Computer help needed.

[fiddle mike]

My daughter is in college in Austin, TX. She's been using a 500 GB Western Digital "My Passport" external hard drive and the micro USB port failed.  She's told the port cannot be replaced or repaired and, reportedly, has a history of failure.  She is looking for a  replacement drive that utilizes a standard (rather than micro) USB port. I'm completely out of my depth  so  if someone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.

[CajunRider]

If the USB port went out, then the hard drive is fine. 

Pull it, see what kind of drive it is... IDE or SATA... send me a picture if you're not sure at ElecEngr <<at>> cox >>dot<< net (remove the obvious anti-spam pieces). 

Than get one of these that is the right version:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1086960&Sku=M501-1030

OR...

Search this same web site for your perfect drive... they got plenty to choose from and usually good prices. 

[fiddle mike]

If the USB port went out, then the hard drive is fine. 

Pull it, see what kind of drive it is... IDE or SATA... send me a picture if you're not sure at ElecEngr <<at>> cox >>dot<< net (remove the obvious anti-spam pieces). 

 I am in Corpus Christi and can't lay my hands on the device.
Daughter is told the micro USB cannot be serviced but has contacted a comapny in Austin that can retrieve the data on drive in question.

Thanks for the link.  I'l e-mail your response to her and see what she says.

[Jess Tolbirt]

take the hard drive out of the case and install it into the computer or as stated above get another case to put it in,,,
the drive is good its just the case its in that failed,, well thats it in laymans terms anyway..

[fiddle mike]

take the hard drive out of the case and install it into the computer or as stated above get another case to put it in,,,
the drive is good its just the case its in that failed,, well thats it in laymans terms anyway..

Thanks, Jess.  I'll pass that on, as well.