USB port is broken off. The local Computer repair store was not able to retrieve data from the hard drive. I trusted WD a little too much and stored ALL of my children’s pictures in it ONLY. I would like to know if the USB port can be replaced or if you have a suggestion for retrieving the pictures from this hard drive? Or should I just try another local computer repair place? I don’t want to take any further risk with these pictures. ALSO - Can I retrieve these pictures/data if I have forgotten or not recorded the password to open the My Book Essential? Is there a way to retrieve the password or bypass it?
From what you described, your only hope is to find someone proficient with a soldering iron to repair the port, or at least solder on a temporary connection or cable.
If your drive was password-protected, I assume you had your PC set to automatically unlock it or you wouldn’t have forgotten it, so when the above repair is made, you can only use that PC to get to the files.
You cannot simply replace the board or chassis because the encryption key is stored on the controller board.
And no, there’s no way to recover the data otherwise.
And it’s not reallly WD’s fault… this could have (and has) happened to any manufacturer’s hardware…
