Broken external HD under warranty - but loaded with pictures

[StompAWOT]

My 500GB WD Netcenter HD seems to be busted. It's flashing an amber colored light (not good), and I can here a slight clicking noise (very minor) coming from the unit. It's under warranty, however I recently backed up a number of pictures. I think most of them are redundant to what is on my internal HD's, but some might be sole copies.

Since the HD is under warranty I could send it back in, but by doing so I'm assuming my chances of getting the files back are slim to none. I see my options as either tearing it apart and trying every trick in the book to pull the pics off (that will be another post) OR sending it back (RMA) and getting a new one but losing the pics.

If anybody has feedback sending a HD in under warranty with important data/files I'd appreciate any feedback. Any options I haven't considered are appreciated greatly.

Thanks.

Stomp

 

[Rottie]

To get lost files is going to cost you more money even it is under warranty and they usually give you a new HD.

 

[0roo0roo]

drive warranties do not cover data.
no hd company will fix the drive to restore your data.
its gone unless you go to a data recovery company where they rip apart the drive and read the platters with expensive equipment and such. thousands of bucks....

welcome to the suck that is harddrive, use raid or more rapid backup next time.

 

[MarcVenice]

I never had a HD fail on me. Not like I'm a long time PC owner/user, but yeah. Important backups go on dvd's, not on HD's One shortcircuit in your house, be it bad wiring, or lightning, and your HD's could be gone.

 

[trenchfoot]

as a last act of desperation did you try that old trick of freezing the drive? seems to work in some circumstances. try googling about that first though.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: tweaker2
as a last act of desperation did you try that old trick of freezing the drive? seems to work in some circumstances. try googling about that first though.

I wouldn't try that with a HD in a case. OP, you're kinda in a bind. If you remove that drive from the case, your warranty is probably void. If you don't remove the drive, your data is gone. Next time, buy a HDD and a case seperately.

Good Luck!

 

[StompAWOT]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie

Originally posted by: tweaker2
as a last act of desperation did you try that old trick of freezing the drive? seems to work in some circumstances. try googling about that first though.

I wouldn't try that with a HD in a case. OP, you're kinda in a bind. If you remove that drive from the case, your warranty is probably void. If you don't remove the drive, your data is gone. Next time, buy a HDD and a case seperately.

Good Luck!

Actually I did try the freezer trick - but just for about 30 minutes. Old Hippie is right - not smart. Condensation (even in a zip lock bag) happened pretty quick. When I plugged it in again it didn't turn on...for a few minutes. Finally did power up, but still had the ticking noise (like a watch). No luck fixing it.

I'm hoping the vast majority of the data is still on my internal drives, so I'm going to deal with getting it replaced under warranty and will lose the data. May as well get something out of it.

Thanks for all the feedback & help everybody.