Windows can detect ext hdd but cannot read

I

iantao99

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Hi guys,

Need you expert advice on how to recover data on ext hdd.

The ext hdd disk was working fine until one day, I changed my mind about transferring a file to the ext hdd. I clicked "Cancel" but it seems to take forever to respond. I absentmindedly forced a shut down as I was in a hurry.
Thereafter, when i tried to access ext hdd, windows cannot read file with normal file explorer.

With "Disk Management", it shows disk as "Basic, Online", "Healthy (OEM Partition)". Right click, drop down box only shows "Help" and not the usual Drive path, assign Drive letter etc.
"Help" brings me to generic Disk Management user manual.

Same case when use CMD line, DiskPart.
Can detect Disk but not Volume.

Pls advice on how do I get HDD working again?
Or at least recover data?

Thanks a million in advance! :D
 
Last edited:
Kyo_kusanagi86

Kyo_kusanagi86

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I have the same issue before... SEAGATE ext hard disk... can't detect... then is actually the HDD failed liao... RMA for 1-1 exchange~
 
luei74

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Check pm Bro!!

Sent from Xiaomi MI MAX 3 using GAGT
 
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iantao99

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iantao99 said:
Hi guys,

Need you expert advice on how to recover data on ext hdd.

The ext hdd disk was working fine until one day, I changed my mind about transferring a file to the ext hdd. I clicked "Cancel" but it seems to take forever to respond. I absentmindedly forced a shut down as I was in a hurry.
Thereafter, when i tried to access ext hdd, windows cannot read file with normal file explorer.

With "Disk Management", it shows disk as "Basic, Online", "Healthy (OEM Partition)". Right click, drop down box only shows "Help" and not the usual Drive path, assign Drive letter etc.
"Help" brings me to generic Disk Management user manual.

Same case when use CMD line, DiskPart.
Can detect Disk but not Volume.
Click to expand...

Need further expert advise.

Tried bro szeli recommended Photorec and Testdisk.

Outcome of Testdisk.
It can detect folder and file names on my ext HDD.
But when I select copy files, it fails.
If it can detect file names, does that mean no problem with physical disk?
I copied an image file of disk, but couldn't find a option to restore.
Any bros can advise?

Outcome for QPhotorec.
Data recovery seems it only recover only deleted files.
Files not deleted are not recovered.
Did I miss any steps here?

Outcome for Disk Management
Can detect disk but on right click, no option to Assign Drive Letter in drop down box as it reflects single option "Help".
I noticed my boot drive :Recovery Partition Volume has the same option.

Disk Part
Can list disk and partition of ext HDD but not volume.
Tried to assign drive letter or mount volume.
It gave error to select volume first, which none is detected in the first place.

Any expert can advice fix? Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Koenig168

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That's a very old drive. Could be a USB-SATA controller card failure.

I suggest you shuck it i.e. remove the HDD from the casing and plug directly to PC. (It uses a SATA interface.) This will make data recovery easier.

Do remember NOT to partition the drive.
 
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iantao99

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Koenig168 said:
That's a very old drive. Could be a USB-SATA controller card failure.

I suggest you shuck it i.e. remove the HDD from the casing and plug directly to PC. (It uses a SATA interface.) This will make data recovery easier.

Do remember NOT to partition the drive.
Click to expand...

Tried the ext HDD casing with different disk.
Seems no problem with casing / controller card as can detect the good disks.
 
Last edited:
C

cscs3

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Koenig168 said:
That's a very old drive. Could be a USB-SATA controller card failure.

I suggest you shuck it i.e. remove the HDD from the casing and plug directly to PC. (It uses a SATA interface.) This will make data recovery easier.

Do remember NOT to partition the drive.
Click to expand...

If it is those 2.5" type, it may be USB power not enough. Try those with due USB type A (big connector type) plug. You need 2 USB port to provide enough 5v power to harddisk.
 
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iantao99

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cscs3 said:
If it is those 2.5" type, it may be USB power not enough. Try those with due USB type A (big connector type) plug. You need 2 USB port to provide enough 5v power to harddisk.
Click to expand...

yes, it's a 2.5".
yes, i had the 2 USB port plugged in for electrical power.
 
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peterchan75

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Try GetDataBack from Runtime Software. It cost US$79. I used this software many years ago.
 
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existential_reality

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If it's a Harddisk issue firstly try not to move it around too much, the more you move it on or off the higher the chance of damage. If you have to move it do it carefully facing upwards.

You can try using a another computer to read the drive (laptop?), my friend came to with a WD that had similar issues. Oddly when I placed the drive upside down it could read and copy the data out. It was delicate process though sometimes the drive would have read error and stop so we copied things out piecemeal and worked it till all the data was out.

Additionally if the drive is mechanically faulty I don't think the software will help too much, especially as you mentioned the folder structure can be detected and its not like you formatted it or anything.
 
szeli

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iantao99 said:
Need further expert advise.

Tried bro szeli recommended Photorec and Testdisk.

Outcome of Testdisk.
It can detect folder and file names on my ext HDD.
But when I select copy files, it fails.
If it can detect file names, does that mean no problem with physical disk?
I copied an image file of disk, but couldn't find a option to restore.
Any bros can advise?

Outcome for QPhotorec.
Data recovery seems it only recover only deleted files.
Files not deleted are not recovered.
Did I miss any steps here?

Outcome for Disk Management
Can detect disk but on right click, no option to Assign Drive Letter in drop down box as it reflects single option "Help".
I noticed my boot drive :Recovery Partition Volume has the same option.

Disk Part
Can list disk and partition of ext HDD but not volume.
Tried to assign drive letter or mount volume.
It gave error to select volume first, which none is detected in the first place.

Any expert can advice fix? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

u should specify a different disk to restore e files to.
 
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iantao99

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In the TestDisk app, there is a function to “Create” image file but I could not find the function to “Restore “.

Pls advise where to find function?

szeli said:
u should specify a different disk to restore e files to.
Click to expand...

existential_reality said:
Additionally if the drive is mechanically faulty I don't think the software will help too much, especially as you mentioned the folder structure can be detected and its not like you formatted it or anything.
Click to expand...

The WD diagnostic test app did extended test and passed the disk with no errors.
I assume that means no physical damage.

The cause of this malfunction was after I force shutdown the disk after i cancelled a file transfer midway.
So it seems to be a software error.

The above are my assumption. Do correct me if i'm wrong.
 
Last edited:
szeli

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iantao99 said:
In the TestDisk app, there is a function to “Create” image file but I could not find the function to “Restore “.

Pls advise where to find function?





The WD diagnostic test app did extended test and passed the disk with no errors.
I assume that means no physical damage.

The cause of this malfunction was after I force shutdown the disk after i cancelled a file transfer midway.
So it seems to be a software error.

The above are my assumption. Do correct me if i'm wrong.
Click to expand...

do a check on YouTube, what I remember is select disk/partition then specify restore destination then go. I don’t remember selecting create image file.
 
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