MyBook won't power up. Can I test the drive by plugging into desktop as if a 2nd drive?

WD External Drives External Drives for PC
#1

I have not used MyBook in 4 years. It will not power up. Best Buy tried with another adaptor; did not power up.

I stripped the drive from its case. It is a ( 1TB )  WD10EACS-00ZJB0 (WD Caviar SE16) made 9/30/2007.

Using an old Dell Dimension 4550, XP Pro, I would like to plug into hard drive ribbon as if it were a second hard drive.

Appreciate advice, or condolences, from others who have tried this.

Thanks,

JoeDille150

#2

Hi JoeDille150, welcome to the WD Community. Yes you can, but note that this is not supported and it wont be possible to recover your files. You can format it and use it like a normal internal drive. 

#3

If this is a drive that came with Smartware it will be hardware encrypted by the board with the USB port and you will not be able to get useful data.

Joe