Simpletech external HD - windows doesn't recognise & 'thumping/clicking' noise - HELP

[catwalk4]

I have a 160GB Simpletech external drive (their website & support are USELESS), which is basically a lap top hard drive with a board on it for USB connection.....

I used it to back up my really old computer (with vista) since it kept crashing (cuz of vista). Of course I thought everything was ok, and there's over 10 years of files on there that I can't get back

Anyway, I go to transfer the files to my new laptop (also running vista but working well) a few weeks later and...... nothing. There's a blue & red light on the drive, which flash for a split second when I connect the drive, then nothing. Windows will NOT recognise the drive.

Then I realised it was also making a soft clicking sound, right from the drive, and unplugged it. It's been sitting ever since and I feel sick knowing my LIFE is stuck on that damned hard drive!

I can try that 'getdata' program.... however, does it work if the drive won't come up? Is there anything I can do??? Sorry if there is a lack of details, I can add more if there are any questions.

Can I take the drive out of the casing, take off the board & put it in my laptop.... as a last resort anyway?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[GDH]

Hi,

Unfortunately a thumping / clicking noise from your drive means that it has a physical problem and you will not be able to use a data recovery software solution to get your files back.

You will need to send the drive to a hardware recovery service. If you would like to get a free quote you can use the link on this page: Data Recovery Service: Hardware data recovery service by GetData