My hardrive has recently stopped working - for an unknown reason
I really do not understand, since I safety remove it from the computer.
the files stored are important therefore I strongly do not want to reformat.
is there a way of getting my data back?

What exactly happens?

If you plug it in is it not detected?

If you plug it in is a New Device detected?

Is it seen in Disk Management?

the device can be seen through my computer, but the hardrive is labelled with characters which are unrecognisable. and it will not allow me to access the hardrive.

How is it listed under Disk Management?

> right click My Computer > Manage > Disk Management

error "can't read file" - currupted.
0bytes.

Not looking good.

What is the make and model of the drive?

hitachi

Drive Fitness Test:

http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

Not sure if this works with external drives but worth a try.

this step is confusing.
http://i27.tinypic.com/2dabswm.jpg

It is asking for a floppy disk.

It is saying all data on the floppy (if any) will we erased.