[satfrat]

So what damage can occur from introducing static electricity to an external hard drive? Guess I already know but I'd like the experts to concur that I've just ruined one of my exterior hard drives by introducing a spark to it as I went to turn it on just now. The drive just continually clicks and won't load up. Does this sound familiar to anyone? It'll be my 1st failed hard drive so I really don't know myself. Is there any way to save what's on the drive or am I just as well better off replacing the drive and redownloading the exterior drive from my primary drive? Guess there's a 1st time for everything and as always, I'm learning the hard way on this one. Thanks.
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Len_Dreyer]

Tough break. If the drive can't be fixed, the data is probably recoverable but you'll have to pay. Don't know if it's worth it but here's a list of service providers:

Hard Drive Recovery Services

Len

[satfrat]

So it's possible to actually fix a hard drive Len? As far as recovery, it would be a whole lot easier just to transfer my libary to another hard drive but if there's a way to actually fix a clicking hard drive, guess that's worth exploring too. Thanks Len.
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Len_Dreyer]

I pretty sure the electronic board can be replaced, if that's where your problem is. In all fairness, I've been out of the computer field for quite a while, so I don't know if it would be cost effective for you.

Len

[satfrat]

Yea, I'm getting the idea from a little Googling that a hard drive replacement is my cheapest solution. It's not like there's anything on that hard drive that I can't replace from my primary library. Being that it's an external hard drive box, maybe I can figure out how to replace the hard drive myself. It can't be that hard,,, so long as I discharge myself first. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[satfrat]

Well I got my replacement Hard drive today for my USB external case and switching them over was a simple plug n' play. But now I need to figure out how to get the drive to show up in My Computers. I've gone to Device Manager and the USB hard drive is working properly but yet it's not showing up so I can start my backup process. Help?? 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[srb]

The new drive may need to be formatted and a drive letter assigned.  Go to Start > All Programs > Administrative Tools > Computer Managment (or right-click on My Computer and select Manage).
 
In the Computer Management console, click on Storage > Disk Management.  You should see your new disk there, but it may be unformatted.  If so, right-click on the disk and select Format (make sure you are on the correct disk!).
 
After formatting, you can right-click to Change Drive Letter if you want a drive letter other than the automatically assigned one.
 
Steve

[satfrat]

The new drive may need to be formatted and a drive letter assigned.  Go to Start > All Programs > Administrative Tools > Computer Managment (or right-click on My Computer and select Manage).
 
In the Computer Management console, click on Storage > Disk Management.  You should see your new disk there, but it may be unformatted.  If so, right-click on the disk and select Format (make sure you are on the correct disk!).
 
After formatting, you can right-click to Change Drive Letter if you want a drive letter other than the automatically assigned one.
 
Steve

Hi Steve,
 
I did as you said and the drive doesn't show up at the top but is listed at teh bottom and is indeed unallocated. But when I right click it I get New Partition, Properties, and Help. There's no Format option. Before I click onto New Partition, I thought I'd talk to you first. Thanks for this assistance.
 
Cheers,
Robin

[srb]

Sorry!  Yes, you will need to create the partition first, and let it use the entire available space (unless you wanted to have this disk divided into several partitions/drives, which I doubt).
 
Then, you will be able to format it.  There is a quick format checkbox, but I don't enable that, and instead let it do the regular (not quick!) format, which will scan the entire disk surface as it formats and lock out any bad sectors.  You can also give it a volume name when you format (instead of New Volume), but if you don't, you can always rename it after the fact, just like renaming a file.
 
Steve

[satfrat]

Thanks Steve, that's what I wanted to hear. Looks like I'll be learning something today. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[satfrat]

The Partition Wizard is asking me to chose between a Primary or Extended Partition. 
 
I chose Primary and it's presently formatting, I think I got it straight. Once formatted, I'll rename it L-Z and start my 6000 album backup. If I've learned anything here, I'll be touching something metal before I touch anything on my system ever again,,, well at least during the winter months. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[macrojack]

Robin - This looks like an Apple commercial with ole PC struggling to make Microsoft change a light bulb in less than 300 steps. Mac is watching and trying not to laugh.
Installing Windows 7 in a new HP desktop at my house took half a day. Installing Snow Leopard in my I-Mac took about 20 minutes.

I don't mean to dis you in your time of desperation - I'm just struck by the contrast and I wonder why PC people put up with it.

[srb]

You chose correctly, Robin.
 
If you replace a hard drive on a Mac with an unformatted drive, you will have to launch Disk Utility, then select the drive, then select the Partition tab, then set the number of partitions, then choose the format, etc.  Same thing, just a different interface.
 
Robin, feel free to PM me if you run into anything (if you want to avoid non-constructive comments from Mac fanboys - I have supported both platforms and have spent many hours troubleshooting Mac problems as well), but I'm pretty sure you're on your way.
 
Steve

[satfrat]

Robin - This looks like an Apple commercial with ole PC struggling to make Microsoft change a light bulb in less than 300 steps. Mac is watching and trying not to laugh.
Installing Windows 7 in a new HP desktop at my house took half a day. Installing Snow Leopard in my I-Mac took about 20 minutes.

I don't mean to dis you in your time of desperation - I'm just struck by the contrast and I wonder why PC people put up with it.

Now you have an understanding on how AudioCircle continues putting up with certain individuals (myself included),,,,,,,, they just put up with it! 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[satfrat]

You chose correctly, Robin.
 
If you replace a hard drive on a Mac with an unformatted drive, you will have to launch Disk Utility, then select the drive, then select the Partition tab, then set the number of partitions, then choose the format, etc.  Same thing, just a different interface.
 
Robin, feel free to PM me if you run into anything (if you want to avoid non-constructive comments from Mac fanboys - I have supported both platforms and have spent many hours troubleshooting Mac problems as well), but I'm pretty sure you're on your way.
 
Steve

The formatting is completed Steve, just over 3 hours. I've started the backup downloading process now. This was all so damn easy actually, changing an exterior hard drive and the format process. But it's like anything else, you just need to know the procedure, regardless of the operating system. I sure do appreciate the guiding hand Steve! 
 
Cheers,
Robin