USB Connection no longer working. HELP!

WD External and Portable SSD External SSD for macOS
1

Hi, I recently realized my 2TB My Book Essential USB 2.0 Drive’s USB connection is no longer working. The drive still works and powers up, but the connection isn’t working at all. I’ve done some research and I read that the USB connection has been a problem with these drives.

What I am wondering though is, is there any way to get all my data off the drive since it won’t work in the current enclosure? I’m not willing to solder things as I’ve read other people have done to get it fixed, but if the USB connection no longer works, can I take the drive out and pop it in as an internal drive to get it to work? I’ve read that the drive has used some sort of encryption, so it won’t mount properly, but is there any way to get the files recovered even if WD used some sort of encryption on the drive?

What are my options, I really can’t afford to lose my files.

thanks

2

how do you know if it is the usb that isn’t working?  check disk utilities and see if the drive shows up there.  also try another usb cable.  if the drive is connected to a power strip, I would connect it directly to the wall to see if that works.  the power strip may not be supplying enough power.

and, no, if the drive is a smartware drive, you won’t be able to pull it from the case and connect it directly to your computer.  it is a hardware encrypted drive and needs the external case’s pcb board to unencrypt the drive.

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I know it’s the USB because I did actually remove it from the case and ran hardware diagnostics on the drive when inserted as an internal drive. The power when connected also powered up the drive fine when in the enclosure but it would not get detected by the USB connection or mount or be seen by the computer. I also ran data recovery software that did detect files on the drive, but didn’t want to use it because it doesn’t retain file names or directory structures.

4

Hi.

You can take the drive to a data recovery company or take it to best buy I’ve heard they also provide a data recovery service, or search and download a data recovery software to see if that works.-