USB port broke off external hard drive...help!

[yvonne02ii]

The USB port on my external hard drive broke.  It fell off my computer desk while plugged in.  When you shake the hard drive you can hear it rattling inside.  I found some videos on You tube and took the case off of it to expose the power supply and the the usb connector that was rattling inside.  I tried lining it up and plugging it in and it does work! whoo hoo! but how do I keep it on?  Aside from a temporary hold using tape maybe or something else?.... is there a way to 'glue' it back to the 'green board'?

I've included a photo.

Thanks!

[recovering disk space, attachment deleted by admin]

[patio]

Remove the HDD from the enclosure and purchase a new enclosure...

[Salmon Trout]

is there a way to 'glue' it back to the 'green board'?

No. The enclosure is broken, permanently. Given that the fall broke off the USB connector from the board, I wouldn't trust the hard drive long term either. Lesson: don't drop hard drives!

[strollin]

I'd try a couple of dabs of expoxy to attempt to hold it in place.  If you get it working, backup the data on that drive as a precautionary measure.  If the drive as not powered on and spinning when it dropped there's a good chance the drive is OK.

[yvonne02ii]

When I hold it together it does link up, but getting it to stay put is the problem.  My niece stepped on the cord and made it fall =\

[Salmon Trout]

When I hold it together it does link up, but getting it to stay put is the problem.  My niece stepped on the cord and made it fall =\

The tiny soldered links have been broken; now you have metal surfaces touching and open to the air and condensation; it works right now but even if you glue the thing back on these contacts are going to tarnish and get worse and you will get weird data loss and corruption. The enclosure is JUNK. They cost around $15 - $20. Like I said, if the disk itself got jarred it is probably unreliable. Stop the denial. It's finished.

[strollin]

If the electrical connection has been broken then you need to be able to reflow the solder or the connection will corrode as Salmon Trout said.  My suggestion to use expoxy is only useful if the electrical connection remained in tact but the component was physically disconnected.

As has been suggested, you're probably better off buying a new enclosure.

[patio]

I'd try a couple of dabs of expoxy to attempt to hold it in place.  If you get it working, backup the data on that drive as a precautionary measure.  If the drive as not powered on and spinning when it dropped there's a good chance the drive is OK.

This is an absolute silly suggestion...
If he can salvage the HDD a new enclosure is minimal cost.

[strollin]

This is an absolute silly suggestion...
If he can salvage the HDD a new enclosure is minimal cost.

Minimal to you may not be minimal to everyone.