External IDE hard drive - started clicking, can't access from My Computer!

Maccy

Maccy

Maccy

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Connected the external drive today to backup some files and it made a strange clicking noise initially then stopped. Thought this was strange, so proceeded to open it from my computer and get an error message when I double click it saying that it's not ready!

Is the drive broken and needs repairing?
 
Is it externally powered or just usb? if just USB your ports might not be able to deliver enough milliamps to power it, try the back ones. If externally powered, try another power adapter if you can, if no go and the data is important you might try taking the drive out of the enclosure and trying it in your PC to verify if the drive or the usb controller (external drives) is whacked, if it don't work internally in your pc it might have had it, likely void any warranty taking it out though :(
 
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Externally powered, can't try another cable as I don't have a similar one.

Will give it a go inside the pc later. Won't void any warranty as I bought the drive ages ago and the enclosure last year.

Just tried connecting it to my MacBook via the Mac USB ports and still getting the same clicking noise :(
 
Maccy said:
Is the drive broken and needs repairing?
Click to expand...
A clicking HDD is never a good sign, especially if it's a constant repetitive clicking. Unfortunately repair is rarely an option and certainly not a cost effective one. If the drive is out of warranty then the bin is the usual destination I'm afraid.
 
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