External Hard Drive not recoginized

turpdog · 07-10-2008, 05:47 PM

Hi eneles,

I apologize for posting on a closed ticket. I searched through all the forums and I finally have come to a standstill.

My problem involves a WD 500GB Essential Edition that asked to be formatted even though it has been in use for a while. This was a problem that I found in the forums. My Desktop is a Dell Dimension 4600, 80GB that is now 4yrs old. I have never re-installed the OS (Win XP HomeEdition) during this time and I think that is needed too.

I ran TestDisk as described in another ticket and the results led me to believe I had a bad boot sector. So I tried to follow the steps in [SOLVED] External HD not formatted all of a sudden to repair FAT but then TestDisk could not find the 500GB hard drive anymore. Disk Management can not find it as well. The hard drive was there before but is now gone. I switched USB cables, different USB ports, on a different laptop, powered down, totally unplugged the desktop and put everything back and nothing works to show the drive again.

Any clue as to what the issue can be? The drive use to show up so I did not think it was physically damaged, could anything of happened from running TestDisk? Am I screwed? Any help or expertise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you I hope.

turpdog · 07-11-2008, 11:09 AM

Could the problem be a bad controller, may the hard disk still be holding all of the info and files? That is where I am at now. Does my previous post lead anyone to think that since the drive was recogized before and now no computer can recoginize the drive that it may be a bad controller?

If it is a bad controller what would my next corse of action be?

myogesh85 · 07-11-2008, 02:35 PM

Hi,

This is a tech from Western digital
what i would suggest you to do is if the drive is under warranty please contact the data recovery partners and later you can replace the drive but if not you can rip open the cover on the drive and try connecting the SATA drive to any computer and recover the data

I beleive this will solve this problem

turpdog · 07-12-2008, 06:03 PM

OK myogesh85, thank you for replying to me. I really do appreciate it. I was hoping to hear that the data could be saved. I have found a page that explains how to take apart the WD MyBook Essential Edition 500GB here:

http://rebootdaily.blogspot.com/2007...l-my-book.html

Worked like a charm, Awesome instructions and had great pictures. Now I have to see if my Dell Dimension 4600 will take the SATA drive. Not sure until I open it up. Will post back with my results.

turpdog · 07-13-2008, 03:05 PM

I have the drive in my desktop, power to it and using a serial ATA 2.0 cable to attach the SATA drive to the mobo. Still can't find the drive anywhere on my desktop.

Do I need to change something in BIOS to be able to access the drive or do I need to install a driver or something? Trying to see if I can recover data off of the SATA drive. Never really had to do any of this stuff so am at a standstill. Any suggestions on how to access the drive, please....

**Deleted090308** · 07-14-2008, 09:36 AM

Hi,

Is the other HDD in the Dell a SATA?

Most likely, the WD is a SATA II drive (post the model number) - try using a jumper to make it run in SATA I mode.

turpdog · 07-14-2008, 01:23 PM

Hi Eneles,

No, the Dell Diminsion 4600 is four years old so it has a Maxtor 80GB IDE drive. The mobo has two SATA slots, one called SATA one and I forget what the other slot said. I tried both.

The WD 500GB SATA is:

WD Caviar SE16
model number WD 5000KS

I see by googling the model number that it is a Serial ATA-300. So, is what you are saying is that my mobo is older and can only handle a Serial ATA/150 interface? Does that mean my ATA 2.0 cable won't cut it? Would you know what I need to do if I need to make the drive go down to 150? Would this involve jumpers?

One more thing, I think I am locked out of BIOS. During start up I have the options of F2 for set up and F12 for Booting. Only F12 works which makes me think I am locked out of BIOS. Will that be a problem?

Thanks again for looking into my issue, I really appreciate the effort.

**Deleted090308** · 07-14-2008, 09:30 PM

You can keep on using the same cable.

But, the motherboard is probably not able to handle SATA II speed.
The HDD should be "throttled" with a jumper to run as a SATA I (150MB/s) - OPT1 in the picture below:

I don't know why you're "locked out" of BIOS - have you tried F1, Del etc?
What happens when you press F2?

Clearing CMOS might help:
Get rid of static electricity by touching a radiator or bare metal on the computer case.
Then unplug the computer from the wall outlet and open the case.
Remove the little "coin-like" battery on the motherboard.
Move the "clear CMOS" jumper on the motherboard from pins 1&2 to pins 2&3.
Wait 30 minutes.
Replace the jumper to pins 1&2.
Put the battery back.
Close the case and start the computer.
Enter BIOS and choose "Load setup defaults" (or something similar) - save and exit BIOS.

turpdog · 07-16-2008, 02:56 PM

Hello eneles,

Sorry I don't have anything new to post, I gave the hard drive to a coworker a couple of days ago and have not heard if he was able to access it. I intend to let everyone know what the results are because I could not find a ticket like this to review and not bother yourself.

