Data Recovery Service and Software Experts

My Western Digital 500 GB USB/FIREWIRE My Book External Hard Drive took a break…

Vista reports it as a Bad Block.

It will not recognize using USB/FIREWIRE, and Windows Explorer or My Computer will not load with the drive attached.

Windows Vista or XP will not load upon reboot with the drive attached.

I have removed the external drive out of the My Book casing and attempted bypassing the USB electronic control of the housing and just manage it through a straight cable. Same exact symptoms above.

I had a “Data Recovery Guy” charge me $100 to say that he can’t even scan it. I did some Internet research and there seems to be a lot of software available for < $100 that seems to do this.

Does ANYONE have any suggestions on software for me to try, or a shop that has had success, or anything… I am obviously looking for a reasonable price. This “DRG” stated it’d be a minimum of $2,000 for him to send my drive to a clean room recovery. The drive is in pristine condition. It has never left my computer desk, but was used daily.

There is approximately 420GB of movies, programs, mp3’s and pictures. Yes, unfortunately, this was my backup drive… I kept minimal pictures, mp3’s and movies on my actual laptop.

Any recommendations, family discounts, will work for beer options are greatly appreciated. This data is important, but with the state of the economy and the holidays, not capable of a $2,000 hit at this time.

Thanks much, in advance…