Seagate Expansion external HDD repair/recovery

[techmot]

Hi, I have a Seagate Expansion 1TB external hard drive (model: ST1000LM024) and the USB connection has broken off on the front. Does anyone know if there is a way to repair it or get the data off it anyway?. I've watched a few videos online and one showed how to solder the part back on, but it seems too complicated to do. Apparently this particular external HDD doesn't have a data port that other HDDs have in order to transfer the drive to an enclosure.

[Alwyn]

Looking at some Google returns for "ST1000LM024" it looks like it is a bog-standard 2.5" HDD with standard SATA connectors. I would say that they would have just plugged the HDD into a tight-fitting socket in the Seagate enclosure you have. There would be a small circuit board that accepts the standard HDD connectors and translates those into the USB socket. All you need to do is open the case and remove the HDD, then buy another external enclosure, insert the HDD and away you go.

Check out this video regarding getting the case open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4sPCyUKSXk

If you're at all worried (eg if you haven't backed up that drive), take it to your computer shop and they'll be able to do it. If it's the only copy, you don't want to mess around.

[techmot]

Looking at some Google returns for "ST1000LM024" it looks like it is a bog-standard 2.5" HDD with standard SATA connectors. I would say that they would have just plugged the HDD into a tight-fitting socket in the Seagate enclosure you have. There would be a small circuit board that accepts the standard HDD connectors and translates those into the USB socket. All you need to do is open the case and remove the HDD, then buy another external enclosure, insert the HDD and away you go.

Check out this video regarding getting the case open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4sPCyUKSXk

If you're at all worried (eg if you haven't backed up that drive), take it to your computer shop and they'll be able to do it. If it's the only copy, you don't want to mess around.

Thanks for that. But according to one video I watched, which looked like the same external HDD that I have, the front where the connector is can't be separated from the HDD so the HDD can be connected to an enclosure.

[The_Doman]

Thanks for that. But according to one video I watched, which looked like the same external HDD that I have, the front where the connector is can't be separated from the HDD so the HDD can be connected to an enclosure.

Did you already open the case?
It is a Samsung/Seagate drive with a regular SATA port.
There should be a very small SATA/USB bridge adapter covered with metal tape.
See post:
Superuser: My Seagate 1TB External Hard Drive's micro USB port is broken

Then use the drive on a regular SATA port or 2.5 Case/USB(3) adapter.

[techmot]

Thanks for that. But according to one video I watched, which looked like the same external HDD that I have, the front where the connector is can't be separated from the HDD so the HDD can be connected to an enclosure.

Did you already open the case?
It is a Samsung/Seagate drive with a regular SATA port.
There should be a very small SATA/USB bridge adapter covered with metal tape.
See post:
Superuser: My Seagate 1TB External Hard Drive's micro USB port is broken

Then use the drive on a regular SATA port or 2.5 Case/USB(3) adapter.

Yes I opened the case, but as far as I can tell, the adapter won't come off.

[Alwyn]

Not beyond the realms of possibility that the USB converter bit has been glued on to the HDD.

Can you post a couple of pics, side-on, end-on, and from the top? They might someone a clue about how to get the USB bit off.

No need to faff around with the "Manage Attachments" thing, just use the "Upload image" button above the Quick Reply box.

[techmot]

Not beyond the realms of possibility that the USB converter bit has been glued on to the HDD.

Can you post a couple of pics, side-on, end-on, and from the top? They might someone a clue about how to get the USB bit off.

No need to faff around with the "Manage Attachments" thing, just use the "Upload image" button above the Quick Reply box.

Here are some pics


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[BW37]

If you haven't solved this yet, let me confirm/support Alwyn's and The_Doman's suggestions from above. I have a failed 2 TB Seagate drive with an identical designed SATA to USB adapter.

The USB adapter WILL just pull off from the standard SATA connector on the drive allowing you to use any standard SATA power and data connection method to access the drive itself. You need only to pry gently with a small flat blade screw driver (or equivalent) at the gaps indicated by the arrows I've added to your picture. Whether the drive or data on it has been damaged is another issue, but the USB adapter WILL just pull off.

BW

[techmot]

If you haven't solved this yet, let me confirm/support Alwyn's and The_Doman's suggestions from above. I have a failed 2 TB Seagate drive with an identical designed SATA to USB adapter.

The USB adapter WILL just pull off from the standard SATA connector on the drive allowing you to use any standard SATA power and data connection method to access the drive itself. You need only to pry gently with a small flat blade screw driver (or equivalent) at the gaps indicated by the arrows I've added to your picture. Whether the drive or data on it has been damaged is another issue, but the USB adapter WILL just pull off.

BW

I managed to detach the USB adapter from the drive. I don't know why the video I watched which showed an identical HDD to the one I have stated that the adapter couldn't be removed and the only way to fix the problem was to solder the USB adapter back on. Maybe it wasn't the same model.

I have used an external HDD enclosure before for my old Toshiba Satellite internal HDD after the laptop was damaged and managed to swap it over to the 2.5" enclosure that I bought cheap, though both my laptop and desktop PC takes quite awhile to read the drive when connected. I took the Toshiba HDD out to test the Seagate HDD, and despite having to remove the screws on the sides to get it to fit into the enclosure, it connected and I was able to view the files on it. I bought an identical enclosure from a local mobile/PC repair shop today as I couldn't be bothered waiting for one to be delivered online. Think I've been ripped off there considering there are loads online for a few quid.

Do I need to keep the silver/metal sheet on that was on the circuit board side or does it not need it?. The HDD from my old Toshiba laptop hasn't got this on, and neither does my older, faulty Iomega external HDD have this.

[BW37]

The video I found that recommended resoldering the connector was for an external 2 physical drive raid "package". Thus to keep the raid functionality you needed to keep the raid/USB board in the system.

As for the aluminum sheet, I'd try to keep it if you can though it might not matter. I assume it is for some kind of EM shielding. Make sure you keep the paper insulating sheet intact between the electronics and the aluminum sheet or you might short something out. If you trim the metal and paper together flush with the end of the drive itself (nothing attached to the SATA connector) you should be fine.

BW

[The_Doman]

Do I need to keep the silver/metal sheet on that was on the circuit board side or does it not need it?. The HDD from my old Toshiba laptop hasn't got this on, and neither does my older, faulty Iomega external HDD have this.

It is not needed.
I have here (too) many spare 2,5" drives with USB adapter/cases, on none of those i have/use extra shielding.
It only risks a possible shortcut if applied incorrectly.

[BW37]

It only risks a possible shortcut if applied incorrectly.

Can't disagree.