[SOLVED] Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive

Adamson27 · 04-13-2008, 06:49 PM

Hello,

My problem seems very similar to the one Grendel824 had and was solved by Eneles in 12/07. I got as far as Step G in Test disk, but am unsure how to interpret the results or what to do next (my step E result doesn't look exactly the same as Grendel's)? So I thought to consult with you guys here before I risk screwing anything up.

step E.JPG Step G.JPG Disk Management.JPG

My external HD: Western Digital My Book 320GB, 7200 rpm, connected via USB 2.0 (has firewire capability as well - though I've never used it). Has only 1 partition that is Fat 32 (no other partitions and I've never messed with the partitions). Has over 250GB of my files/data on there.

My Comp: Sony Viao laptop, running windows XP Pro SP2.

Description of problem: The external HD was working just fine for a year and a half. I turned it off/disconnected it a few nights ago as I do from time to time (though usually just leave it in/on). Then the next time I reconnected and turned it on - bam! The drive letter shows up in "my computer", but won't let me in and wants me to format it (it also shows up in device manager as healthy/active - it is the F drive). Tried connecting it to my other comp (also a Sony Viao, different model though) with the same results. Using a demo version of Active@ partition recovery I can see my files/folders are still there (sigh of relief). Didn't want to do anything (write to the drive in any way) until consulting here first. I'd like to keep those files if possible.

Thank in advance for any help you can offer.

**Deleted090308** · 04-15-2008, 02:23 AM

Welcome to TSF.

Run TestDisk again:

A. At the first window, select “No Log” and press the <Enter> key.
B. Select which drive to analyse, choose “Proceed” and <Enter>.
C. Select partition type – Intel if it’s a PC then <Enter>.
D. Choose Advanced > press <Enter>.
E. Choose Boot > press <Enter>.

New screen - please post back with a screenshot.

Adamson27 · 04-15-2008, 11:37 AM

Thank you for replying!

Ok, here is what I received at that next test disk screen:
Step adv boot.JPG

**Deleted090308** · 04-15-2008, 04:19 PM

At that screen - select "Backup BS" >> continue, then close TestDisk and restart the computer.

Then - follow the steps in post #2 again.

Adamson27 · 04-15-2008, 04:26 PM

Ok stupid question here, but when I restart should I disconnect the external hard drive in question first, or leave it connected? Just for reference, I've restarted in the past with it connected (when it was functioning properly).

**Deleted090308** · 04-15-2008, 04:35 PM

No - finish TD - then "safely remove" the HDD >> restart >> connect the HDD again.

Adamson27 · 04-15-2008, 04:49 PM

Pardon my noobishness again, but do I copy over the old boot sector Y/N? (this is the screen I receive after selecting "Backup BS.")

Boot Question.JPG

Really appreciating your help on this Eneles

**Deleted090308** · 04-15-2008, 04:53 PM

Yes. The backup BS is OK - it will overwrite the corrupt one.

Adamson27 · 04-15-2008, 05:29 PM

YES!!! The moment I reconnected the HDD (after restarting), windows recognized it, went into autoplay and I can access all my files again. Everything appears to be back to normal! Do I still need to go back and do the steps in post # 2 with test disk again (as you mention in post #4)?

Also, was this incident a sign that my HD is dying or something (the WD lifeguard diagnostics thing said it was functioning ok)? Should I like never disconnect it or turn it off until I buy a suitable replacement or something? Or do you think the HD is still ok to use? (judging by the other oh thousand posts with this same exact problem, it does seem to a fairly common occurence on WD drives)

BTW --> You rule Eneles! Thanks again.

**Deleted090308** · 04-15-2008, 05:34 PM

You're welcome.

If you can see and access all your files there's no need to do anything further with TD.

Don't think your HDD is dying - just to make sure you can run WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows.

And - scan the drive for malware.

Adamson27 · 04-15-2008, 06:28 PM

Yes. Just to update you I ran the Lifeguard Diag. program and everything checked out ok. Currently running the a-squared free scan for malware (as per your advice), I will also run Nod 32 antivirus scan after that finishes.

Seriously, forget Hilary, Mcain, or Obama... I say Eneles for President! Because he fixed my hard drive. Can they do that? I think not...

**Deleted090308** · 04-15-2008, 06:34 PM

No, they can't - I'm not American.

06-05-2008, 08:25 AM

eneles! You're amazing!!!! THANKYOOOOOOOOOOOU!!!!

I was afraid that all my files we're going to dissapear until I passed by this! THANKYOU!~

**Deleted090308** · 06-05-2008, 11:53 AM

I'm glad you got it fixed.

