WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now

Plaegue · 07-07-2008, 08:46 PM

My HD: Western Digital 160GB, 7200 rpm, connected via firewire. Has only 1 partition that was NTFS, had over 100GB of my files/data on there (family pictures and videos).

Description of problem: The external HD was working just fine (internal HD using a enclosure). I turned it off/on frequently to save pics from my digital camara and upload them to internet to share with relatives) but I notice that recently there was issues getting the HD to start and be recognized by windows. A couple of on/off will make it work. Then during the past weekend, I decided that before it gets worse to put the HD inside my machi. This was a IDE HD and all no IDE connectors were available so I decided to get a IDE to Sata converter. I installed the HD and it took a long time before windows recognized it, after that it asked to format it. It was then when I decided to take if off the machine.

The drive letter showed 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). I deciided to replaced my IDE dvd burner for a Sata one in order to free up a IDE connector. I'd like to keep those files if possible.

Thank in advance for your time and any help you can offer.

update: I added some images

**Deleted090308** · 07-07-2008, 11:25 PM

Welcome to TSF.

Did you follow the steps here: http://www.techsupportforum.com/1163140-post1.html

If that didn't work:
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.

How to post a screenshot.

Plaegue · 07-08-2008, 12:34 AM

After following the first set of instructions I got this:
After_testdisk.jpg

Since it didnt work, I tried the second set of instructiions, here is the screenshot:

testdisk_Boot.jpg

I want to say thank you again for your help

Plaegue · 07-08-2008, 01:27 AM

I forgot to show you this image .... something happened with the allocation, now it shows as 2.

Disk_Management_2.jpg

**Deleted090308** · 07-08-2008, 09:18 AM

At this screen, select "Rebuild BS" and continue.

Reboot, disconnect "unnecessary" HDDs and post a new screenshot of Disk management.

Plaegue · 07-08-2008, 06:05 PM

I did what you advise but it didnt work. I appreciate you time and help but I think I will have to buy some kinf of recovery foles software or something. If that does not work, I guess I will have to conttract proffesional recovery services.

well , here is the screen shot anyway.

Disk_Management_3.jpg

by the way ... how good is "Active Partition Recovery Enterprise (includes file recovery software)?

Plaegue · 07-08-2008, 10:04 PM

I used the Active File Recovery software and I was able to recover most of the files. Thank you again. I wont keep working on this anymore. I have no ay to verify if all the files were recover (over 5 years of family pics) but I will leave it like this.

Thank you again for the time and help

**Deleted090308** · 07-08-2008, 10:55 PM

OK. I hope you got all your files back.

07-07-2008, 08:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Plaegue Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Posts: 5 OS: Win Vista Ultimate SP1 x64	WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now My HD: Western Digital 160GB, 7200 rpm, connected via firewire. Has only 1 partition that was NTFS, had over 100GB of my files/data on there (family pictures and videos). Description of problem: The external HD was working just fine (internal HD using a enclosure). I turned it off/on frequently to save pics from my digital camara and upload them to internet to share with relatives) but I notice that recently there was issues getting the HD to start and be recognized by windows. A couple of on/off will make it work. Then during the past weekend, I decided that before it gets worse to put the HD inside my machi. This was a IDE HD and all no IDE connectors were available so I decided to get a IDE to Sata converter. I installed the HD and it took a long time before windows recognized it, after that it asked to format it. It was then when I decided to take if off the machine. The drive letter showed 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). I deciided to replaced my IDE dvd burner for a Sata one in order to free up a IDE connector. I'd like to keep those files if possible. Thank in advance for your time and any help you can offer. update: I added some images Last edited by Plaegue; 07-07-2008 at 09:05 PM.

07-07-2008, 11:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now Welcome to TSF. Did you follow the steps here: http://www.techsupportforum.com/1163140-post1.html If that didn't work: 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. How to post a screenshot.

07-08-2008, 12:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Plaegue Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Posts: 5 OS: Win Vista Ultimate SP1 x64	Re: WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now After following the first set of instructions I got this: After_testdisk.jpg Since it didnt work, I tried the second set of instructiions, here is the screenshot: testdisk_Boot.jpg I want to say thank you again for your help

07-08-2008, 01:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Plaegue Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Posts: 5 OS: Win Vista Ultimate SP1 x64	Re: WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now I forgot to show you this image .... something happened with the allocation, now it shows as 2. Disk_Management_2.jpg

07-08-2008, 09:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now At this screen, select "Rebuild BS" and continue. Reboot, disconnect "unnecessary" HDDs and post a new screenshot of Disk management.

07-08-2008, 06:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Plaegue Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Posts: 5 OS: Win Vista Ultimate SP1 x64	Re: WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now I did what you advise but it didnt work. I appreciate you time and help but I think I will have to buy some kinf of recovery foles software or something. If that does not work, I guess I will have to conttract proffesional recovery services. well , here is the screen shot anyway. Disk_Management_3.jpg by the way ... how good is "Active Partition Recovery Enterprise (includes file recovery software)?

07-08-2008, 10:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Plaegue Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US Posts: 5 OS: Win Vista Ultimate SP1 x64	Re: WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now I used the Active File Recovery software and I was able to recover most of the files. Thank you again. I wont keep working on this anymore. I have no ay to verify if all the files were recover (over 5 years of family pics) but I will leave it like this. Thank you again for the time and help

07-08-2008, 10:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: WD 160 GB HDD shows as unformatted now OK. I hope you got all your files back.