Travel Technology - External Hard Drive Won't Power On

I have a Western Digital external HD...500 gb.

Suddenly it stopped powering on...I've tried every outlet in the house, and nothing.

The data on the hd is more sentimental then anything...photos and whatnot.

I was told that the cheapest solution to retrieve that data is to open up the actual casing of the unit to retrieve the actual hard drive. Since its most likely the hd housing that has gone bad and is failing to power up, my memory should still be safe on the internal hd.

Does this make sense?
Anyone have experience with this type of issue?

I've never had this problem, but the solution makes sense and is what I would do if it happened to me.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/978755-help-backup-drive-showing-not-formatted.html

This might help you.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/978755-help-backup-drive-showing-not-formatted.html

This might help you.

Some good info about restoring the MBR in that thread, but if I read the OP's msg correctly it sounds like the drive isn't getting power. If you're not getting a power light where you were getting one before those hints probably won't help.

Probably a pretty good idea to try & salvage the drive. If it's one of the WD "My Book" series they're a bear to get open. I actually took one apart yesterday which had a bad drive using these instructions: (http://rebootdaily.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-to-open-western-digital-my-book.html)

I'd pickup either another external SATA case or a temporary USB-SATA widget (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002) & see if it'll come up.

It may be as simple as opening up the case and reseating the drive, it may have wiggled loose. If not trying it someplace else makes perfect sense.

Before you disassemble the drive, if it's using an external power adapter/transformer, try finding an alternate adapter (same power ratings). Could just be the adapter.

Before you disassemble the drive, if it's using an external power adapter/transformer, try finding an alternate adapter (same power ratings). Could just be the adapter.

Agree with this suggestion, as happened to me. A new adapter and everything was fine.

Is the drive bus powered (powered via the USB port) or external (via a power cable pluged into the wall).

Even if the drive failed it should still power on especially if it is powered externally.

Also just to confirm, no lights come on and it does nothing when it is plugged in. you are not just saying that your computer won't recognize it, correct?

The unit just doesnt power on.
The green light in the front no longer lights up