How to format external HDD with errors...

1jackjack · 03-14-2006, 08:37 AM

I have a LaCie 250Gb external usb2 HDD that has been working fine for ages. So recently, my computer has a spaz and I have to format and re-install XP, but I think I left this external on at the wrong times or something, because when I finally got windows working again, on the boot up, scandisk decided it needed to scan my external! It started finding errors, and deleting things, so I panicked and turned everything off.

After re-starting windows, when I turn on my external, it just keeps timing out and crashing everything... with wierd errors n stuff... I managed to change the autorun config to do nothing, because that was crashing my computer, before it even gave me access to the drive! Finally, I give up hope on it and just want to format and start again, but now when I turn it on, I get nothing; no autorun, nothing in my computer, nothing in Computer Management>Disk Management. I can't see it at all.

My other LaCie works fine.... so Im wondering what to do...
Thanks for any advice.

1jackjack · 03-14-2006, 09:10 AM

Ok so now, occassionally, the computer lets me see the drive, but neither defrag or scandisk are able to complete, and have no effect. Is there anyway to force an external to go through scndsk on next boot? Last time, it seemed to be fixing it...

Cheers

**linderman** · 03-15-2006, 05:25 AM

is your usb external an enclosure ?? in other words can you remove the standard ide hard drive from the external case >>> if so connect it directly to the computer like a standard drive and perfrom a chkdisk on it

1jackjack · 03-15-2006, 06:50 AM

Theres no way Im getting inside without breaking something and blatantly voiding any warranty... I bought it from ebuyer a few months ago, do you think I can ask for a replacement?

ps. whenever I can spot it in my computer (randomly), if I try any kind of format, it just freezes...

1jackjack · 03-19-2006, 03:59 PM

Is my external HDD definately a lost cause? (check print screen pic of dos trying to copy files from it)

~~whodat~~ · 03-19-2006, 05:03 PM

i seriously doubt if you bought this drive from an ebayer, that the person will take the external back for a refund.

1jackjack · 03-19-2006, 05:05 PM

not from an ebayer, from ebuyer.... and it's within 3 months, so I think Im ok. The only problem is (appart from losing my lifes work on the HDD) that on their returns policy, they say the item must be returned with all it's original packaging etc, which I blatently didnt keep...

~~whodat~~ · 03-19-2006, 05:14 PM

you might be surprised as to how easy the drive comes out of the enclosure, to be able to slave it onto your computer to retrieve your info.

03-14-2006, 08:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
1jackjack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 89 OS: Ubuntu 8.04 My System	How to format external HDD with errors... I have a LaCie 250Gb external usb2 HDD that has been working fine for ages. So recently, my computer has a spaz and I have to format and re-install XP, but I think I left this external on at the wrong times or something, because when I finally got windows working again, on the boot up, scandisk decided it needed to scan my external! It started finding errors, and deleting things, so I panicked and turned everything off. After re-starting windows, when I turn on my external, it just keeps timing out and crashing everything... with wierd errors n stuff... I managed to change the autorun config to do nothing, because that was crashing my computer, before it even gave me access to the drive! Finally, I give up hope on it and just want to format and start again, but now when I turn it on, I get nothing; no autorun, nothing in my computer, nothing in Computer Management>Disk Management. I can't see it at all. My other LaCie works fine.... so Im wondering what to do... Thanks for any advice. __________________ Ubooboo.net - Ubuntu fixes for newbs

03-14-2006, 09:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
1jackjack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 89 OS: Ubuntu 8.04 My System	Ok so now, occassionally, the computer lets me see the drive, but neither defrag or scandisk are able to complete, and have no effect. Is there anyway to force an external to go through scndsk on next boot? Last time, it seemed to be fixing it... Cheers __________________ Ubooboo.net - Ubuntu fixes for newbs

03-15-2006, 05:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	is your usb external an enclosure ?? in other words can you remove the standard ide hard drive from the external case >>> if so connect it directly to the computer like a standard drive and perfrom a chkdisk on it __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-15-2006, 06:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
1jackjack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 89 OS: Ubuntu 8.04 My System	Theres no way Im getting inside without breaking something and blatantly voiding any warranty... I bought it from ebuyer a few months ago, do you think I can ask for a replacement? ps. whenever I can spot it in my computer (randomly), if I try any kind of format, it just freezes... __________________ Ubooboo.net - Ubuntu fixes for newbs

03-19-2006, 05:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
1jackjack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 89 OS: Ubuntu 8.04 My System	not from an ebayer, from ebuyer.... and it's within 3 months, so I think Im ok. The only problem is (appart from losing my lifes work on the HDD) that on their returns policy, they say the item must be returned with all it's original packaging etc, which I blatently didnt keep... __________________ Ubooboo.net - Ubuntu fixes for newbs

03-19-2006, 05:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
~~whodat~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,931 OS: XP	i seriously doubt if you bought this drive from an ebayer, that the person will take the external back for a refund.

03-19-2006, 05:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
~~whodat~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,931 OS: XP	you might be surprised as to how easy the drive comes out of the enclosure, to be able to slave it onto your computer to retrieve your info.