So, I have the following problem:

My HDD spins up and makes all the normal sounds, but then it just restarts after a few seconds, so Windows has no chance to detect it. Since it is an external HDD, I tried connecting it directly but that didn't help me either, since the Computer didn't start because he was waiting for it to properly spin up.

The HDD is from Seagate, or to be more specific, it’s a Barracuda 7200.11 which are known to have firmware issues. I’m not sure that my problem is caused by the firmware issue, since I haven’t found information about just what the HDD does when it’s trapped in the “BSY” mode.

Any ideas?

 

Maybe it's a dead drive?

 

I don't think so. I believe that it's the PCB that's dead, but I wanted someone who has experience to give some ideas first. After all, to get a new PCB is not that easy.

 

Do you have a back-up of the data?

The fact that it starts up and spins at all suggests to me that your data is probably still on there. If I were you I'd just take it to a repair shop / data recovery specialist and let them handle it.

 

Unfortunately, no.

The data on it isn't really important enough for that, mostly digitalised stuff and some savegames, after all repair shops tend to be pretty expensive. But if it's the PCB I could exchange it myself, and a PCB shouldn't be that expensive, finding the right one is the difficult part.

 

It's an external drive yet the computer waits with starting for it to spin up? I assume just letting it boot and connecting it afterwards doesn't work either?

 

It only waits if I connect the HDD directly - internally - to the Computer. If I use the external case, then the Computer doesn't react in any way.

 

It sounds like a mechanical problem. Basically all you can try is to turn it on the side/upside-down and see if it works. Also sometimes helps to put it in the freezer for five minutes or so (in a plastic bag). In any case those are only temporary solutions that will allow you to pull some data. Your HDD is most likely screwed.

Here's a link for firmware updates if you really want to try updating it.

 

If it's mechanical, then it's most likely the motor in which case I'm fucked. I could try to exchange it, but dust would most likely kill my drive. I think that I'll try to exchange the PCB first, with any luck it's just the controller.

In any case, thanks for the input guys.