Dead hard drive question

[leogodin217]

HI,
I have a Western Digital 120GB hard drive. When I boot my computer it
makes a clicking sound but the computer does not recognize the hard
drive. If the motor or other mechanical parts of the hard drive are
bad will that cause the computer to not recognize it? I know if the
onboard controller of the hard drive is bad the computer will not
recognize it but I don't know about mechanical problems. I would
think a hard drive with mechanical problems would be recognized but
cause other errors.
thanks,
Leo

 

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Leo,

A harddrive with mechanical problems as you describe, could definitely *not*
be recognized. Sounds like it's time for a new one!

--
HTH,
Curt

Windows Support Center
www.aumha.org
Practically Nerded,...
http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm

| HI,
| I have a Western Digital 120GB hard drive. When I boot my computer it
| makes a clicking sound but the computer does not recognize the hard
| drive. If the motor or other mechanical parts of the hard drive are
| bad will that cause the computer to not recognize it? I know if the
| onboard controller of the hard drive is bad the computer will not
| recognize it but I don't know about mechanical problems. I would
| think a hard drive with mechanical problems would be recognized but
| cause other errors.
| thanks,
| Leo
|

 

[Bill Ridgeway]

If the problem is electro mechanical and not with the disk platters it
should be possible to recover most if not all your data. It may not be
cheap but that's your judgement as to the value of your data. Google for
data recovery but be aware that someone offering a cheap price may be a
front for an identity theft scam.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions

 

[Guest]

I had a similar problem with a Western Digital HD about 4 years ago. would
not boot and made terrible clicking noises. I bought a new drive and Win. XP
and installed \them, then hooked the old drive to the IDE cable as "Slave."

My OS then saw then saw my system as a dual boot but did not see any
Operating System on the old hard drive (Windows ME had been on the old drive)
however I was able to reformat the drive and reinstall Windows ME. I lost all
my data but there was not anything wrong with the Hard Drive & I have been
dual booting it along with Win XP every since.

So don't throw your hard drive away yet. You have probably lost your data
but your hard drive may just need to be reformatted. It may still be
mechanicaly perfect.