Hard drive help

[snowcat]

So, I have a terabyte external hard drive I use it to back stuff up from my laptops.

I plugged it in today only to find it starts to sound like its starting up... I can hear the noise but ths light doesnt flash and my computer cant recognise it.

the AC port is a little wobbly... I guess thats something to do with it... Has anyone go any advice? some of the things on that hard drive I have on my laptop but not the newest versions.

[kahless]

ok - first: don't panic!

In general the power supply is essential to let the hd work!
Did the external hd work previously?
I suppose it's a usb device. Are you able to connect it to another computer?
What happens if you connect it to your laptop and do a reboot?
Is it shown in the bios?
Maybe only the drive letter is missing. It could be configured in the system setting. What operating system are you using? XP, Vista, Win 7?

[DJ Doena]

And if everything else fails, there's usually just a standard 3.5" hard disc in an extrnal case with a power supply. So even if the latter died, it's safe to assume that you can retreive your data without any loss.

[snowcat]

Thanks guys.... my brother just took the casing off and the problem just seems to be with the power supply going in and he thinks he can fix it. so fingers crossed

[Najemikon]

I was just going to say, noise is the best initial indication of drive failure. If it sounds like it normally does, the hard drive is probably fine. When you say the light doesn't flash, do you mean it normally flashes like any hard drive does when there is activity? Because if its steady it's because nothing is trying to use it.

[snowcat]

...Well, it was making the usual noise it makes which is not a very good noise lol.

and the light wouldn't come on at all... but. Im hoping he can fix it... I mean... it won't be a huge loss... but, it was just expensive and I dont really wanna have to buy a new hard drive! ...Im annoyed because I took good care of it... It even has its own plastic casing lol

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

...Well, it was making the usual noise it makes which is not a very good noise lol.

The "noise" Jon was referring to is a sound as if someone's playing billiards in your HDD-case (click-clack).
If you ever notice this, do a backup immediately, your HDD is going to die soon (and I mean soon)

[Najemikon]

It helps to understand the two main types of typical hard drive currently available. And I don't mean SATA or IDE...

One type is "Dying", the other is "Dead"...

[kahless]

Concerning hd sounds you can check this site: http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php

Here are some very scary hd sounds!