Help with trashed Seagate 1TB drive, pls? TIA!

**gmcbee** · September 22nd, 2013, 07:30 PM

Well, hell, I'm one of the ones that usually gives advice on backup and recovery...

I have 3 external 1TB Seagate drives, 2 FreeAgents and a GoFlex, drives F:, G: and H:, all redundant copies of each other, so I haven't lost anything... YET! Yes, I keep 3 onsite copies of my stuff, and 1 offsite.

Took a power hit the other day, and now all the G: (one of the FreeAgent drives) does is click. and click. and click, trying to read *something!* *anything!*. Tried several shutdowns and cable swaps, nada. Properties show 0 bytes used and 0 bytes available. Attempts to access the drive result in your friendly Win pop-up "Insert disk in drive G:"

Not critical, I have copies of my data, but I'd really like to get this drive back, and I fear it's out of warranty.

Any help? Should I light black candles at midnight? Take it apart and scrub off the bad sectors with steel wool? Should I take out my frustrations by kicking it down the street with my Doc Martens until it disintegrates?

The click-click-click thing tells me it's got power, but makes me think maybe there was a head crash? Arrrgh.

I'd really like to get the brick up and spinning, any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

**Greenman** · September 22nd, 2013, 09:13 PM

I got something similar with my MAXTOR drive 500GB(and sometimes it still does it) and I found out it was because I was connecting it to hub and it was slowing it down and not running as fast as it should be. Try connecting it direct to your computer, at the back of the machine it probably needs more juice. I am of course assuming that you don't plug it direct at the back. If not, try attaching them to another computer or laptop and see if they work on something else. If all else fails try(if it needs one) updating or rolling back the driver software. I think the lack of 'juice' from a hub or other connector is causing that clicking sound-I read something similar on a forum for MAXTOR so your final or first port of call is your drive forum via it's website-maybe a member of it's forum or website can help you further. Good luck anyway, I feel your anxiety because for a time mine drove me mental.

Barlie_pop · September 22nd, 2013, 09:39 PM

Have you tried any of Seagate Tools

**gmcbee** · September 23rd, 2013, 05:38 AM

The drive worked for months through a usb hub before the power spike. Seagate tools (or any other disk util) won't even yank its crank. No device there for it to see.

Paperweight. Damn.

**Jism Jim** · September 23rd, 2013, 05:12 PM

A hard disk that makes a ticking sound is usually on its way to the cemetery. I replace such a disk when it makes a ticking sound. Even when you get it working again it won't be reliable. A new disk is probably cheaper than a repair.

**gmcbee** · September 23rd, 2013, 06:40 PM

Yep. I think now I have to decide how to take my revenge upon the beast. Tire iron? 9mm? Propane torch?

**mike937** · September 23rd, 2013, 08:49 PM

Put it in the freezer for a while. It's not a permanant fix, but it may allow you to recover your data.

**old alal** · September 23rd, 2013, 08:57 PM

You could try a universal adapter to by-pass the disc controller in the casing. I've done this with 2 of 3 failed drives and recovered all data. Unfortunately the 3rd is dead.

**pharoahegypt** · September 23rd, 2013, 10:18 PM

Tips for keeping external hard drives running longer......

1. Don't leave in direct sunlight, or on hot surfaces; as the heat from them can over a period of time affect the tiny steel ball bearings inside that the discs rotate upon, and then you get that infamous clicking sound. It takes a surprisingly low amount of heat to cause this.

2. If possible, leave unconnected from power/usb ports for most of the time, as constant booting up when switching your pc/laptop on will also put more strain on the drives internals.

3. The 'bleeping' you may hear when connecting an external hard drive to a usb port will most likely be a sign that you have an older machine that has the older ports installed, as only usb 2.0 ports will be enough to power the device.... Now you know why some cables have two connectors, which can often get around this problem by sharing the power of two adjacent usb ports. You don't of course have this issue with either rear usb ports, or any on newer machines, some of which are now upgraded to usb 3.0.

4. If you have one of the newer usb 3.0 ported portable hard drives don't expect your regular high street computer repair shop to have the capability of retrieving your documents, as the industry has so far deemed the specialist cables and software be made unavailable to us for the moment.... which is why the likes of PCWorld can charge what the hell they like to do so, in the knowledge that they are among the few who do have the newer cables and software.

5. If all else fails . . . CRY LIKE A BABY .... you will be in very good company..!!!

**9876543210** · September 23rd, 2013, 11:58 PM

gmcbee,

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmcbee

The drive worked for months through a usb hub before the power spike. Seagate tools (or any other disk util) won't even yank its crank. No device there for it to see.

Paperweight. Damn.

Over the years I've had really good luck with Seagate Sea Tools when one of their drives starts giving me a problem. In my experience, if Sea Tools can't fix the problem then it probably can't be fixed.

And have to agree with JismJim. That clicking sound just isn't good. Time for a new drive.

One last thing. You lost the drive because of a power spike? Lightning? Do you keep these external drives plugged in and powered all the time? If so, you may want to reconsider that as, any time there is a spike your in jeopardy. Maybe just back up weekly instead of nightly (depending on the importance of your data). I've seen people lose everything because of lightning, not pretty. Best to keep those externals off line when they're not in use.

Just my opinion.

