Ext Hard disk crashed

[Surfer]

Win 7 does not detect my Seagate 1TB external hard disk for some reason. I can hear the HDD whirring and the green light is on to say it is working, but as far as Windows is concerned it does not exist. The power supply to the disk is okay and so is the USB cable. I have tried reloading the software to USB ports on laptop and no luck although they recognise other USB devices. Tried another laptop and it does not recognise the HDD either.
It now seems that I need professional help to recover some files. The annoying part is that the files amount to about 200mb maximum. Can any one recommend a realiable and honest IT technician who can recover the files without charging an arm and a leg?
I was thinking to mentioning to the police that I may have indecent and illegal photos on it and hopefully they would do it for free, but then it may not work.

 

[mullsy1]

I have an ext hdd that does this.I found that by moving /pressing the usb lead at the connection into the laptop and holding it at a certain position,I could get it to come on. I normally have the 'my computer' screen on.Anyone who uses an external hard drives should always use two and back up your files onto both.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi Surfer,
have you tried plugging it in before switching on the laptop, occasionally some USB2 devices will not be detected if connected after the "post" phase (where the DOS legacy devices are detected) I have a card reader that does this. it works fine if it is in before switching on, but will not work if it is plugged in after windows7 has booted.
it's worth a try.
edit. oh and by the way make sure it is in a USB2 slot and not a USB1 slot it makes a differece as the data rate is different.

 

[Sproket]

Surfer
Have you had a look on here ?

 

[Surfer]

Surfer
Have you had a look on here ?

Thanks I have been through that site like a dsoe fo salts but still nothing. It is almost as if the "autoplay" file has been removed which is why it is not detected at all.

 

[Abbey540]

It is worth trying out different USB ports on the computer - and also a different USB cable too.
Are you using a USB splitter at all? If so - remove it.
Have you another computer you could trying linking the HDD to? This would ensure that the drive is working properly and that the fault lies in your PC.
Is the disk pre-formatted?

 

[Surfer]

It is worth trying out different USB ports on the computer - and also a different USB cable too.
Are you using a USB splitter at all? If so - remove it.
Have you another computer you could trying linking the HDD to? This would ensure that the drive is working properly and that the fault lies in your PC.
Is the disk pre-formatted?

Tried different computer and had an IT tech look at it and no joy. I now need to send it off to see if files can be recovered as apparently the auto run file has disappeared offf the hard disk. I have since found out that this is a fairly common occurence. The files are not life changing as they are personal and mainly photos except for several Word & Excel files which are important to me. I have been quoted £50 if it is only a missing "auto run" file.