / 8MB / USB 2.0 / Indestructible External Hard Drive - $89.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...324&CatId=2421

Maxtor / Personal Storage 3200 / 320GB / 7200 / USB 2.0 / External hard Drive - $89.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...965&CatId=2421

Western Digital Elements / 400GB / 7200 / USB 2.0 / External Hard Drive - $99.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...599&CatId=2421

Western Digital / MyBook Essential / 500GB / 7200 / 16MB / USB 2.0 / External Hard Drive - $149.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...144&CatId=2421

Fantom / Titanium-II / 500GB / 7200 / 16MB / USB 2.0/FireWire / External Hard Drive - $149.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...115&CatId=2421

Note: I've had good luck with a couple of Maxtor OneTouch Series, (knock on wood).

[KatMac]

Thanks for the responses

Steve: I can use USB jump/travel drives no problem (various vendors and sizes). No other USB issues. I don't have access to any other USB Hard Drives.

SpywareDr: Thanks, I forgot about Data Lifeguard I had an older version (2003, when I installed new WD internal and purchased WD external), it didn't recognize the drive. I just d/l & installed newer version of Lifeguard, it does not recognize the external drive either, only the internal.

Oh wait, something weird just happened! Since Data Lifeguard didn't recognize the external drive (which was plugged in when I ran the diagnostic software), I left Data Lifeguard running, removed Ext Drive from USB, the plugged it back in again. External drive spun (sounded like full force) then made a straining sound, then full force again, straining, then nothing. That lasted about 10 seconds. I've unplugged/replugged it into USB two more times, no more spinning, and never recognized by Data Lifeguard (whether spinning or not).

[SpywareDr]

It could be flaky/failing electronics in the hard drive enclosure (USB-to-IDE or whatever) or, the drive itself may be dying/dead.

If possible, you might try removing the hard drive from the enclosure and hook it up directly to the motherboard, like a normal hard drive. If it works then, (fingers crossed), you would know the enclosure was the problem.

[buf]

Is it possible that your WD is still under warranty? If so, try for an RMA at WD. Good luck.