As for the BIOS issue, F1 doesn't do anything, F2 does nothing, Del makes a beeping noise and I have not tried any other buttons. F12 gets me into Booting options. When I keep pressing F2 repeatedly the keyboard locks up when the log in screen comes up.

If I clear the CMOS it can not do anything detrimental to my system? Probably not since you suggested it...

**Deleted090308** · 07-16-2008, 05:39 PM

Clearing CMOS won't do any harm.

turpdog · 07-19-2008, 01:00 PM

No luck with BIOS, and my friend was able to have his computer recognize the drive, seeing my computer had lost it. It is giving him the same message of the drive needing to be formated just as I had seen which made me start the TestDisc process. I hope to let you know that the data was recoverable after the weekend. Since my computer is having such difficulty I am hoping the friend will be able to copy the drive else where for me. Will let you know.

**Deleted090308** · 07-19-2008, 01:16 PM

OK - good luck.

Concerning the BIOS - Dell has a few different key combinations to enter BIOS.
Have a look here: http://www.techsupportforum.com/cont...e/Tips/48.html

~~wiseleo~~ · 07-23-2008, 01:20 PM

OK, so we see the drive on another system...

Good news!

Now, image/clone it. Then run your utilities, if necessary. It might simply boot up once you complete the process. Don't try to fix a dead drive as it's too risky.

Good luck :)

turpdog · 07-29-2008, 12:09 PM

Thank you eneles and wiseleo for the help,

My friend that took the drive has little to tell me. Taking forever, which has dwindled any glimmers of hope of retriveing any data. I could not get it to be recognized on my desktop which led me to let a buddie try to access it. He was able to recognize the drive, not right away mind you, and it was asking to be rebooted again.

I have started copying my music again, luckily I have most of the cds to copy from, and have given in to the realization that everything else is lost. You should be proud of me for purchasing TWO 250 GB hard drives so I can backup properly. Don't worry, none of them are WD drives. The WD was under a year old and I wasn't quite done putting all of my stuff on it to get to the backing up phase. LESSON LEARNED. I am sure the open clamshell has voided any warranty.

Thanks again, but not getting quick feed back from my buddie so you can close this ticket.

~~wiseleo~~ · 07-29-2008, 03:55 PM

Normal copy methods will fail with bad sectors, which is why it was slow.

My method is designed to copy drives with bad sectors. People like your buddy send me the drives after they give up, and this is the procedure I use on them. :)

turpdog · 08-06-2008, 07:34 AM

My buddy has and is using Active@ File Recovery and he is very slowy recovering the data. Unfortunately, this is not freeware but none of the other stuff was working on my drive. I am so happy he has that software as I believe I would have been SOL.

http://www.file-recovery.net/

Thanks again.

~~wiseleo~~ · 08-06-2008, 01:55 PM

I can only wish you luck the software actually finishes its work.

This would be a lot quicker on a healthy drive. :)

07-11-2008, 11:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Could the problem be a bad controller, may the hard disk still be holding all of the info and files? That is where I am at now. Does my previous post lead anyone to think that since the drive was recogized before and now no computer can recoginize the drive that it may be a bad controller? If it is a bad controller what would my next corse of action be?

07-11-2008, 02:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
myogesh85 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 15 OS: xp sp 2	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Hi, This is a tech from Western digital what i would suggest you to do is if the drive is under warranty please contact the data recovery partners and later you can replace the drive but if not you can rip open the cover on the drive and try connecting the SATA drive to any computer and recover the data I beleive this will solve this problem __________________ Yogesh. M (Kryptonhite)

07-12-2008, 06:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized OK myogesh85, thank you for replying to me. I really do appreciate it. I was hoping to hear that the data could be saved. I have found a page that explains how to take apart the WD MyBook Essential Edition 500GB here: http://rebootdaily.blogspot.com/2007...l-my-book.html Worked like a charm, Awesome instructions and had great pictures. Now I have to see if my Dell Dimension 4600 will take the SATA drive. Not sure until I open it up. Will post back with my results.

07-13-2008, 03:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized I have the drive in my desktop, power to it and using a serial ATA 2.0 cable to attach the SATA drive to the mobo. Still can't find the drive anywhere on my desktop. Do I need to change something in BIOS to be able to access the drive or do I need to install a driver or something? Trying to see if I can recover data off of the SATA drive. Never really had to do any of this stuff so am at a standstill. Any suggestions on how to access the drive, please....

07-14-2008, 09:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Hi, Is the other HDD in the Dell a SATA? Most likely, the WD is a SATA II drive (post the model number) - try using a jumper to make it run in SATA I mode.

