Is my hard drive fried? or is it repairable? help :(?

If it's not powering up you could try removing the HDD from the case many external HDD's are just 2.5"/3.5" internal hdd's in a case so if you fried the case with the power cable then it's quite possible that the hdd inside the case is fine. I do know that some models of external HDD actually use a soldered on usb to sata bridge so if that's the case then you can't get away with it without replacing that board off a similar model.

If you can get it out the case and it's a sata drive you could try plugging it directly into the computer or using esata and a power cable. Alternatively if you don't mind spending $20 on what may be a dead hdd you could just buy another external case (one without a hdd in it) computer shops sell them for between about $10 and $30 - your HDD will likely be a 3.5" drive so prob is about $20 iirc for a case to suit.

Btw if it's clicking or not spinning up properly - this can be caused by either a damaged controller board or being underpowered - I recently had a drive that i feared dead then realised that i was using a too long thin usb cable to hook it up, i tried a thicker, shorter Y cable and it worked perfectly no clicking.

I'd suggest trying to take the drive out and test it connecting it directly to a pc or getting another case if those are an option.

I would listen for clicks, that would signal a dmaged drive, if you click the windows logo or start at the bottom left type device manager and click it when it comes up, in the list there may be a device with an exclamation mark or yellow sheild. This would be your device. Right click and it should say the problem. Then click properties, and update driver. If this doesnt work, or its not there its probably the HDD

When you plug in there may be an audable noise like a dunn dunn, Its hard to explain :), if there is its working its a problem with your computer, so ID try a reboot.

Sorry if I sound patronising, Im not sure of your computer skill :).

If I can help any more message me and Ill do my best :)

put your ear to the case of the HDD and see if you can hear it running, if it is might need a driver installed for it to recognize your hard drive, like most Maxtor HDD's. But yeah it might be fried too.

oh yeah, you'll hear a humming sound.

have you ever tried pluging that demanding force into your computing device and seeing if it opens???? in case you do plug it in it would pop up asserting an exterior demanding force is attached and you will open it like in case you have been beginning a usb force

if you smell burnt plastic, you should probably get it checked out by an expert technician, but don't take my word for it.