The WD Elements external hard drive is a popular storage solution for architects, designers, and professionals who handle large CAD and project files. However, when a WD Elements hard disk spins but is not recognized by the operating system, it can indicate logical corruption, firmware failure, or mechanical issues.
This case study details how we successfully recovered critical architectural project files for an architecture company in Glasgow, after their WD Elements drive stopped being recognized.
As Glasgow Data Recovery, Scotland’s oldest and best data recovery company, we have 25 years of experience in advanced HDD diagnostics, firmware repair, and cleanroom recovery techniques to restore lost data.
The Challenge: WD Elements Drive Spinning But Not Recognized
An architectural firm contacted us after their WD Elements external drive became inaccessible, with the following issues:
- The drive was spinning but was not recognized in Windows/macOS.
- Not appearing in File Explorer or Disk Management.
- Client attempted to connect it to another computer but still could not access files.
- The drive contained critical architectural project files, blueprints, and CAD designs.
Since forcing a failing HDD to work can worsen data loss, a professional recovery approach was needed.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the WD Elements HDD arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and firmware diagnostic. Our findings:
- Firmware corruption – Preventing the drive from being detected.
- Minor bad sectors on the platters – Could cause read/write errors.
- No physical damage to the drive’s motor or PCB – Indicating a logical recovery was possible.
Since firmware corruption prevents HDDs from being recognized, we prioritized firmware repair and sector-level imaging.
The Recovery Process
1. Cleanroom Inspection & Firmware Repair
To restore access to the HDD, we:
- Opened the drive in our ISO 5 Class 100 cleanroom to inspect the read/write heads.
- Used professional firmware repair tools to fix the corrupted firmware.
- Bypassed bad sectors to enable successful data extraction.
2. Creating a Full Disk Image
Since the HDD had sector issues, we:
- Cloned the HDD to prevent further degradation.
- Used specialized imaging software to extract readable sectors.
- Manually rebuilt file system structures to ensure full file recovery.
3. Extracting & Verifying Architectural Files
Once the HDD was successfully repaired, we:
- Recovered all architectural project files, CAD drawings, and blueprints.
- Restored folder structures, AutoCAD (.DWG), and 3D modeling files.
- Transferred the fully recovered data to a secure external backup drive.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our firmware repair and sector imaging techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the lost architectural files, including:
✅ AutoCAD (.DWG) and Revit (.RVT) project files
✅ Architectural blueprints, 3D renderings, and design plans
✅ Organized folder structures restored for easy access
The architecture firm was able to retrieve all critical project files, preventing costly delays and client disruptions.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful HDD recoveries, we are Scotland’s leading data recovery specialists. Our expertise includes:
✔ WD Elements firmware repair & data extraction
✔ Bad sector recovery & logical HDD repair
✔ AutoCAD, Revit, and architectural file retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery services
If your WD Elements drive is spinning but not recognized, not appearing in Windows/macOS, or preventing access to important architectural files, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert HDD data recovery.