Need help recovering data from Seagate HDD (clicking sounds, not recognized by any computer)

Seeking Assistance with a Seagate HDD Recovery: Clicks and No Recognition

Hello, fellow tech enthusiasts!

I find myself in a bit of a predicament with my Seagate external hard drive, which has abruptly ceased functioning. I’m reaching out in hopes of tapping into your collective wisdom for potential solutions or recommendations.

The Situation:

  • Upon connection, the hard drive lights up, indicating some power is reaching it.
  • However, it emits intermittent clicking and faint beeping sounds, which are quite concerning.
  • Despite multiple attempts, the drive remains undetected on several Computers. It does not appear in either Disk Management or BIOS.

After contacting Seagate, I was advised to consider their recovery service, but the quoted price of $800 is beyond what I can reasonably afford. The files I’m trying to recover include personal photographs and important documents, making this situation all the more urgent.

Request for Guidance:

Is there anyone within the Mississauga/Toronto area (or nearby) who has faced a similar challenge and can offer insights? If you know of a more affordable local recovery service, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.

Additionally, I’ve heard that replacing the controller board (PCB) might resolve electrical issues. Is this a viable solution worth considering?

Thank you in advance for any advice, tips, or resources you can provide. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! 🙏

Looking forward to your responses!

Share this content:

One Comment

  1. Hi,

    Sorry to hear about your hard drive issues. The clicking sounds and non-recognition often suggest a mechanical or PCB problem. Before attempting any repairs, please keep in mind that DIY fixes carry risks of further data loss, especially if you are not experienced with HDD repairs.

    Here are some steps and considerations:

    • Data Recovery Priority: If data is critical, consider consulting a professional Data Recovery service. While the $800 quote is high, DIY methods could potentially cause irreparable damage, so weigh the risks carefully.
    • Physical Inspection: If comfortable, you can carefully open the enclosure and inspect the drive for obvious physical damage. Do NOT attempt to do this unless you have proper anti-static tools and experience, as it could void warranties or cause additional harm.
    • Controller Board (PCB) Swap: Replacing the PCB can sometimes resolve electrical issues, especially if the drive spins up but is not recognized. Ensure the replacement PCB is exactly matched in model and firmware revision; sometimes, drives have BIOS chips that need to be cloned from the original. This process can be complex and risky without proper equipment.
    • Professional Data Recovery: Considering your urgency and valuable files, it might be best to seek a reputable Data Recovery specialist locally. Many professional labs can Recover Data from clicking drives with advanced methods, often at

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *