Reddit mentions of Wired-Up NEWlink USB 2.0 Docking Station for SATA HDD [PC]

If no one else has any better suggestions, you can pretty easily disassemble that external HDD to get to the 3.5" drive inside.

Once you've got the drive, you could hook it up to the computer with a dock like this.

Assuming it is a reasonably recent hard drive, it'll probably have a SATA connection. If you aren't very confident installing hardware, or only have access to a laptop, one of these might be useful:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWlink-USB-Docking-Station-SATA/dp/B001FB6WPK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332885120&sr=8-2

In terms of software, you'll need something pas passes over the drive with a few write of random data. Just formatting it isn't good enough. CCleaner has tools for wiping hard drives:

http://www.piriform.com/docs/ccleaner/using-ccleaner/wiping-free-disk-space

I suggest you avoid the most basic wipe, and do multiple passes with a more secure algorithm. The highest levels of security are probably overkill for your needs, but three passes of random data should be sufficient.

edit: Also, you might get a better response in a different reddit, this isn't a science question.

Yeah stick it in the freezer for 24 hrs. Make sure its in a ziplock plastic bag with as much air removed as possible. I'd recommend buying a SATA usb cradle. Remove the drive from the outer casing. Shouldn't be too difficult most have easily accessible screws. Freezing it shrinks the moving parts ever so slightly and it should free up long enough to get your data off.

I've resurrected 4 drives like this. The last time I froze the drive and then wrapped the cradle and the drive in a towel and put it in the freezer and plugged it in and shut the door. Worked a treat.

It won't cure all HD failures but in my experience if its making a ticking noise and won't boot then this method has worked for me in the past and only costs around $20 in comparison to the hundreds of dollars that a data recovery service will charge you.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWlink-USB-Docking-Station-SATA/dp/B001FB6WPK/ref=pd_cp_ce_0_img