I would say he did something to break the HDD like, dropped it or shook the computer around. Or it could have legitimately spontaneously just stopped working...
I found one on amazon similar to the one i got. I don't know about where you live but i also saw them at Walmart.
http://www.amazon.com/4-Port-USB-2-0-White-Mini/dp/B001QDWUIU
Its only $5 and it works pretty good for the price. Its shaped like a person and has a face, so when you plug it in a red light, lights up as if it is its heart.