500GB Lacie Rugged - Failed after 2 days! Data Recovery App?

[gguerini]

Hello guys,
I'm kind of desperate. I bought a Lacie 500GB external HD for Christmas. Last year I used it only once, to copy my files from my old external HD. In the beginning or Jan, I sold my Macbook (I was waiting for the Arrandale) and I haven't used the HD since then. Yesterday I gave up on the wait and I bought a Macbook. I was using the HD normally but in the end of the day it unmounted from my Mac. I tried to plug it in again but nothing... Now I can here few bips, like 4, 5 bips and then they stop. The point is, it's not working.

I have two ideas here:
1) Use a Data Recovery software, to try to recover the files from my old external hard drive (fortunately, my old one is not being used... ). But I need an app to do that? Do you guys recommend a good data recovery software for mac?

2) I've been reading about the mythical solution: put the HD in the freezer for some hours and try to turn it on again. Just talked to my friend.. he said it only worked once.. so.. I don't know. What do you think considering there is nothing to lose?

3) OUT OF MY MIND: pay $700/$2400 dollars for a data recovery company. Lacie gave me two names.. probably they make money as well !! Hahaha

Suggestion guys?

I really appreciate your attention.

Thanks
G

 

[MacDawg]

If you have data that needs to be recovered, you can try Disk Warrior or Data Rescue 3 or File Salvage

You can also try JFileRecovery or SafeCopy

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Cave Man]

I suspect the drive is fine. It's more likely the enclosure's controller failed. The problem with buying canned drives is you cannot open them to determine which component failed without voiding your warranty. So, you send it in (and get no data recovery) or you open it to see if the drive's ok (and lose the warranty). What are you going to do?

Cave Man's rule #2 on external hard drives: Always assemble a bare drive with a separate external enclosure; never buy a canned drive.

 

[gguerini]

I suspect the drive is fine. It's more likely the enclosure's controller failed. The problem with buying canned drives is you cannot open them to determine which component failed without voiding your warranty. So, you send it in (and get no data recovery) or you open it to see if the drive's ok (and lose the warranty). What are you going to do?

Cave Man's rule #2 on external hard drives: Always assemble a bare drive with a separate external enclosure; never buy a canned drive.

Hmmm it's true... I don't really think it's a HD problem specially after I reading many other people complaining about suddenly unmount issue like this due to poorly connectors and cables (Lacie). I'll try to recover the data from my old HD, if it works, I will open it and put in another case.

Thank you!

 

[gguerini]

I suspect the drive is fine. It's more likely the enclosure's controller failed. The problem with buying canned drives is you cannot open them to determine which component failed without voiding your warranty. So, you send it in (and get no data recovery) or you open it to see if the drive's ok (and lose the warranty). What are you going to do?

Cave Man's rule #2 on external hard drives: Always assemble a bare drive with a separate external enclosure; never buy a canned drive.

I put some pressure on Lacie and they formally authorized me to open the enclosure (case) without voiding the warranty. This is a good news for me. I just need to buy a new case and try the HD. I think it's worth it. I can't afford much more than that to recover my files.

But after this issue I'll change my backup habits. I need to be more aware of that. It's when you loose that you the value of your data.

I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[Cave Man]

Do yourself a favor and invest in a USB Universal Drive Adapter. I use mine extremely often. Best $30 computer product I've bought in recent years.