Hard Drive has no power!!

[Dave_1981]

So this is my dilemma, I had a inspirion 1525 250gig hard drive laptop. One day I started the computer and the windows screen would start but that is all it would do. I shut it off. The next day the same thing. So I removed the hard drive and connected it to a whatchama call it so I could connect it via usb to another computer. The computer that works doesn't read the hard drive at all. This is has very sentimental value. It has pictures and videos of my wedding, birth of nephews, documents for work etc. I really need to get it to work, just so I can transfer the information to my other laptop. I contacted a company that said they could repair the hard drive but would cost me $450 if they did not have to open it. If they did it would $895. Any ideas what can I do. Can I simply transfer the plate onto another hardrive. I know people say that once you open it you destroy it. But Im not a computer expert. The hard drive is a Western Digital. So any info would be much appreciated and my wife would love you forever!!!!!

[RicheemxX]

Moving/swapping drive platters is not something even a skilled tech would want to try to undertake let alone someone with only basic knowledge.

If the windows screen started up on the laptop then its entirely possible the drive is still working. So perhaps you could explain what you mean by "it wouldn't read the drive at all", and "Hard drive has no power." Did the new computer detect it as a USB device, does it show any signs of life, light, spinning noise ect?

The "whatchama call it" is called an external drive bay. What is the make/model? Perhaps there was a connection you overlooked or something else that knowing exactly what you are using might help us eliminate some possibilities.

edit: Just to ask, did you try any troubleshooting before removing the drive from the laptop? Did it ever show any signs that it was failing before hand?

[philipsi]

Another issue with the external drive bay might be drive letter conflicts - if you're on Windows, open up disk configuration and see if the drive is showing up there.

[ShyguyXPC]

Though a few weeks old on this thread (would be nice if the OP would reply back)

could also be, if the laptop hard drive was a 7200RPM drive, the USB adapter/enclosure you used, might not have had enough power over the USB port to run the drive. Most USB enclosures powered off the USB port with no external power source usually only run 5400RPM Drives or slower.


What exact model of Western Digital Hard Drive is this? And As Rich pointed out, what was the exact make and model of the USB HDD Enclosure/External Bay that you bought to do this with?




But good suggestion on the Drive Letter conflicts, if it was Drive C on the laptop, that would conflict with Drive C designation on the Desktop as well.