turn it off and turn it back on again

Hi julian,

 You should probably try to give a bit more information. Are you using windows? Does it work on other people's computers? Is it a new drive or it used to work and it just stopped? 

Hi Christos,

I have used windows vista and windows 7. I have tried it on a number of different computers, and it does not work on any. It used to work fine, but then I had it shipped by Fedex and it hasn't worked again. It could be a physical problem, but the light still functions and it still makes a slight noise as if it is working. But, the computer does not recognize that it is connected. I have also tried chaniging the cable and that does not work either.

If the disk management on every computer you user cannot see the drive, it does sound unfortunately like a physical problem. 

If it's still under warranty I'd try to have it replaced.

If it's not under warranty (or in order to try and save any data in the drive), I'd remove it from the external case and plug it directly on a computer (or use a different external case) to make sure it's not the fault with the case (slim chance though).

have you tried various data recover programs?

http://lifehacker.com/5237503/five-best-free-data-recovery-tools

http://www.easeus.com/

I agree with Christos.  Open it up, take the drive out, and connect it directly to a computer (or install it in a different case).  Warranty will be void but I presume that the data is worth more than the drive.  I suspect the drive is fine and it's the USB electronics which have failed.

Im with Ricard, had same before, usb connection got buggered, took drive out and copied to new drive.

Hi guys!

Thanks for the feedback!. I have already tried many recovery programs, but the problem is that they can not find my external HD to recover the data!.

About how to open the HD and connect it directly to a computer... does any one know how to do it or where I can do it for an inexpensive price? I asked in some places here in Geneva, but they charge around 1000 chf or more!

Thanks again!

1000chf? omg those are just mofos!

give me the references and put some pictures here...

I'll do it for you for 990.- ;)

At Places such as Fnac, Media Markt and Interdiscount you can find a Hard Drive Dock for a very reasonable price (I think mine cost 150) 

Otherwise I have all the equipment to recover most hard drives.

Simon

You can normally solve this problem by manually assigning a drive letter to the drive.  I'll dig out some details and post them here.

Andy

I have the same problem but stupidly posted about it in the global forum. I've asked a number of companies in geneva and elsewhere in Switz and the cost goes upto CHF 3450 for data recovery !!!

I want to try and do it myself. I heard you need an IDE adaptor which you can order from Amazon for the equivalent of CHF 30 (in the UK at least) and of course another hard drive to put the files on. Has anyone ever tried this with a Mac and is it relatively easy to do? I'm quite nervous as really can't afford to lose all the files (mostly raw video from Africa, photos and some music).

Does anyone know anywhere in GVA that sells Lacie hard drives? Also any advice or encouragement appreciated as this article I found wasn't hugely helpful (will look for a YouTube video and share if I find one): http://www.ehow.com/how_4487908_recover-data-from-dead-hard.html 

If you manage to be able to see the drive, but it appears unformatted or damaged, consider Spinrite, ca. 89USD, for a recovery run (duration 4-48h).

Hi Julian q,

i'm an A+ certified technician and will have a look at if for you,

if i can access your software i will charge you a very reasonable 2chf per 1 gb recovered.

no charge if i cannot

data recovery is expensive because it takes up resources and is time consuming

Tre'

Try www.zicount.com or find him on here, username Zonker.

I have the IDE adaptor you are talking about.

Lacie does not sell hard drives, they sell other brands hard dirves in their lacie boxes, just like everyone does. If you open your Lacie box you will find a normal hard drive.

I can attempt to recover the data, I can put your drive in another PC 

Please call  JLITgeneva at 079 755 33 743

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