Plugging a 19v PS into a 12v external hard disk...

[Styles]

Will this break it?

 

[BillytheImpaler]

What's a PS?

It probably will. Using Ohm's law, V=IR, it will probably draw too much current.

EDIT: Is a PS a power supply? Wow, I'm dumb today.

Theoretical calc:
12 volts = R * 1 Ampere
R = 12 Ω

19 volts = 12 Ω * I
I = 1.583 Amperes

 

[Styles]

oh carp. how can i get the data off this? its all my work for the last 3 years. backup, reformat, pick up the wrong damn plug, this is desperate

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Why not open it up, take the hard disk out, and plug it into your computer?

I'm assuming it's a full-size hard disk in use.

 

[Styles]

i presume so its not mine. replacing it is no problem which of course i will now do but the data is the issue. would it work plugging into a computer even if it's been overpowered by 19v?

 

[BillytheImpaler]

I doubt it's some exotic drive that takes more than 12V power. There's likely a transformer/resistor of some sort inside to knock the electric potential down to the correct DC voltage. The drive itself is probably an off-she-shelf PATA part.

 

[Styles]

so it will work then? the power switch on the front won't even allow me to turn it off anymore

 

[BillytheImpaler]

It might have protection, it might not. There's only one way to find out.

In the worst case scenario there are services you can pay that can recover data off of the platters even if the electronic guts of the drive are fried. These services are none too cheap but if this data is critical to your work you may consider it.

 

[Justintime]

I would'nt do it, might let out the magic smoke.

Edit: read post properly, you may have fried something before the actual drive, try taking out the drive and using it in the PC.