September 22nd, 2013, 07:30 PM	#1
gmcbee Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Clinging to the rim of a crater on the dark side of Uranus. Posts: 1,065 Thanks: 3,961 Thanked 11,051 Times in 1,042 Posts	Help with trashed Seagate 1TB drive, pls? TIA! Well, hell, I'm one of the ones that usually gives advice on backup and recovery... I have 3 external 1TB Seagate drives, 2 FreeAgents and a GoFlex, drives F:, G: and H:, all redundant copies of each other, so I haven't lost anything... YET! Yes, I keep 3 onsite copies of my stuff, and 1 offsite. Took a power hit the other day, and now all the G: (one of the FreeAgent drives) does is click. and click. and click, trying to read something! anything!. Tried several shutdowns and cable swaps, nada. Properties show 0 bytes used and 0 bytes available. Attempts to access the drive result in your friendly Win pop-up "Insert disk in drive G:" Not critical, I have copies of my data, but I'd really like to get this drive back, and I fear it's out of warranty. Any help? Should I light black candles at midnight? Take it apart and scrub off the bad sectors with steel wool? Should I take out my frustrations by kicking it down the street with my Doc Martens until it disintegrates? The click-click-click thing tells me it's got power, but makes me think maybe there was a head crash? Arrrgh. I'd really like to get the brick up and spinning, any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

September 22nd, 2013, 09:13 PM	#2
Greenman Live Legend of VEF Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Underground lair somewhere in the world Posts: 20,353 Thanks: 30,936 Thanked 383,538 Times in 19,356 Posts	I got something similar with my MAXTOR drive 500GB(and sometimes it still does it) and I found out it was because I was connecting it to hub and it was slowing it down and not running as fast as it should be. Try connecting it direct to your computer, at the back of the machine it probably needs more juice. I am of course assuming that you don't plug it direct at the back. If not, try attaching them to another computer or laptop and see if they work on something else. If all else fails try(if it needs one) updating or rolling back the driver software. I think the lack of 'juice' from a hub or other connector is causing that clicking sound-I read something similar on a forum for MAXTOR so your final or first port of call is your drive forum via it's website-maybe a member of it's forum or website can help you further. Good luck anyway, I feel your anxiety because for a time mine drove me mental. __________________ There was only ONE Greenman, and you accepted no substitutes! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Rest in peace MaxJoker-you will be sorely missed. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 20,000: Milestone reached!

September 22nd, 2013, 09:39 PM	#3
Barlie_pop I got myself banned Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Between Those TiTs Posts: 234 Thanks: 227 Thanked 2,070 Times in 217 Posts	Have you tried any of Seagate Tools __________________

September 23rd, 2013, 05:12 PM	#5
Jism Jim Sourcer of Smut Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,832 Thanks: 83,622 Thanked 341,823 Times in 8,425 Posts	A hard disk that makes a ticking sound is usually on its way to the cemetery. I replace such a disk when it makes a ticking sound. Even when you get it working again it won't be reliable. A new disk is probably cheaper than a repair. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Feel free to post my scans to the relevant model threads, but do give credit

September 23rd, 2013, 08:57 PM	#8
old alal Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK Posts: 3,197 Thanks: 22,904 Thanked 35,082 Times in 3,165 Posts	You could try a universal adapter to by-pass the disc controller in the casing. I've done this with 2 of 3 failed drives and recovered all data. Unfortunately the 3rd is dead. __________________ Old alal's First Rule Of Breasts To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. When you've seen one pair of breasts.........you want to see every pair of breasts!

September 23rd, 2013, 05:38 AM	#4
gmcbee Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Clinging to the rim of a crater on the dark side of Uranus. Posts: 1,065 Thanks: 3,961 Thanked 11,051 Times in 1,042 Posts	The drive worked for months through a usb hub before the power spike. Seagate tools (or any other disk util) won't even yank its crank. No device there for it to see. Paperweight. Damn.

September 23rd, 2013, 06:40 PM	#6
gmcbee Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Clinging to the rim of a crater on the dark side of Uranus. Posts: 1,065 Thanks: 3,961 Thanked 11,051 Times in 1,042 Posts	Yep. I think now I have to decide how to take my revenge upon the beast. Tire iron? 9mm? Propane torch?

September 23rd, 2013, 08:49 PM	#7
mike937 Vintage Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 259 Thanks: 4,162 Thanked 12,538 Times in 248 Posts	Put it in the freezer for a while. It's not a permanant fix, but it may allow you to recover your data.

September 23rd, 2013, 10:18 PM	#9
pharoahegypt Vintage Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middle England Posts: 4,491 Thanks: 10,176 Thanked 43,620 Times in 4,154 Posts	Tips for keeping external hard drives running longer...... 1. Don't leave in direct sunlight, or on hot surfaces; as the heat from them can over a period of time affect the tiny steel ball bearings inside that the discs rotate upon, and then you get that infamous clicking sound. It takes a surprisingly low amount of heat to cause this. 2. If possible, leave unconnected from power/usb ports for most of the time, as constant booting up when switching your pc/laptop on will also put more strain on the drives internals. 3. The 'bleeping' you may hear when connecting an external hard drive to a usb port will most likely be a sign that you have an older machine that has the older ports installed, as only usb 2.0 ports will be enough to power the device.... Now you know why some cables have two connectors, which can often get around this problem by sharing the power of two adjacent usb ports. You don't of course have this issue with either rear usb ports, or any on newer machines, some of which are now upgraded to usb 3.0. 4. If you have one of the newer usb 3.0 ported portable hard drives don't expect your regular high street computer repair shop to have the capability of retrieving your documents, as the industry has so far deemed the specialist cables and software be made unavailable to us for the moment.... which is why the likes of PCWorld can charge what the hell they like to do so, in the knowledge that they are among the few who do have the newer cables and software. 5. If all else fails . . . CRY LIKE A BABY .... you will be in very good company..!!! __________________ Arguing with a intelligent person is hard; but arguing with a stupid person is impossible! Last edited by pharoahegypt; September 23rd, 2013 at 10:20 PM.. Reason: spelling and tidied up