Cheers StoneMtn. Pumpkinhead I've heard of the freezer trick but I don't think I wanna try that just yet. I have some recovery software ( http://www.runtime.org/ ) which I am going to try in the next few days, once I grab my 500 GB external. If you have a different app, I might be interested if mine doesn't work, thanks. Thanks phishtaper, I'll check that place out, I have a lead already I'm checking into but I'll keep that in mind. bouche, As mentioned in my first post, I've already slaved it into another computer to no avail. I know what the error is, its not physical. And with HDDs so cheap as it is, no need for ebay, but thanks.