2.5" HD into external case

[BigLar]

My daughter toasted her Compaq laptop, so I did a vivisection on the sucker. I've pulled a 40 GB Hitachi HD out and installed it into a MadDog 2.5" case.

I powers up OK, but is not recognized by the host computer via the USB. Further, I can hear the heads clicking away, looking for something. I suspect the jumper settings (none) are wrong.

I'd appreciate any advise as to:

1. Could it somthing other than the jumper?
2. If it is the jumper, should I set it to Master or Cable?

Thanks in advance.

 

[John]

1) You should not have to jumper the laptop HDD for the enclosure to pick it up. However if it has a small jumper, or you have one (they are tiny), try Master.

2) Try different USB ports.

3) Try a different computer.

4) Maybe it doesn't like the enclosure so try a 2.5" to 3.5" converter.

5) If it's still clicking chances are it's toast. Put it in a ziploc bag and stick it in the freezer for 30 min. Some may advise against it, but it will occasionally work and allow you to pull some data off. Then again if a lot of condensation gets inside the drive it could cause additional damage.

6) Be sure to do regular data backups in the future.

 

[Peter]

If the drive is old and/or a fast RPM type, the power from the USB cable might not suffice to feed it spinning up properly. Try giving the exclosure its own power supply.

 

[corkyg]

Peter has it right. 2.5-in drives are defaulted to Master (no jumper). When in an external case, the USB power alone from one connector is often not enough. Use a 5 VDC power module, or connect a 2nd USB source to the case's power pin port.

 

[John]

The a/c adapter is a good suggestion, but not many 2.5" enclosures include one. I have several brands at the office and none of them have an a/c adapter. However some may have dual USB 'A' plugs on one end and/or USB 'A' to power jack to provide additional power to the drive.

 

[Laputa]

Pull all the jumpers off for Master mode, but sounds like the read head is going bad and the drive is going south since the drive clicks. You probably has one of those ICS or HTS 548040x series.