Maxtor external drive trouble

[mcdz3]

I have a Maxtor one touch iii that I bought several years ago. I used it on my windows laptop and have alot of pics, etc. that I want to retrieve and migrate to my macbook pro. The drive stopped working some time ago. I dont have a windows device to plug it into now, nor the software. I need help figuring out how to get access to this drive and how to get the data I want off of it.

Any thoughts?

 

[wonderspark]

My thoughts are:

1. Whoops. Bummer.
2. If the drive stopped working, it doesn't matter if you have a Windows device to plug it into. You need data recovery service by professionals.

 

[mcdz3]

Is data recovery expensive? Who would I take it too?

 

[OS6-OSX]

IF you are "good" with gear you can take the drive out of the Maxtor box. Use an adapter that connects the drive to your usb port on the Mac. If it spins it's the Maxtor box. Then you can use boot camp to install widoze and get the data.

 

[Macsonic]

Is data recovery expensive? Who would I take it too?

You can try using the software "Data Rescue" by Alsoft to recover your files. Years ago when my external HD conked out, I used Data Rescue and got back my files. The only hassle is that it renamed all my files. I sometimes use Disk Warrior to fix the ext HD in case it does not appear on the desktop.

 

[thekev]

Is data recovery expensive? Who would I take it too?

I think the absolute cheapest is still in the hundreds if you send it to real professionals who may need to replace parts or pull out the actual platters due to damaged parts. My suggestion is try it outside the case. Burnt usb and firewire bridges aren't that uncommon on external drives, even if the drive itself is okay. Otherwise it will probably cost you far more than it is worth. The better solution is to back up your data in the future.

You can try using the software "Data Rescue" by Alsoft to recover your files. Years ago when my external HD conked out, I used Data Rescue and got back my files. The only hassle is that it renamed all my files. I sometimes use Disk Warrior to fix the ext HD in case it does not appear on the desktop.

I'm not sure disk warrior would work with whatever file system was used on it.

 

[Gav Mack]

The one touch III enclosure iirc there are two screws at the rear of the unit so you can pull the bridge board and then pull the hard drive out, one is covered by a warranty sticker I think.

Once out plug it into a parallel PATA connector, if you have an older Mac Pro you can use one of the optical connectors though I use an old PC. USB bridge chips are not ideal for data recovery, direct connection is much preferred.

From here onwards if the drive doesn't show up in Finder I don't use any mac recovery tools, I use software which is windows only to recover any data. If it still won't spin up, you have the drive so go looking on eBay for an identical working model with close serial and batch numbers (manufactured in the same place) which will share the same controller board so if there is anything other than a mechanical failure inside the drive mechanism you can swap the parts.

If that doesn't work your only recourse is to pay a very high price with a proper data recovery company.

 

[Macsonic]

I'm not sure disk warrior would work with whatever file system was used on it.

Hi TheKev. If the HD damage is severe and deep, Disk Warrior may not be able to repair the HD. Some time ago I had an erratic internal WD HD that does not appear on the desktop and after running Disk Warrior, the HD now appears on the desktop. Though after a few days the HD died. To clarify, Disk Warrior may offer a temporary solution and may not present itself as a general solution all the time.

 

[thekev]

Hi TheKev. If the HD damage is severe and deep, Disk Warrior may not be able to repair the HD. Some time ago I had an erratic internal WD HD that does not appear on the desktop and after running Disk Warrior, the HD now appears on the desktop. Though after a few days the HD died. To clarify, Disk Warrior may offer a temporary solution and may not present itself as a general solution all the time.

Disk warrior only works with specific file systems. That was my point. Otherwise its behavior may be undetermined. The OP's issue could be the drive itself, or it could be the external case components that allow it to connect via usb. If that is the case he might be able to pull out the bare drive. In either case it needs to be replaced, and the replacement should be backed up.

 

[Macsonic]

Disk warrior only works with specific file systems. That was my point. Otherwise its behavior may be undetermined. The OP's issue could be the drive itself, or it could be the external case components that allow it to connect via usb. If that is the case he might be able to pull out the bare drive. In either case it needs to be replaced, and the replacement should be backed up.

I know it was your point you had in mind. I was clarifying from my previous post that Disk Warrior is not the final solution to HD problems.