04-13-2008, 06:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adamson27 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP Pro 2002 SP2	[SOLVED] Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive Hello, My problem seems very similar to the one Grendel824 had and was solved by Eneles in 12/07. I got as far as Step G in Test disk, but am unsure how to interpret the results or what to do next (my step E result doesn't look exactly the same as Grendel's)? So I thought to consult with you guys here before I risk screwing anything up. step E.JPG Step G.JPG Disk Management.JPG My external HD: Western Digital My Book 320GB, 7200 rpm, connected via USB 2.0 (has firewire capability as well - though I've never used it). Has only 1 partition that is Fat 32 (no other partitions and I've never messed with the partitions). Has over 250GB of my files/data on there. My Comp: Sony Viao laptop, running windows XP Pro SP2. Description of problem: The external HD was working just fine for a year and a half. I turned it off/disconnected it a few nights ago as I do from time to time (though usually just leave it in/on). Then the next time I reconnected and turned it on - bam! The drive letter shows up in "my computer", but won't let me in and wants me to format it (it also shows up in device manager as healthy/active - it is the F drive). Tried connecting it to my other comp (also a Sony Viao, different model though) with the same results. Using a demo version of Active@ partition recovery I can see my files/folders are still there (sigh of relief). Didn't want to do anything (write to the drive in any way) until consulting here first. I'd like to keep those files if possible. Thank in advance for any help you can offer.

04-15-2008, 02:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive Welcome to TSF. Run TestDisk again: A. At the first window, select “No Log” and press the <Enter> key. B. Select which drive to analyse, choose “Proceed” and <Enter>. C. Select partition type – Intel if it’s a PC then <Enter>. D. Choose Advanced > press <Enter>. E. Choose Boot > press <Enter>. New screen - please post back with a screenshot.

04-15-2008, 11:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Adamson27 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP Pro 2002 SP2	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive Thank you for replying! Ok, here is what I received at that next test disk screen: Step adv boot.JPG Last edited by Adamson27; 04-15-2008 at 11:54 AM.

04-15-2008, 04:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive At that screen - select "Backup BS" >> continue, then close TestDisk and restart the computer. Then - follow the steps in post #2 again.

04-15-2008, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Adamson27 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP Pro 2002 SP2	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive Ok stupid question here, but when I restart should I disconnect the external hard drive in question first, or leave it connected? Just for reference, I've restarted in the past with it connected (when it was functioning properly).

04-15-2008, 04:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive No - finish TD - then "safely remove" the HDD >> restart >> connect the HDD again.

04-15-2008, 04:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Adamson27 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP Pro 2002 SP2	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive Pardon my noobishness again, but do I copy over the old boot sector Y/N? (this is the screen I receive after selecting "Backup BS.") Boot Question.JPG Really appreciating your help on this Eneles Last edited by Adamson27; 04-15-2008 at 04:51 PM.

04-15-2008, 04:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive Yes. The backup BS is OK - it will overwrite the corrupt one.

04-15-2008, 05:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Adamson27 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP Pro 2002 SP2	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive YES!!! The moment I reconnected the HDD (after restarting), windows recognized it, went into autoplay and I can access all my files again. Everything appears to be back to normal! Do I still need to go back and do the steps in post # 2 with test disk again (as you mention in post #4)? Also, was this incident a sign that my HD is dying or something (the WD lifeguard diagnostics thing said it was functioning ok)? Should I like never disconnect it or turn it off until I buy a suitable replacement or something? Or do you think the HD is still ok to use? (judging by the other oh thousand posts with this same exact problem, it does seem to a fairly common occurence on WD drives) BTW --> You rule Eneles! Thanks again.

04-15-2008, 05:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive You're welcome. If you can see and access all your files there's no need to do anything further with TD. Don't think your HDD is dying - just to make sure you can run WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows. And - scan the drive for malware. Last edited by Deleted090308; 04-15-2008 at 05:35 PM.

04-15-2008, 06:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
Adamson27 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP Pro 2002 SP2	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive Yes. Just to update you I ran the Lifeguard Diag. program and everything checked out ok. Currently running the a-squared free scan for malware (as per your advice), I will also run Nod 32 antivirus scan after that finishes. Seriously, forget Hilary, Mcain, or Obama... I say Eneles for President! Because he fixed my hard drive. Can they do that? I think not...

04-15-2008, 06:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive No, they can't - I'm not American.

06-05-2008, 08:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
Knuxsega Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Re: [SOLVED] Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive eneles! You're amazing!!!! THANKYOOOOOOOOOOOU!!!! I was afraid that all my files we're going to dissapear until I passed by this! THANKYOU!~

06-05-2008, 11:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: [SOLVED] Suddenly Unformatted External Hard Drive I'm glad you got it fixed.