I was burning a movie file from my 500 gb WD external USB drive and it fell off my computer tower (about 2 feet) to the floor. My computer froze and when I restarted my drive was not recognized. I plugged it back in about two weeks later and it was recognized but does not work properly. I ran WD diagnostic tests but all failed and I am unable to write zeros to the drive. This is what I got from the WD quick test: Test Option: QUICK TEST Model Number: WDC WD5000AAJB-00UHA0 Serial Number: WD-WCAPW3094836 Firmware Number: 700.N110 Drive Type: USB Capacity: 500.11 GB SMART Status: FAIL Test Result: FAIL Test Error Code: 06-Quick Test on drive 2 did not complete! Status code = 04 (Unknown failed test element), Failure Checkpoint = 64 (SMART Attribute Test) SMART self-test did not complete on drive 2! Test Time: 17:35:52, December 30, 2008 The SMART status is FAIL for "Re-allocated Sector Count" The extended test freezes when it gets to sector 336127. And, as I said before, I am unable to write zeros to the drive. Also, I had only been using the drive for a couple weeks but the warranty is void beacuse my mom gave it to me after it sitting in the box for like a year. Any chance it can be revived?

Click on the Data Recovery link in the Forums list. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

Thanks for the response. Do you recommend I use GetDataBack or DiskExplorer. I really don't need the data that was on there, I just want the drive to be functinal again.

Sounds like the drive is junk. The enclosure may still be reusable if you can get it apart without damaging it. New drive that size will run about $60/70 US dollars. Look at the link below. I suggest that if you are interested in installing a new drive into the enclosure that you contact Western Digital tech support to verify the drive you select is compatible. USB SATA drives usually only run a SATA I speeds and not all the drives are backward compatible. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

I ran GetDataBack and it failed at the same point the WD diag test did.

Ditto above...sounds like the drive was physically damaged when it fell. Probably no way to fix it. And, next time be more careful. :) "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

will do...thanks