[MIBgirlsXXL]

Ok, so I got an external hard drive a few weeks back to store my videos and music files. It's been working fine, up until last night, when it started making this wierd beeping noise. When it happened, it was about 3:00 AM, and it woke me up, so I just unplugged it. This morning, when I plugged it in, it started making the noise again for about five minutes. When I opened up My Computer, it didn't show up there. But it's showing up in the Device Manager, and when I checked it's properties, it said that the device is working properly. Since this site has alot of computer people, I was hoping that maybe someone here could help me out?

[yQvpyNt3]

Was the beeping a real "beep", and are you certain this was not coming from your PC? Or was this a "click"?
It sounds to me like it may be a disk failure.
What's the temp around your PC space?
Any chance you can plug this into another PC and see if it's recognized?

[Pharmadryg]

Hit it with a hammer.




That is all.

[SQiTmhuY]

Sigh....
(whines)
But that's your solution to EVERYTHING..!!!

LOL

[AdipexAdipex]

If all your attempts with a hammer have brought no joy... have you tried plugging it in to different ports on your computer... It is USB isn't it?

Is your computer a desktop or a laptop?

Are you connecting via a standard USB port or via a PCMCIA card USB port?

Is the beep continuous, regular or intermittent?

Is the Hard drive's power supply plugged in properly?

Did the problem start whilst you were in the middle of downloading files from a site like eMule? I have had a problem when there has been a power cut that the downloading files all abort and this keeps a regular beeping going from my external hard drive... only way I have been able to clear it is to start deleting download requests till it stops...

Would you like fries with that sir?

[Broker15015]

Was the beeping a real "beep", and are you certain this was not coming from your PC? Or was this a "click"?
It sounds to me like it may be a disk failure.
What's the temp around your PC space?
Any chance you can plug this into another PC and see if it's recognized?

I'm positive it was coming from the hard drive. If it is a disk failure, how can I fix it? And the average temp in my house is usually between 73 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. And at the moment, no, I can't plug it into another computer.

If all your attempts with a hammer have brought no joy... have you tried plugging it in to different ports on your computer... It is USB isn't it?

Is your computer a desktop or a laptop?

Are you connecting via a standard USB port or via a PCMCIA card USB port?

Is the beep continuous, regular or intermittent?

Is the Hard drive's power supply plugged in properly?

Did the problem start whilst you were in the middle of downloading files from a site like eMule? I have had a problem when there has been a power cut that the downloading files all abort and this keeps a regular beeping going from my external hard drive... only way I have been able to clear it is to start deleting download requests till it stops...

Would you like fries with that sir?

I've tried plugging it into two of the three USB ports, and've had the same results.

My computer is a laptop.

The beep starts happening everytime I plug it in to something, such as the wall, or the computer.

I wasn't downloading anything when the problem started.

[SetSnonejog]

Sounds to me like it's hosed.
Just to be sure..you can rule out your PC by two ways:
Plug in another USB device to your ports, see if it's good.
If not, there's an issue with the PC.
Try plugging in the HD to another PC, if if works, it also can point to a PC issue.
If it does not work on another PC, then there's a good chance it's failed.
So how do you fix it?
Most viable solution: Contact the manufacturer and check the warranty and see if they will replace it. If not...that's one expensive paperweight, in which case, this may come in handy:
http://www.grynx.com/projects/things...0-hard-drives/

Actually HD failure is fairly common. I have an EMC set up with about 30 or so disks in various raid configs and at least one or two fails per month.
That's my two cents, perhaps some other techs may have some further advice?

[SimSlim]

My iPod plugs in just fine. So that means that there's a good chance that I'm scared then? Great. Really worth the $130. >_>

[bomondus]

My iPod plugs in just fine. So that means that there's a good chance that I'm scared then? Great. Really worth the $130. >_>

Until you are able to verify by attempting to install it on another PC, you won't know for certain, but it's not looking good so far.
Were it me, I'd call the manufacturer and raise holy hell.
You'd be surprised what you can get for free these days just by being persistent.

[Phywhewashect]

Sounds to me like its shafted. Remove all porn from it and return to retailer for exchange.

[ManHolDenPoker]

Check this page out to see your beep is among the sounds (Hitachi's support site with wav files of common drive failure sounds). There should be a standard hard disk inside the enclosure.

If it's the lovely chirp of a death, your disk is already done long gone, but it will probably be covered under warranty. They'll replace the drive, but the data is gone. Disks do die regularly; I try to opt for the ones with the 3 year warranty. The industry has switched to 1 year warranties for most drives.

[22CreessGah]

I've tried plugging it into two of the three USB ports, and've had the same results.

...and the other USB port?...

The beep starts happening everytime I plug it in to something, such as the wall, or the computer.

Doesn't sound like a PC / Data related problem if it's happening as soon as you power up... even if not attached to your laptop...

I assume that you've tried turninig everything off and on again...(!)

If you are still stuck then I guess you have to resort to 'skweeming weely loud' to your supplier... try beeping down the phone... that's guaranteed to annoy...!

Sorry...

[ttoothh]

Well, I called the company, and they've pretty much confirmed what you guys have been suggesting. It's pretty much scrapped. Since it's still under warenty, they told me to send it back and they'll replace it for me.

If the problem happens with the next one, what do you think my chances are at getting them to refund my money and pay for data restoration?

[ringtonesmannq]

Execute a swift men strike immediately.

[gardenerextraordinaire]

They'll replace the drive, but the data is gone.

If you have the money then it is possible to extract data from disks even after a crash. I've seen pictures of successful rescues, and that from harddrives that had been through fire
It is really expensive though, so if the data is not really important, then it's not worth it.

[Ceriopal]

Ok, but that doesn't answer my question about getting them to pay for it if the next one gets messed up.