So: if it makes a scratchy noise that probably means that it's got power - and it's trying to spin up. So it's unlikely to be the power supply if it still does that.
Why it doesn't even spin up on your friend's laptop may be down to driver differences or the drive trying to protect itself.
It seems quite likely that either- something has gone wrong with the motors - so the heads can't move and hence it won't work, or- you've hit a head crash.The latter is the most devastating. Given that it's a portable unit, it's quite likely that is what you've done. Not necessarily I guess, but that's the worst case situation.
If yours is 2.5" what length USB cable are you using, the one you've always used or a new (and quite possibly longer) one? I ask because the smaller formats get their power from the USB cable and if you use a cable thats too long it might not be getting enough power through the cable (as it degrades over the length).
Oooh, SCIENCE time:A portable drive suggests that you get a peak power draw of about 2.5W; at 5V that's 0.5A; USB cable is usually about 28 AWG for each line.So at 2 feet of cable... you'll get a voltage drop of 2.6% or an end voltage of 4.87. 4 feet = 5.2%, 8 feet... etc.Feck knows when it becomes important.
So.. Liverpool University computing services couldn't do anything. Guy in the local laptop repair/data recovery place couldn't do anything. A friend recommended John at Cheadle Data Recovery. He was super helpful on the phone and I'm going to see him on Friday in Stockport for the diagnosis. The cost is fixed at £199 for basic recovery not requiring new componentry or £399 if it does.I am a stupid stupid man.