Fallen Hard Drive :'(

OK...

My external hard drive just fell by accident...while it was running. I know..this isn't a good start lol...

Now when I try to start it up, it spins a few times and then fails.

Is there *any* way I might be able to get the files back? Even if it means paying someone to open it and retrieve them themselves...

Or is that not possible?

aaaah I can't believe I let it fall...how stupid is that

Thanks for the help...

Jamie

All I can suggest is what I would do:
1. Open up the external case and extract the hard drive. Gently shake it from side to side beside your ear to hear if any parts inside are rattling.
2. Try a USB-ATA or USB-SATA adaptor kit (cost US$20) to connect the 'bare' hard drive to your computer. It may be that something inside the external enclosure was damaged, ie. the bridge controller, not the hard drive itself. If the drive is working, then you can extract the required data yourself, and then put that drive back into a new enclosure.

If however the drive platters and/or read-write heads are damaged, then possibly a specialist technician may be able to get the data off, but it's an expensive exercise.