thia

My generic USB HD was working fine since I bought it in April. Now I turned it off before the storm, when I turned back on it lights up but it has been removed from my computer. I connected it to another computer and it does not show up either. How can I test it to see if it is crashed? Or could it be that the Pcpitstop Optimize program removed the configuration files from my registry? I have restored everything from that program but, my drive still does not come up. System Restore tells me that it cannot restore my computer to any of the restored points because my drive F has been turned off or removed from my computer and now System Restore has removed all my restoring points! What, please tell me can I do to restore my drive with all my latest files?
Thanks
thia

Deleted090308

Welcome to TSF.

What storm? Were there power problems?
When did you run PCpitstop?

Can you see the drive in Disk management? (Right click "My computer" > choose "Manage" > Disk Management)

If so - try this: Have you "lost" a hard drive, partition or files in your computer?

thia

Bad weather storm threats of power failure. Turned system off as prevention. I don't usually do it because I trust my surge protector. But, that day I thought I was being really smart! And I turned off all comp. in the house. (there 3 comp. attached to the cable here)
I ran PCpitstop several times during that week, even the day of the storm before I turned the system off.
I can't see the drive in DM or anywhere in my comp. or any comp.
Yes my 250GB USB has all my recent files, I have been saving everything both to my external D and my 8GB Memory stick storage, unfortunately I didn't saved my work that day in the memory stick nor have I saved many of my important files in the 8GB memory stick.
I have found out that my drivers are outdated and I am in the process of updating them with a a Driver Updater program. In the scan results of that program a USB MASS STORAGE shows up along with all mem sticks installed in all comp. at home, but, it seems that it is another USB drive installed in the other comp. here. So my mass storage no longer shows anywhere. Could it be crashed? or burnt or ruined? How could I test it?

Deleted090308

Did you run PC pitstop on all 3 computers? If not, a Windows error isn't very likely.
Any signs of life from the ext. HDD - spinning, lights?
Try another USB cable and/or mount the HDD inside a desktop PC.

thia

I have given up, the drive is under guaranty and I'm sending it back for replacement, since I have back ups of most of my files except for one. But, could you tell me where can I get information on how to fix HDDs? I would like to learn that trade. I'm getting the latest version of Mueller's Computer Repair & maintenance book but what I would really like is a course where I can learn how to repair the actual physical drive plus recover the data from it, is that too high of an aim?

Deleted090308

To open and repair the mechanical parts of a HDD you'd need a special dust free, anti-static lab.
And, of course, the spare parts.
Not something I would recommend doing without the proper knowledge and equipment.

Anyway - lots of info here: http://www.harddrive-repair.com/

thia

Fantastic! Just what I needed to know. The link is much appreciated. I have bought their program, it's just what I've been looking for. I hope it works. I'm having problems installing it, but their support has been alerted. Thanks again!

Deleted090308

You're welcome.

thia

I'm into your site! Dah! Where have I been? You got it all! I have downloaded Getdataback. I think I'm going to hold off in sending this drive back and see if I can recover my data. Getdataback might have my answer. Thanks again!

Deleted090308

You have to make the drive show up in Disk management to make file recovery possible.

thia

Yeah, I realize that, but I am not going to give up. I can't afford to send the drive to a hardware repair company so, there's got to be a way that I can do it myself. I'll keep on googling until I find out how to repair the hardware. I can't afford a lab, and I can't do it for a trade, but, there is got to be a way that I can do it just for my own consumption, what you think?

Deleted090308

Mounting the drive inside a desktop PC is one of the first steps. Did you try that?

thia

I will try that. Also I have enrolled in Wilkes Community College again. I have taken some courses there, I can take them for free because I'm a senior! I took these courses in 2005 before all new technology, so, I'm taking those courses again as they are now updated and I can learn all about all new gadgets and stuff, plus I have added the courses above the basic. I should be downloading that information today. In the meantime, I am setting up a recovery computer where I would be able to plug and play with this drive. I didn't want to mess up my main computer. I'll let you know in a couple of days what's becoming of my great adventure. Thanks for all your help.

Deleted090308

OK. Good luck, and keep us updated.

thia

I'm excited! I'm taking Basic ComTia A+ Certification Prep and Intermediate CompTia A+ Certification Prep. It's a six weeks intensive online training. I'll see how my sharp nugget responds after all the brain picking I have done since 1985. Reckon I'll make it?

Deleted090308

Of course you'll make it!