07-14-2008, 01:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Hi Eneles, No, the Dell Diminsion 4600 is four years old so it has a Maxtor 80GB IDE drive. The mobo has two SATA slots, one called SATA one and I forget what the other slot said. I tried both. The WD 500GB SATA is: WD Caviar SE16 model number WD 5000KS I see by googling the model number that it is a Serial ATA-300. So, is what you are saying is that my mobo is older and can only handle a Serial ATA/150 interface? Does that mean my ATA 2.0 cable won't cut it? Would you know what I need to do if I need to make the drive go down to 150? Would this involve jumpers? One more thing, I think I am locked out of BIOS. During start up I have the options of F2 for set up and F12 for Booting. Only F12 works which makes me think I am locked out of BIOS. Will that be a problem? Thanks again for looking into my issue, I really appreciate the effort.

07-14-2008, 09:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized You can keep on using the same cable. But, the motherboard is probably not able to handle SATA II speed. The HDD should be "throttled" with a jumper to run as a SATA I (150MB/s) - OPT1 in the picture below: I don't know why you're "locked out" of BIOS - have you tried F1, Del etc? What happens when you press F2? Clearing CMOS might help: Get rid of static electricity by touching a radiator or bare metal on the computer case. Then unplug the computer from the wall outlet and open the case. Remove the little "coin-like" battery on the motherboard. Move the "clear CMOS" jumper on the motherboard from pins 1&2 to pins 2&3. Wait 30 minutes. Replace the jumper to pins 1&2. Put the battery back. Close the case and start the computer. Enter BIOS and choose "Load setup defaults" (or something similar) - save and exit BIOS.

07-16-2008, 02:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Hello eneles, Sorry I don't have anything new to post, I gave the hard drive to a coworker a couple of days ago and have not heard if he was able to access it. I intend to let everyone know what the results are because I could not find a ticket like this to review and not bother yourself. As for the BIOS issue, F1 doesn't do anything, F2 does nothing, Del makes a beeping noise and I have not tried any other buttons. F12 gets me into Booting options. When I keep pressing F2 repeatedly the keyboard locks up when the log in screen comes up. If I clear the CMOS it can not do anything detrimental to my system? Probably not since you suggested it...

07-16-2008, 05:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Clearing CMOS won't do any harm.

07-19-2008, 01:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized No luck with BIOS, and my friend was able to have his computer recognize the drive, seeing my computer had lost it. It is giving him the same message of the drive needing to be formated just as I had seen which made me start the TestDisc process. I hope to let you know that the data was recoverable after the weekend. Since my computer is having such difficulty I am hoping the friend will be able to copy the drive else where for me. Will let you know.

07-19-2008, 01:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized OK - good luck. Concerning the BIOS - Dell has a few different key combinations to enter BIOS. Have a look here: http://www.techsupportforum.com/cont...e/Tips/48.html

07-23-2008, 01:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
~~wiseleo~~ Troubled Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 461 OS: Win 2003 SP2 My System	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized OK, so we see the drive on another system... Good news! Now, image/clone it. Then run your utilities, if necessary. It might simply boot up once you complete the process. Don't try to fix a dead drive as it's too risky. Good luck :)

07-29-2008, 12:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Thank you eneles and wiseleo for the help, My friend that took the drive has little to tell me. Taking forever, which has dwindled any glimmers of hope of retriveing any data. I could not get it to be recognized on my desktop which led me to let a buddie try to access it. He was able to recognize the drive, not right away mind you, and it was asking to be rebooted again. I have started copying my music again, luckily I have most of the cds to copy from, and have given in to the realization that everything else is lost. You should be proud of me for purchasing TWO 250 GB hard drives so I can backup properly. Don't worry, none of them are WD drives. The WD was under a year old and I wasn't quite done putting all of my stuff on it to get to the backing up phase. LESSON LEARNED. I am sure the open clamshell has voided any warranty. Thanks again, but not getting quick feed back from my buddie so you can close this ticket.

07-29-2008, 03:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
~~wiseleo~~ Troubled Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 461 OS: Win 2003 SP2 My System	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized Normal copy methods will fail with bad sectors, which is why it was slow. My method is designed to copy drives with bad sectors. People like your buddy send me the drives after they give up, and this is the procedure I use on them. :)

08-06-2008, 07:34 AM	#16 (permalink)
turpdog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized My buddy has and is using Active@ File Recovery and he is very slowy recovering the data. Unfortunately, this is not freeware but none of the other stuff was working on my drive. I am so happy he has that software as I believe I would have been SOL. http://www.file-recovery.net/ Thanks again.

08-06-2008, 01:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
~~wiseleo~~ Troubled Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 461 OS: Win 2003 SP2 My System	Re: External Hard Drive not recoginized I can only wish you luck the software actually finishes its work. This would be a lot quicker on a healthy drive. :)