Kind of urgent tech problem... help?

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by BordomBeThyName

OK, so I'd like to start off by addressing this common stereotype that us robotics people are smart (IE: know how to read). I am currently "breaking the mold" on that one...

It's not about your ability to read. I've lived all my life among engineers, and I know their favorite sayings, such as, "If all else fails, read the directions." Eyesight has something to do with it too--some of those connector labels are nearly invisible, and require both a flashlight AND a magnifying glass. Then, when you can actually see the labels, you have to decipher the little symbols somehow.

...it started to smell like it was burning, and it turned itself off. Sooo... I did the usual troubleshooting, unplugged it, plugged it in, listened to it (no hdd spinning) and plugged and unplugged it a few more times....

So, my question is: is all my data screwed? should I just wait a while and try again later? any advice? please? anyone?

-Matt

P.S. There was no release of magic smoke, so it presumably hasn't "fried" in the traditional sense.

Umm, if it SMELLS like it's burning, then it IS burning... I'd be scared to plug anything back in after any kind of burning. I would want to make certain, first, that it wasn't going to burn any more.

Although I know nothing about fixing hard drives, I have a tidbit of advice related to "magic white smoke" situations. Years ago, after replacing a stinking heat sink, a technician advised me to spray the room with room deodorizer. He said that by covering up the burnt smell, I would be able to detect any new burning smells. Not that we didn't trust his repair work--we just didn't know when the old machine I was using might have something else go wrong.