I gave my 100Volt HDD - 240Volts instead - for just 5 seconds by mistake & now it doesn't work. Help!!!?

Question

I bought a 1x Terabyte HDD in Japan that can only work at 100volts (unlike other models that can handle 240 or 100 no probs). I bought a voltage converter for it & it worked without a problem. Less than 24 hours after returning from to Japan to Australia I was moving the HDD to another room & in a rush plugged it straight into the wall without the converter - giving it a dose of 240 volts instead of 100 volts for about 5 seconds. There was no sound, no noise, no smoke, no smell - it simply will not work now. I have over 200Gigs of valuable data on it. Can the HDD be fixed? Would there be a circuit or fuse inside it? Can the data be saved? Does anyone know?? Help!!!!!!

Answer 1

I am Assuming that this is an External Hard Drive, with an Encloser & Power Supply in it.

Here's what you Need to Do:

(You Could call Tech Support, and get an RMA, then Ship it Back to the Manufacture. You could get a New one no Problem.

But it Sounds like you just want the Data off of it.)

First, take Apart the Case, and look for a Fuse in the Power Supply Portion of the Hard Drive. Once you find a Fuse check it, and Replace it with the Same Amperes as it came with.

Sencondly (If that doesn't work), Buy a New One IDENTICLE too it.

Take apart the Encloser of the 'Broken' one you have, and Remove the Circuit Board on the Actual Hard Drive inside, and Swap it Out with the Circuit Board on the New One you just Baught. So, you have your Original Hard Disc/New Circuit Board. This Should help, if the Circuit Board was Shocked by the 240V you gave it.

And you Could return the Hard Drive that you Baught, and get your Moeny Back. This way, it Costs you Nothing.

Keep in mind, you need to know how to Carefully take Apart this Device. DO NOT Remove the Bottom Plate of your Drive! This WILL Kill the Hard Disc PERMANENTLY!! Remove ONLY the Circuit Board on one side, if Needed!!

I hope this Helps!!

Answer 2

If it didn't make a noise or smoke or anything like that then the data is still safe but you probably blew the power fuses and circuits on it to no repair or functionality.  The only way to receive the data is to somehow transfer the disk platers to a different hard drive which is near impossible unless a computer expert of some kind can do it.