External Hard Drive: HELP!!!

+sweettooth+

My external hard drive has been working fine. In fact, I used it last night with no problems. Now, just a few minutes ago, I went to retrieve something from it, and my computer isn't recognizing my hard drive. Furthermore, when I plugged in my hard drive into various outlets, the green light that usually comes on when I plug it in is not coming on. I'm FREAKING OUT. All of my documents, music, tv shows, etc. are on this hard-drive, and I of course, don't have my things backed up on a second hard-drive. Can anyone help me out here? I'm going to cry myself to sleep if this hard drive just up and died on me.

monkeygirl18

Does the drive have a power adapter that plugs into the wall or is it powered by the USB port from the computer? If it has the the power adapter then chances are that has failed and you are in luck since your data is safe. If you know someone with a VOM you can confirm that. The company who made the drive can sell you a replacement most likely. If not you just need to find one with the same size plug voltage and amperage. Oh yeah this is monkeys hubby

+sweettooth+

Thanks for the reply. My hard drive has a plug that goes into the wall and then a USB cable that plugs into my laptop. I know for sure it's my hard drive that's the problem. I really hope it is just the cables. I'm taking my hard drive into a Best Buy type store tomorrow, so hopefully they'll be able to determine what's going on. Also, what exactly is a VOM?

monkeygirl18

VOM is a voltage meter. GL tomorrow.