Help required! Replace faulty usb port on PCB for WD elements portable drive

[pcnovice]

I have a 500gb WD elements portable drive connected by usb port only. Recently I have impossibility slow or non-readable access the drive via the usb port, and keeps blinking white light.

I've sent for quotation for harddisk data recovery, and requires about $900. However, I suspect the harddisk is actually functional but the USB port connect is the one at fault.

I've open up the portable drive to find that it is not like the normal SATA drive adapter, but has the USB directled soldered on the PCB. Thus i cannot use this harddisk into another portable drive housing.

Does anyone know a place whether the usb port can be replaced by a trained person? i really want to extract the data from the drive but it cost so much to do a data extraction through those companies.

 

[kandinsky]

I've sent for quotation for harddisk data recovery, and requires about $900.

Backing up everything NAO.

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If can't find a 'trained person', can consider buying a replacement port and bringing to a electronics repair shop (those who have exp with soldering) and ask.

Check out these links:

Hey guys,

Good news!
My housemate has managed to get the data off from the drive by soldering fine gauge electrical wires to the individual prongs in the micro usb. Those has to be some mad skills given the fact that micro usb is the smallest among all.

http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/damaged-micro-usb-soldered-on-wd-elements-se-1tb-external

http://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?t=17398&start=
https://community.wd.com/t/bridge-boards/68198

Hey guys, I had the same problem with my USB connector breaking off and I was unable to access 1TB of data off my WD My Book 1TB. I have got it working so wanted to let you all know, as I have read all of these forums looking for advice.

First I tried putting the hard drive into an external case - the drive was not accessible and did not work.

Then I tried accessing the data through a recovery program, which was able to see the drive and data - however after 10 hours of reading it - it was encrypted.

Finally I went and bought a new mini USB connector for $1.95 from Altronics in Australia and then went to a local electronics repairer who charged me $40 and was able to solder it on. He told me it is extremely common and they break all the time.

http://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?t=17398&start=40